SALTY AND LIGHTY
[From time to time, I like to write a story, to try to capture the message of the gospel or one of the readings. So today I wrote this short story – entitled SALTY and LIGHTY. It uses the theme of the
gospel call to all of us to be salt and light.]
Once upon a time, there were two brothers: Wally and
Willie. Twins ….
Wally liked his name when people called him “Wally” – but
not when people called him “Walter” his baptismal name. Wally was a Wally –
funny – sweet – always had a smile - ever
on his face. Wally.
His twin brother Willie – preferred being called “Willie”
and not William – his baptismal name - but being 12
minutes older than his brother Wally – he seemed to be a bit more
serious – than his brother Wally – but not that much – yet for reasons unknown
– these things are mysterious - people
tended to call him the more formal name of William – but he preferred Willie.
They were only brothers – twins - the delight of their mom and dad’s lives - Millie
and Mike.
They went to the same grammar school, St. Ursula’s – the
same high school – St. Christopher’s – and the same college – St. Anselm’s
University.
Wally - after graduation with a business degree – went to
work for K-Mart – Wall-Mart wasn’t around
yet. He did that and he did well – but his dream was to own his own business –
and finally he spotted a Delicatessen for sale – the owner a Norwegian – who wanted
to retire and move to Florida.
It worked. Wally’s Deli – was extremely successful. People loved working for him. He made great
subs – long before Subway. He knew people wanted the best cold cuts – Boar’s
Head – and the best breads and spreads.
His Deli had a great catering service and put together at least through
the years 10,000 after baptism parties,
showers, Super Bowl parties, retirement parties, etc. etc. etc. parties.
Willie went a different route – going into the Marines –
having gone into the ROTC program at St. Alselm’s University. He was in Vietnam
– was wounded – but not that serious. But
seeing too many wounded warriors – he set his sights on becoming a psychologist
– in the military – and that is what he
did with his life. Too many soldiers were in too many dark places.
After 20 plus years in the marines, Willie moved back to
New Jersey – just a block away from Wally – when he retired.
The parish church they both went to needed ushers – so
Willie signed up for the 10:30 Mass each Sunday – and he talked Wally into
joining him.
A funny thing happened to All Saints Church – once these two
guys – Wally and Wille - had really worked their way into the 10:30 Mass.
Attendance at that Mass went up – new customers – as well
as switchers from the 8:30 and the 12:30 Masses.
It took a while for parishioners to notice this. It took a while longer for the pastor – the
one priest in this small New Jersey parish – to notice this subtle change.
Wally and Willie didn’t see it happening. They were too
busy ushering.
But it was happening.
Hospitalty – the best wheel chair spots for those in
wheel chairs and their attendants – humor – knowing names – and who goes with
whom – all were secrets of the usher job description.
And the pastor realized it was Wally and Willie – the
best ushers he ever had. People – without knowing it – felt much more at home
at the 10:30 Sunday Mass. The pastor did as well. For some reason his sermons were slightly
more joyful, funny, hospitable, insightful at the 10:30.
One Sunday there – it was a game changer – it was a name
changer. The gospel was from Matthew – from the Sermon on the Mount. It was about
the moment Jesus told his disciples they are to be salt and light – to make a
difference wherever they go – as salt does and as light does – making subtle changes to food and to the
room. Well, the pastor was talking to
Wally and Willie after Mass and blurted out: “Wally and Willie you guys are
like salt and light around here. I’m going to call you Salty and Lighty.”
“Who’s who?” said, Wally to the Pastor.
“Wally, obviously, you’re Salty.”
Wally, Willie and the Pastor all laughed, but from that
day forward, Salty and Lighty – were Salty and Lighty – much more than Wally and Willie.
Now things change.
Salty and Lighty, Willie and Wally, both decided to go to
Florida for the month of February – renting condo’s in the Port St. Lucie area
– they both were losers – being Mets fans. Their wives had friends in that area
as well.
Their kids – no twins – but 3 kids each – were long gone
and married. So, a month away was a great winter recipe for both of them and
their marriages.
Yes – wow did their parish back north in New Jersey miss
Salty and Lighty big time when they were
gone – each February.
What people also slowly discovered – well not all - you’d have to go to the local hospital – to
possibly spot this - both gave two days every week – except February – to usher
people – in wheel chairs and what have you up and around the hospital – as
volunteers – wearing rich blue blazers.
And wow did they make a difference in the hospital those
Monday’s and Tuesday’s – their 2 Volunteer days.
P.S. When the
pastor was retiring – the party being catered by Wally’s Son’s Deli – the
pastor publicly thanked Wally and Willie
– Salty and Lighty - as the best ushers
he’s ever experienced. And they got a standing ovation – bigger than the Pastor
got. And the pastor added: “If the diocese ever has an Ushers Hall of Fame for
churches or the diocese – I’m putting your names in for the first ballot. Thank
you Salty and Lighty.”
