Dedication of Mother Teresea's Treasures

Today was the dedication of the new Mother Terese's Treasures and Newburgh Food Pantry.

Eight years ago when a local neighborhood grocery decided to close, there was one who thought there was a perfect use for the store. Margaret suggested to Father Joe that it could be used to house the Newburgh Food Pantry. The food pantry had outgrown it's present location and needed a larger space to operated. She thought half of the store could be used for the food pantry while the other half could be opened as a thrift shop with the donations of those wanting to dispose of unwanted clothing, linens, toys or small appliances. The resale of these slightly used items would be what paid for the utilities, the property, and upkeep of the building to support the food pantry.

So here we are 8 years later. The thrift shop paid for itself and more. It outgrew the shop and the store was in disrepair and would cost a more to fix than to build a new shop. So it was that 6 months ago the work began and culminated today in the dedication by Bishop Gettelfinger.

We gathered in the new parking lot as a community of faith, praying for the blessing of a building that has contributed much to community of Saint John the Baptist Parish and to the community of Newburgh as a whole.

During the bishop's words I noticed a butterfly light on the pavement. As a church of signs, I saw this as an affirmation of renewal, rebirth. We have a commission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for all according to their needs. I saw the butterfly as a sign during this Easter season as Christ in our midst.

And though Margaret could not be with us today, her memory will always be a treasured part of what Mother Teresa's Treasures is meant to be. This endeavor is meant to be a visible witness to all of the principle of Christian Charity. The gift of love and generosity to all through our Lord Jesus Christ. We, who were privileged to know Margaret, have her legacy to hand on to others.

For this opportunity to have been able to share in this for this eight years, I feel very privileged. Through Margaret's wisdom and diligence, we have been shown that the will of God can be carried out in the smallest corner of this world. And because of this we are able to touch the lives of many.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!