This story was written as a guest post for Chalice US, a Catholic charity which sponsors children and families in need throughout the world.
Perhaps it’s obvious that blessings should spill from a First Communion. But our family could not have anticipated the truly grace-full story that follows.
Our eldest son’s First Communion was a blessed day; one we will never forget. The Mass, the first our parish conducted outdoors due to the pandemic, was beautiful in its open-air simplicity. He was one of three boys receiving his First Holy Communion, and was excited, eager, and somewhat overwhelmed to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
With the pandemic, our family’s get-together after Mass was small. Opening gifts – always a hit for an eight-year-old (and his two younger siblings) – was a highlight. While he received many thoughtful gifts to encourage his blossoming faith, his Godfather and Aunt’s made a special impression on him, and upon our entire family.
The gift arrived in a beautifully designed 9×12 envelope – his talented Aunt always gives things a special touch. Upon opening it, he found two checks inside – one for him to add to his bank account and one with special instructions:
Though simple in concept, the message was profound, linking the virtues of charity and Catholic faith. It set the stage for a beautiful lesson for our son and our family regarding faith and the power of giving.
Charity – the virtue by which we love ourselves and our neighbor for the sake of God – is something we try to live every day in our family. Our son, who has a big heart, has had the opportunity to volunteer and discover the blessings that come with giving. With this new check burning a hole in his pocket, he couldn’t wait to get to work helping people.
As we discussed options for his gift, he realized is that giving is not as simple as it sounds. “But Mom, there are so many great charities that could use this money!” he exclaimed. A lesson that we adults know all too well.
We worked with him to put together a list of what to look for in a charity. First, he wanted a “really Catholic” charity. It needed to live out Catholic virtues throughout its ministry, practicing values like protecting life. Second, it needed to help the poor in a visible and impactful way.
With a little guidance from me, he logged into our computer and began his search. Starting with articles and reviews about Catholic charities, he narrowed his list based on his goal of helping the poor with his donation.
One charity kept coming to the top of his list: Chalice. It was a new charity for us, though research demonstrated its significant presence in Canada. Visiting the website – both the Canadian and US versions – we were met with stories and pictures of real impact on children and families in developing countries, as well as – and for him this was key – a focus on faith. He even saw quotes from Saints he knows! In his words, “Of all the Catholic charities, Chalice was the one that focused on our Catholic faith the most in addition to helping the poor.”
While our son (and our entire family), wanted to sponsor a child, he needed a one-time donation for his check. He was drawn to Chalice’s healthcare program because, “Everyone needs to be healthy – even more than they need food.” Feeling strongly about having found the right fit, he wrote a note to Chalice and sent in his check – the snail mail way. I might add, had he sent an electronic donation that likely would have been the end of the story.
But the story grows richer. A few weeks after he mailed his donation, he received a two-page personal letter from Father Rich LoBianco, the US National Director of Chalice, thanking him for his contribution.
“Coming to the Table of Jesus for the first time, and nourished by his love and goodness in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, you in turn nourished the lives of our children and families we serve in our Chalice mission, in fifteen countries at 57 mission sites around our world,” Father LoBianco wrote. He expressed the organization’s gratitude for our son’s “gift from the heart” and asked if he would be willing to be featured in a Chalice e-newsletter. Our son’s smile was ear-to-ear. And to Father’s request, a resounding, “Yes!!”
To say that Father LoBianco’s letter made a significant impact on our son is an understatement. Receiving that letter strengthened his belief in the power of giving, and in no small way confirmed the goodness and beauty of his Catholic faith. It opened his heart to listen to God’s future calls to help others, knowing that with charity and God’s grace, anything is possible.
The letter also demonstrated the love and faith with which Chalice carries out its mission. For a National Director to reach out and make such a difference in our son’s life showed us the heart with which Chalice does its work. It became clear to us that the Holy Ghost had been working from the start, beginning with the Sacrament of Eucharist, to lead our entire family to this organization.
Our family has since sponsored a child. What began as a First Communion gift blossomed into what we hope will be lasting impact in a child’s life – and undoubtedly a lasting impact on our son and family.
So many unexpected blessings have flowed through this exchange. And our family’s personal story doesn’t begin to touch on the countless graces which come from the work of Chalice throughout the world, helping children and families grow in Christ and live to their fullest potential.
Through this experience we have been witnesses to the work of the Holy Ghost in our midst. It is humbling, and beautiful.
