COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | January 16, 2018
7
On a Firm Foundation
Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation
of Santa Clara County
[email protected]
The first Christmas without my
mom. My mom, Winona Amaya Quilici,
went to heaven in October. I prayed
for God to welcome her. She had not
been fully present for some time, and
she enjoyed no great qualify of life. I
am joyful that she is without pain and
anxiousness. And yet…
The Mass of the Resurrection we had
for her was just perfect. It was held at
Saint Justin, where I grew up and my
family faith was nurtured. My father
literally helped build that building. My
sister Corey was the fi rst baby baptized
there in 1956.
The main celebrant was Monsignor
Terry Sullivan. When he was ordained
in 1964, he was assigned to Saint Justin.
He has participated in many celebra-
tions for my family over these decades.
Father Chris Bransfi eld, a good friend
and current pastor of Saint Justin,
concelebrated, along with my pastor,
The extended Quilici Family, gathered to celebrate.
Father Rick Rodoni, who was in my little
brother’s class at Saint Justin. We were
surrounded by friends, clergy, religious,
and lay, and our large and wonderful
extended family. It was a joy fi lled, faith
fi lled Mass, all that I had envisioned.
And yet…
After my mom’s Mass, family went
home and we entered into Advent, and
the Christmas “party” season. Those
who know me know that I am truly a
“party animal.” I love the food, music,
and mostly just the gathering. And yet…
“Food For Jesus” at Saint Julie Billiart Parish
Children in the Faith Formation
program, their parents and members
of Saint Julie’s parish community re-
sponded magnanimously to the “Food
for Jesus” campaign organized by Saint
Julie’s Parish. The Faith Formation and
Liturgy Committee distributed empty
grocery bags with a list of items needed
for the Food Pantry. It was a way of
involving the whole community in the
distribution of Christmas baskets to the
clients of the Food Pantry. Families
fi lled the grocery bags with a prayer.
The program named “Food for Je-
sus” was intended to feed Jesus who
visits us in the poor and needy. More
than 400 grocery bags filled with
canned and other non-perishable food
items were brought to Mass and placed
before the altar as part of their Off er-
tory gift. One parishioner remarked, “It
is a sight to behold, if this outpouring
of generosity and goodness would not
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bring tears of joy, what would?”
This program was part of Saint Ju-
lie’s Advent theme of witnessing faith
by “Sharing the Journey.”
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This year I just didn’t feel it. I was
baffl ed. On the one hand I was truly
joyful and grateful that my mom was at
peace. Yet I found myself feeling a void.
In a conversation with my daughter,
Kacey, we concluded that we were both
facing the fi nality of it. Kacey had been
fortunate to really KNOW all four of her
grandparents. From them she received
great love and has life forming memo-
ries. My mom was the last to leave us.
Father Warwick James once said
something I have quoted often, and now
hits the mark with me. He said “When
you have faith and a loved one dies, it
does not mean that you don’t grieve. It
means that you do not despair.” While
I experience unexplained sadness, I am
mostly fi lled with joy, for the gift of my
mom, and the fact that she’s in heaven.
In his beautiful homily, Father Chris
suggested this way to honor my mom:
“To do our best to live with a love that
always sees the good in the other and
that sees where our help is needed; and
to live with a passion for life that will
bring all of us one day to rejoice together
in God’s eternal kingdom. If we do, just
imagine what a marvelous reunion we
shall have!”
This column is titled “On a Firm
Foundation.” I stand on a fi rm founda-
tion because of my parents. This is their
legacy, the FOREVER VALUE that they
gave to us through unwavering love.
I am grateful. I will work to exhibit my
gratitude in my approach to life. I will
look forward to the marvelous reunion.
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