During this difficult time, I frequently reflect on important, or especially fun moments in my life. St. Matthew played an important part in many of those moments. Ten years ago, my husband, Jack, was assistant minister during Pastor Ingrid’s popular Blessing of the Animals, in honor of St. Francis.
After the service Jack and I had a very long day ahead of us. The bright morning weather deteriorated to grey, with heavy rain. My mother had just been established in an assisted living facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania. It was our plan to spend the day with her. The visit went well, however, the rainy ride home was treacherous, so we were delighted to turn into our driveway. As we did so, our headlights flashed on a small creature huddled in the recesses of the garage door. The thing ran upon being spotted.
Just before bed that night I heard plaintive animal cries outside our bedroom window. I called Jack in to validate what I was hearing. He said he couldn’t hear anything. (Was it the fact that we already had a cat and a dog?). I looked him in the eye and said, “You can’t bless the animals in the morning, and leave one to die at night!” Moments later, Jack, dripping wet was holding a golf umbrella over me while I shook a food can and called for the kitten. Finally, a starving two-pound cat flew out of the ornamental grass and headed straight for the food bowl. A visit to the vet affirmed that he was loaded with parasites. That was taken care of. Stormy is now ten years old and quite a dapper grey and white gentleman. Maybe we should have named him Francis.
—Lorraine Horton
Note: Please share your “Special St. Matthew Moment” in our next issue by emailing the office.