> Perils of a Catholic Upbringing
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> As I walked down the busy sidewalk with my wife, knowing I was late for Mass
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> my eyes fell upon one of those unfortunate ragged vagabonds that are found in every city these days.
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> Some people turned to stare. Others quickly looked away as if the sight would somehow contaminate them.
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> Recalling my old pastor, Father Riley, who always admonished me to "care for the sick,
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> feed the hungry and clothe the naked",
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> I was moved by some powerful inner urge to reach out to this unfortunate person.
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> Wearing what can only be described as rags, carrying her treasured worldly possessions in two plastic bags,
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> my heart was touched by this person's condition.
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> Yes, where some people saw only rags,
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> I saw a true, hidden beauty.
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> A small voice inside my head called out
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> "Reach out ... reach out ... and touch this person!"
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> image001.jpg
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> So I did.
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> image002.jpg
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> I won't be at Mass this week.
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> Virus-free.
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