The Need To Be Generous

Spring has begun! The month of May is upon us. The rain showers
(and snow!) of April bring the flowers of May – I hope!

I cannot forget the experience of a year ago and throughout the past year. In April-May 2020 we were facing some dark days as COVID-19 was causing great stress in our local area. We were learning about “lock-down” and quarantines. We watched and heard news about Italy and Spain being devastated by infections. New York City, too was being overwhelmed.

“Essential workers” at meat packing plants, canning factories, other food processing facilities, grocery stores, hospitals, etc., here in Brown County and around the country, were becoming infected with the virus at an alarming rate. Our parish had some of the first funerals for deaths associated with the coronavirus in Green Bay. In total we have had more than 20 coronavirus deaths of parishioners of St. Willebrord. About three quarters of the deaths were among our Hispanic sisters and brothers, and most of the others in our community of elders. In one case, an elderly husband died, and as we waited for the wife to recover from the virus in order to be present at her husband’s funeral, she too, died. We had a double funeral for the husband and wife, married for more than 60 years.

During those late spring months, we learned how to respond to families who were in “COVID crisis.” Sometimes both husband/father and wife/mother were sick and quarantined. The sick could not leave their houses, apartments, and/or trailers for a couple of weeks. We took requests for food, cleaning supplies and household products. We made lists and sent people shopping for them and then to deliver them. Often they simply rang the doorbell and stepped away, greeting the sick persons from distance. Thankfully, so many of those people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s recovered. But, their families and especially their children, endured weeks of worry and uncertainty.

In that time we asked you for help. We received donations of food, cleaning supplies, masks, and money. With those donations our parish community helped many families. We supplied 100’s of masks to those who needed them. Parishioners have continued to make and donate masks to those who need them.

I conclude this article repeating my gratitude to all of you who have responded generously to the needs of others. Such generosity is what we expect and need from people of faith. Stay attentive! The need for you to be generous has not ended.

Peace, Fr. Andy