Living as the Body of Christ

When I sat down to write this column, I could not gather my thoughts. My mind was not on summer programming, it was on southern California, specifically the Grass Valley Fire which was burning a short distance from my home. I was thinking of all the treasures I would lose if the fire reached my house: my father's old St. Joseph Missal and his and my mother's rosaries, the special birthday cards and Christmas cards they had sent me, letters and pictures from my sister, nieces, and friends, plus irreplaceable pictures and video. Nothing of real monetary value, but priceless to me nonetheless. I thought of the families I know who live almost across the street from the fire and wondered if they still had a home. Obviously writing a column for our NACYML newsletter had to wait. I busied myself with routine tasks while I awaited news on the fires. I was lucky; the fire was contained before it reached my home. Over four hundred others in our mountain community did not fare as well. Their homes were either lost or severely damaged.

I was not the only member of NACYML affected by the fires. Fifty-one of our members live in dioceses affected by the fires and approximately thirteen members were directly impacted by the fires, whether by evacuation, fire threats, or families within their parishes losing homes. As I reflected on what these past few weeks have been like, I am struck by two opposing images: ambivalence—an 'oh well' shrug of the shoulder, and compassion—being the Body of Christ.

Seventeen fires burned over 500,000 acres of land, including many homes and businesses. Although there was extensive media coverage of the fires, there did not appear to be a national outpouring of sympathy. I noticed this with some coworkers here in New Mexico. Though they felt badly about the horror of the fires and the loss of homes, their sympathy was tempered by reports of multimillion dollar mansions burning, evacuees drinking Starbucks, and getting massages. The ambivalence seemed to be, "those fires are horrible but insurance will pay for the lost homes. The victims seem to be financially well-off. This is California where there is always some kind of disaster—earth quake, mud slide, or fire."

I know many in our country view California as a place of opulent living. This ambivalence toward the victims of the fires left me frustrated, sad, and angry. I know most of the victims are hard working people trying to provide for their families. This "oh well" shrug of the shoulder image was one formed, not so much by my immediate experience, but by the overall media coverage and their comments on the fires.

My personal experience was truly one of being part of the Body of Christ—where compassion, hope, gratitude, and generosity were in abundance. Immediately upon sending an e-mail to family, friends, and colleagues regarding the fires, I received thoughtful responses of prayers being offered and questions of how one could help the victims. Being far from my home, I relied on the mountain area's community website for information on the fires. The site has message boards for residents to share information. Though the primary thread was whether a town, street, or home was in danger, over and over there were messages of heartfelt gratitude to the fire fighters and emergency personnel for their unwavering dedication to defending the mountain and fighting the fire. Even those who knew their homes were gone expressed thanks.

Pat Clasby, a fellow member of the NACYML Leadership Team, who lives in San Diego was an inspiration to me during this time of crisis. Though Pat's home was in an area on the verge of possible evacuation, Pat's concerns were with those who had no place to go other than the evacuation center. He, along with youth and adult volunteers from his parish, gathered and delivered supplies to the shelters. As the fires in my home community were contained and people returned to the area, I called my parish to see what I could do—perhaps offer the use of my home to a family who lost their own home. I discovered eighty other people had called and offered their cabins to homeless families. The loving arms of God are truly embracing the victims of the fire.

There are still many untold stories of loss, as well as opportunities to help. In talking with Pat about the migrant workers who lived in one of the areas hit in San Diego, he told me that they now not only do not have a place to live but do not have work either. For some, their status does not allow for financial aid.

Two other NACYML members, also parish coordinators of youth ministry who live in San Diego, have been directly affected by the fires. Debra Humkey of San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo and Marcial Lopez of Immaculate Heart Parish in Ramona had over thirty families lose their homes.

If you would like to assist the victims of these fires, please contact Pat Clasby, Debra Humkey, Marcial Lopez, or Our Lady of the Lake Church.