Denise Bondy is the new chair of ONRC Spirituality Committee. Denise begins with saying - "This new role I undertake as chair of the Spirituality Committee is one that I am looking forward to with not just a little trepidation. I hope I can grow with the role. For now I will try to regularly send you some thoughts on current happenings, particularly those that encourage me to think and to pray."

I haven't been able to shake two very opposite messages I read in last Saturday's Windsor Star. (February 7, 2015)

The first one was the Associated Press release about the opening of the new public restrooms by the Vatican, just off of St. Peter's Square. In addition to the usual amenities, they will also provide showers and toiletry kits for 'homeless pilgrims' with free haircuts available on Mondays. This is, of course, Pope Francis putting into action his message that the Church must care for the poor. How wonderful to see the Holy Father putting his money where his mouth is! What an example for all of us! The Vatican is distributing 'a kit including a towel, change of underwear, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, razor and shaving cream' to anyone who needs it. I thought, "What a great idea! I love this pope! How many of our conferences can match this act of kindness?"

On the very next page, my spirit was dashed as I read details of the coroner's report about the man who lay dying on the platform of the Montreal subway, ignored by at least 40 passersby, three subway drivers and clearly visible on security cameras. The coroner laid blame on everyone who did nothing to assist Radil Hebrich. The story was made worse as I read more about Radil. He was a successful architect in Algeria who brought his wife and children to Quebec, but was unable to find work in his field. Alcoholism followed. His is not a new story. The coroner called it 'the bystander effect', people not stepping in. I asked myself, "Why was there not one Good Samaritan for Radil Hebrich? Where were we, the Christians?"

When Frederic Ozanam said to his fellow students, "Let us go out to the poor!" he meant each one of us, not just Pope Francis. If there had been one Vincentian on that subway platform, perhaps Radil might have been saved. I pray for him and for his family and for all who need us.

God bless,
Denise Bondy
February 11, 2015