Success Stories
One Snowy Night
by Donna Pasquesi
One winter evening I received a phone call from Dawn, the Project Gabriel Coordinator from our neighboring parish, Prince of Peace. Dawn was generous beyond words. A Prince of Peace family wanted to adopt a Mom for Christmas. After doing a quick assessment of their Mom’s needs, Dawn decided that St. Peter’s Mom would benefit more from this family’s generosity.
That Angel Gabriel is really a character! The timing of Dawn's phone call and the snowstorm was uncanny! When Bernadette, the lead Angel for this team, contacted our Mom to ask what special Christmas gifts we could get for the children, she responded what they really needed was boots, snow pants and jackets. Our Mom had intended to buy the snow gear, but her employer had just informed her that her paycheck would be a week late. That day we had a foot of snow! In blizzard conditions, Bernadette drove to Walmart, purchased and then delivered the items. I’m sure Bernadette was driving a snow sled led by a team of huskies with the Angel Gabriel himself perched on the lead dog’s shoulder!
The family’s gratitude moved Bernadette to tears. Our Mom and her children were overwhelmed. “Now we can go out in the snow and play!” “These are the best boots I ever saw!” Because the items were purchased and delivered before I knew how much our sponsoring family was donating, Bernadette said she didn't care if the total cost exceeded the amount of the donation. She would be happy to donate the remainder. My deepest gratitude and thanks to Dawn and Bernadette for their leadership, initiative and dedication to this Ministry. The whole story and everyone's selflessness gives me goose bumps!
St. Peter’s Mom is a remarkable woman. She is a young mother of four, two boys 8 and 5 and two girls 7 and 3, and a brand new infant son born in December, 2006. She is a full-time night student at Robert Morris College, and works full time at a day-care center. Her home is immaculate and the children are well mannered and respectful.
It is customary for a Gabriel Angel to pray when visiting a Mom. Before we began to pray on the evening we delivered some of these gifts, I asked if the children could join us. When called, they came running from four corners of the house, faces beaming! We stood in a circle, joined hands and the oldest daughter led us in the Our Father. “…give us this day our daily bread…” took on a profound reality in their living room that evening.
One of the rewards of serving in this Ministry has been sharing this kind of experience. The world is a better place because of people like this Prince of Peace family and all of our St. Peter parishioners who have donated infant furniture and apparel in anticipation of this little angel's arrival. They are truly a source of love and hope.
Thank you from all of the Project Gabriel volunteers for your love and support.
Volunteer and donation information:
donnapasquesi[at]ameritech.net
(847) 838-1175