As a lifelong member of my local church in New York City, I have been blessed to know some incredible individuals; these relationships have made me into a stronger person, allowing me to deepen my faith in God and feel empowered as a young woman.
One man in particular, Father Bob, has truly shaped me into the determined person I am today.
I first met Father Bob on a typical Saturday morning at my parish’s food pantry. He walked through the door with a captivating smile on his face, instantly radiating warmth and sincerity. The thing that struck me most about him was his immediate willingness to help distribute food to the large crowd that was lined up outside.
Rather than giving a quick introduction of himself and leaving, Father Bob got to work; he packaged cans of food, hauled heavy boxes, and insisted on delivering bags to the customers outside. Father Bob’s honest desire to assist those in need was infectious. His spirited presence encouraged every volunteer to recognize how our weekly service hours were immensely altering the lives of countless homeless individuals.
I never expected that someone could impact me so profoundly, and I never anticipated that such an individual would have been so different from me. Father Bob and I not only had a significant gap in age, but our lifestyles seemed to be polar opposites.
He spent the majority of his time in prayer and serving within the parish, while my days mainly consisted of attending soccer practices and spending time with my family. Through weekly discussions at the food pantry, our differences began to intermingle, causing a uniquely indestructible connection to form between us.
Every Saturday morning, I looked forward to having meaningful conversations with Father Bob. From discussing the latest statistics of my high school soccer team to reminiscing the day he officiated the marriage of my aunt, I gained both joy and wisdom from such casual encounters.
Father Bob also shared his vocal talents with me; while sorting donations or labeling boxes, he would rattle off countless melodies from 1970’s icons. Our favorite tune to sing was “Working My Way Back to You” by The Spinners, and even the shyest volunteers joined our impromptu concerts with enthusiasm.
These lighthearted moments with Father Bob catalyzed my yearning to not only dedicate my life to service, but to approach every situation with an attitude of joy.
I also received priceless advice from Father Bob. In every conversation, he would emphasize the necessity to pursue my passions wholeheartedly, and his words truly registered within my mind. Each time I spoke with him, I became eager to seek meaning within my soul and reach out into the world around me.
Father Bob’s peaceful, charitable lifestyle inspired me to devote more of my time to serving those around me, facilitating my drive to lead others to a similar path of compassion. After just ten minutes of conversation with Father Bob, I felt compelled to continue seeking new service opportunities.
Father Bob has allowed me to perceive my surroundings in a new light, shaping my appreciation for the incredible wonders of my environment. His words have created a solid foundation for my life mission: to constantly assist others to the maximum of my abilities.
Though we initially seemed entirely dissimilar, Father Bob and I were more alike than I could have possibly imagined. His genuine devotion to the betterment of society has remained an enduring source of inspiration in my life, and his presence continues to propel my passion for community service.