Chapter Three

Father turned off the light switch in his room and walked out of his bedroom. He was about to make his morning calls to all of his brothers and sisters in Christ, as he did every morning. The care home attendants sometimes referred to him as Doctor Sunshine. Not only did he exude an aura of light, the words he prescribed shone into everyone’s spirits, lighting them up with radiance. One could immediately tell if Father had visited one of the residents by the smile and light in their eyes.

“My gosh Father, you sure look handsome and debonair this morning,” said Nurse Frowler. “And that yellow geranium in your lapel…wow!”

“Thank you, Dianne, I just feel it’s the right time to get dressed up a bit. This is going to be a special day for me.”

“Oh, what is happening?”

“I’m not sure yet, but we shall see. You have a nice day now, and I just want to say how proud I am of you, by the way you look over all your sheep. You are so caring, and the Lord will bless you richly for that.”

“Why, thank you, Father. I really do love them all.”

“Yes, it shows and they feel it too. They are always a little sad when you have your two days off. They immediately miss the love you give them.”

Dianne’s face turned a little pink as she blushed over Father’s outpouring of good words.

“Well, thank you again Father. That sure makes my day.”

“And mine too, just to see your smiling face.”

Dianne’s face turned even rosier.

Father walked down the hallway towards the chapel, stopping at each room for a brief moment. When he came to Edith’s room he stopped at the doorway and peered in to see her sitting in her chair. Edith was perhaps his favourite resident, if he was cornered to admit to having one. She was in her nineties and still very spry. He loved the way she would go on and on, always friendly, kind and of good cheer. Her face was covered with laugh lines and over the years, they had worked their way over the rest of her body that seemed to jiggle along with her laughing. All of the exposed skin on her neck, hands and arms was shriveled and wrinkled. She reminded Father of a raisin. He smiled only briefly at the thought and then quickly reflected compassion. He could see she was not in good humour.

“Good morning, Edith, how is that tooth abscess?”

“Oh Father, not too well,” she replied, holding her hand to the side of her cheek.

Father divined her suffering. He could see the pain in her eyes and walked over to her side. “The Lord will heal this Edith, trust in Him with all your heart. Perhaps He wants you to suffer like He does, for all the sins of mankind. Offer your pain and sorrow up to Him.”

Father raised his hand and put it against her hand that was favouring her cheek. “Oh, heavenly Father, You have told us that where two or three are gathered in Your name, that you will be present amongst us. We ask you to accept the pain and suffering of our sister, Edith, and offer it up to You, that it may not go in vain. But we now ask You, Father, to heal our sister.

“Give her peace and rest. Fill her to overflowing with Your love. I ask You, Jesus, in Your name and by Your stripes that You heal our sister. We ask this, Father, and we trust in Your mercy. Thank You, Father.” Father Engelmann then made the sign of the cross over Edith’s hand just outside the abscessed tooth.

“Thank you, Father. I do believe it is feeling better.”

“Thank you, Jesus,” said Father. “Just trust in Him, Edith, He won’t let you down. I will see you at Mass this morning; we will sing praise and glory to our Father. He is all good and holy.”

“Yes, I am looking forward to the Mass, Father, it starts my day out so nice.”

Father winked at Edith, turned and left.

“Good morning Johnny, know how to play that new song, yet?”

“No problem, Father, it came to me as easy as pie. I’ll play it at Bible study later this morning. Hey, what’s with the new duds, going to a wedding?”

Father smiled, “Yes, I just might be.”

“What do you mean ‘might be’?”

Father kept on smiling, like the cat that swallowed the canary. He just winked, raised his hand and waved as he strolled along, “See you at Mass, Johnny.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Padre.”

Father’s presence in the care home was a godsend. The transformation that took place was almost immediately miraculous. Many of the residents, who would normally just sit around, watch a little TV and sleep most of the day, were now fully awake, raring to go. It was like they had discovered the secret of youth. Most of them seemed years younger, more alert than they had been for years and years. Prayer at all meal times, Mass every morning, Bible study and singing daily, alternating between morning and afternoon, were activities that rejuvenated their hearts. In between, were exercises and crafts that the care home provided, further stimulating their lives.

In addition to all that, they had established a buddy system, where one resident of better health and mobility would look after another less able. It not only helped out the staff, but by the end of day, the residents were really tired, not out of boredom or to hurry to their death, but really honest to goodness tired from the day’s activities.

Perhaps what was most beneficial was the increased human contact. The neighbours who initially came for the Mass, were so overtaken by the residents that they stayed to visit afterwards and became good friends. As well, more and more relatives and children were visiting due to Father’s tours and speeches and the monthly magazine. As Johnny would say, “Boy, things are really hopping around this old joint, Padre!”

After Father got everything prepared in the sacristy for the morning Mass, he went into the chapel and knelt down before the altar. He crossed himself and began to pray. There were so many needs, so much suffering. He prayed for Henry, Jenny, and Camilla that the good Lord would restore their lives and grant their wishes. He felt overwhelmed by the circumstances in their lives and knew that out of turmoil, tragedy and heartache, some good had to come.

Finally, Father prayed for people to replace him, to take charge and keep up what had been started. After almost an hour of praising and thanking the Lord for His blessings and mercy, Father sensed it was time for breakfast. The clock on the wall proved him to be correct. He once again crossed himself, genuflected, and walked out of the chapel.

He heard the loud chattering as he approached the dining room. Father liked to hear his sheep babbling. It was healthy. He even enjoyed it when two or three of them would get into a heated discussion. A little anger and passion was good for the soul. It got the blood moving.

When Father walked in, everyone was present and seated. As soon as they saw him, howling, hooting, and whistling erupted. Angie dropped an egg in the kitchen and ran into the room to see what was going on. She’d never heard such carousing.

“Are you all drinking orange juice or what?!” she asked, with a chuckle.

“So Father, what’s the occasion?” asked Helen.

“Yes Father, what’s going on?” others asked as well, almost in unison. All attention was focused on Father and his different attire.

There was a long silence. Father didn’t know what to say, he had an idea of what was going on, but wasn’t certain. Also, he didn’t want to alarm anyone.

“You haven’t found a girlfriend, have you?” Johnny blurted out, breaking the ice and giving Father an answer to everyone’s interest in his tan suit.

“Yes, yes, Johnny, that’s right. I was thinking about my sweetheart. Next week will be our anniversary. If my wife Anna were alive, we would be celebrating our 78th anniversary.”

“Oh my,” muttered several of the residents.

“I thought I would try out the wedding suit I wore when we married, to see if it still fits.”

“Well, it looks great on you, Father. You are a very handsome man,” said Angie, as she turned and went back to kitchen. Not a moment too late as one of the frying pans was overheating and a little smoke drifted out into the dining room. She almost slipped on the broken egg on the floor as well.

Johnny’s remarks seemed to pacify everyone’s interest in the suit and before any more prodding took place, Father said, “Let us say grace.

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…,” Father began.

The Catholic residents crossed themselves like Father, while the three or four of them who weren’t Catholic politely and respectively bowed their heads and brought their hands together in prayer.

“Dear heavenly Father, we ask you to bless the food our sister Angie has so lovingly prepared…”

Angie rushed in again just as Father got started.

“And, oh Father, I specially ask You to pour out Your blessings on us all. Help us to realize how important each and every one of us is to each other. Help us all to look after one another and not wait for others to start. Let us all take initiative. We are all so capable and each of us has something to offer. There are so many needs, so much hurt and suffering, give us the strength and fortitude to do Your will. We are all leaders, all capable of taking charge in some way. Grant us, oh Lord, to be beacons, not only for this day, but for the rest of each and every one of our days that You give us. We ask this, Jesus, in Your name. Amen. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Father said the prayer with such fervour and pleading that a long silence fell over the room. If it had not been for Johnny, perhaps more people at the table might have figured out what Father was trying to say.

“Hey, Angie, let’s get on with it, I’m starving and I need a lot of energy to play that piano, you know, and keep up with all these teenagers!”

“Yeah, yeah, just for that outburst, you will be served last,” countered Angie, as she scurried back into the kitchen.

Everyone unfolded their napkins and adjusted their chair in preparation for breakfast; everyone, except Margaret. She reached her hand out towards Father. Father saw it coming and extended his hand towards hers. Not everyone noticed or heard the exchange which followed when their hands touched one another.

“I shall miss you dearly, Father.”

They just stared at one another as tears welled up in their eyes.