CaDan
18th September 2004, 05:33 PM
From today's Minneapolis StarTribune, a story about the Franciscan Brothers of Peace. "McGee" is Brother Hilary Mcgee. The full story can be found at http://www.startribune.com/stories/389/4972303.html , but they require one of those silly registration things.
And despite the seriousness of their work, the brothers offer one of God's most important gifts -- a little humor. McGee, especially, is known for his standup-comic style.
At his daily runs to Rainbow Foods to pick up day-old sweets and breads otherwise destined for the trash bin, McGee draws curious looks when he pushes his carts out to the van.
"It's my first day shoplifting, how am I doing?" he once asked an onlooker, only to ask another shopper: "Is my slip showing?"
"God has generously given me the gift of humor," he said. "And a catchy phrase can lift the spirit and make a joyful noise to the Lord."
With that, Brother Hilary is off to a low-income public housing high-rise in downtown St. Paul, where people on fixed incomes are waiting by the door to help him unload another van full of cakes and bread.
"We're only eight guys, and sometimes you don't think eight guys can get much done," McGee said. "But one thing we know we can always deliver is hope. I'm amazingly proud to be part of a community that doesn't preach the Gospels or read the Gospels, but lives the Gospels. It's an exciting and very beautiful way of life."
And despite the seriousness of their work, the brothers offer one of God's most important gifts -- a little humor. McGee, especially, is known for his standup-comic style.
At his daily runs to Rainbow Foods to pick up day-old sweets and breads otherwise destined for the trash bin, McGee draws curious looks when he pushes his carts out to the van.
"It's my first day shoplifting, how am I doing?" he once asked an onlooker, only to ask another shopper: "Is my slip showing?"
"God has generously given me the gift of humor," he said. "And a catchy phrase can lift the spirit and make a joyful noise to the Lord."
With that, Brother Hilary is off to a low-income public housing high-rise in downtown St. Paul, where people on fixed incomes are waiting by the door to help him unload another van full of cakes and bread.
"We're only eight guys, and sometimes you don't think eight guys can get much done," McGee said. "But one thing we know we can always deliver is hope. I'm amazingly proud to be part of a community that doesn't preach the Gospels or read the Gospels, but lives the Gospels. It's an exciting and very beautiful way of life."