This past Saturday, we were celebrating Mass with our sister parish, Holy Name of Jesus at St. Robert of Newminster . We gathered to honor 20 years of sharing the needs of each parish. Holy Name parish has a large number of first and second-generation Hispanic families. The school, San Juan Diego Academy, has 179 students. We were one people, one voice and one faith. The group was a far cry from the Michigan rehabilitation center for the blind of twenty years ago.
I was behind two older Black clients in the cafeteria as they were having a conversation about another client.
“He is a real n……”
“He took the bus back to Detroit.”
“He will be back when his money runs out.”
Interrupting them, I inquired,
“Should we be talking about a fellow client that way?”
They stopped, paused and one of the men replied.
“We can call a brother that, but you can’t.”
I have heard my family members use racial slurs to describe a family member as a Pollock or a thrifty Plaid A…
I have heard a young man give a cook at a restaurant grief because the wrong condiment was on the salad.
Another time, I observed a cashier take money from her pocket to help a customer pay a food bill.
I have had the door of a building shut in my face after two people had entered in front of me.
Other times, a young person has raced to a door to open ahead of me and give a greeting such as , “Have a good day.”
We all have a choice to make in our attitude and words with others; don’t let pride get in the way. Are we the cause of discord or of healing? Do we see the people around us, treating each person as we would like to be treated? Are we the first to reach out to make a stranger’s day brighter?
By being present in the moment, we can make the day pleasant for others and ourselves. Harmony and conflicts begin with me. What path will you choose?
A “me first” doesn’t work.
Others have rights too.
I am not the only one in this world.
Take a pause , look around.
Others have rights too.
Be kind, reach out first.
We are not alone.
Reach out to others.
This world was created by God for all.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 4/27/26
traveling up and down the blind highway 