Beloved Family:
Here is the tale of a rabbit! What this article may indeed lack in sophistication, I hope will be at least partially compensated by a spirit of lightheartedness that bears the seed of a deeper message. No doubt: on a local, national and global scale, there are events and issues in play that certainly call for our prayerful attention. We ought not “live in a bubble,” as the phrase goes. At the same time, there are daily moments of life which, I am inclined to believe, invite us to recognize the activity of God, as manifested in small but nevertheless significant actions on the part of humans.
Rabbits, we know, have very short tails. This tale involves a brown little fellow, which we believe to be a red satin and guess was somehow “dropped off” at the church property a while ago. He certainly stood out among the plethora of squirrels who regularly dominate the lawns and trees here. Various parishioners, along with parish team members and staff and clients from Dr. Colvin’s chiropractic office, observed this furry creature feeding in different spots at varied points of the day. He seemed to be contented enough, having established living space under the ramp. The main concern has been that he would experience a sudden craving for French fries and attempt to head over to McDonald (not really, but the street was a fear factor).
Within the past week, one individual from the community asked permission to contact a rescue organization—our feeble attempts to catch the rabbit had proven fruitless. Just Tuesday evening, two caring members of an organization called Snickerdoodles Rabbit Rescue from Canton came to St. Mary and, after several close misses, managed to retrieve “Pancake,” as some of our teens had dubbed him. We are assured of their proper handling.
Again, I realize that this tale may seem light fare for a parish bulletin. For me, it illustrates the care our heavenly Father shows us. How often do we find ourselves—or place ourselves—in apparently safe situations which, nevertheless, carry considerable safety risks. The Father, along with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never “calls off the search” for his children. My hope is that we, as Catholic disciples, demonstrate the same level of vigilance in spotting and reaching out to vulnerable brothers and sisters as Pancake had to work for his good. This was a single rabbit; in contrast, there are so many people who need us to notice them, to care for them, to love them.
No doubt, our missionary co-op visitor for 2026, who will deliver the homily at all of the Masses this weekend, will reinforce that message. Fr. Frank Tinajero, SVD is a Divine Word Missionary priest whose ministry has been deeply rooted in justice, restorative practices, and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Let us offer him warm welcome and minds and hearts receptive to his message.
