I am one of the many irritated-bordering-on-furious American Catholics dealing with the recent news stories about certain U.S. Bishops deciding to ignore virtually all other DIRE social issues (unemployment, hunger, natural disaster, home loss, etc) and kvetch over Catholics who voted for Obama (or any not-explicity-pro-life candidate.) Furthermore, they are making various threats of *war* against the future administration if their *trump card* issue is not dealt with to their liking.

I do not wish to get into an argument of pro-whatver. My point here, is that their proclamations do nothing but create more division in our own church, and our own communities, which are already suffering financially and emotionally due to the current economic crisis and resulting plagues of unemployment, hunger, domestic violence, crime, etc. In no way does their yammering directly help the suffering of anyone, whether not-yet-born or already here.

The hierarchy has ALWAYS been my sticking point; the area where I find my faith wobbling. And then this pre- and post-election noise from the fellows in fancy dress and funny hats...oh man, it really took me to the edge of my level of trust and commitment.

Today, I went to a local low-price grocery store to stock up on some essential pantry items. I saw a slightly familiar-looking man and his wife each grab a grocery cart and start hefting cases of yams, apple sauce, stuffing mix, green beans, and cranberry jelly into the carts. I could only guess that perhaps they were part of a church food pantry, organizing a dinner for the needy for Thanksgiving.

After I checked out of the store, the couple was carefully loading their stacks of canned goods into their car, parked next to mine.

Are you making a community dinner for Thanksgiving, I asked.

Well, sort of, the man replied. These are for Thanksgiving baskets for needy familes.

Oh, what church are you with, I continued.

As it turned out, the couple was from MY parish! The man runs the food pantry program here in Arlington Heights that benefits our *sister* parish on the South Side of Chicago. Our parish collects food each month, and volunteers bag it up and drive vans down to the parish food pantry, where the food and household items are distributed to all comunity residents in need - not just parish members.

We are putting the baskets together after 7:30 mass on Sunday, the man explained.

Maybe I will come by to help, I offered. See you then!

I am humbled and grateful for the reminder of WHO and WHAT church really is: regular people helping other people.