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Award gives new meaning to elder care

20 Nov 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

In this Sunday’s first reading, the Lord as shepherd promises to “tend my sheep” and “rescue them from every place” A number of older people who might be expected to have their thoughts on a quiet retirement instead are finding innovative ways to make a lasting contribution for the betterment of humankind. Five such people have been named the winners of the sixth annual Purpose Prize, which recognizes the service of people over 60. The prizes are given by Civic Ventures, a San Francisco group that urges older Americans to undertake work that benefits the common good. The $100,000-per-person prizes are paid by Atlantic Philanthropies and the John Templeton Foundation. The winners--selected from more than 1,000 nominations--are free to do what they want with the prize money, but they all said they plan to give their winnings to their organizations, according to Alexandra Kent, director of the Purpose Prize. Kent says the prizes, first awarded in 2006, have already achieved one goal: calling attention to the contributions older people make to society. In October President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to 13 people, said Kent, three of whom were former Purpose Prize winners. This year’s winners are making a contribution in a variety of fields. Randal Charlton, 71, became director of TechTown, a Detroit business incubator started in 2004 by Wayne State University which supports 250 companies. Nancy Hughes, 68, established Stove Team International which produces a safe, smokeless stove that requires only a few pieces of kindling to cook a meal. Wanjiru Kamau, 69, started the African Immigrant & Refugee Foundation with $10,000 taken from her retirement account. Jenny Bowen, 66, created Half the Sky to change the way China cares for its orphans. Retired architect Edward Mazria, 70, realized that the construction industry causes about half of all greenhouse-gas emissions. He set out to change that by founding Architecture 2030 with a challenge to builders to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to “carbon neutral” by 2030. The American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the National Governors Association adopted this goal and a federal law was enacted to ensure that federal buildings would meet the standards. Source: An article by Noelle Barton for the Chronicle of Philanthropy

senior citizens purpose prize elderly alexandra kent

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The inner word

28 Aug 2011 - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Jeremiah felt "duped" by God because the people mocked him. Have you ever felt "duped" by God? Have you been able to examine that feeling more closely and come to a deeper understanding of your life's purpose? Paul asks us not to "conform to this age." How have you felt pressured in your own life to conform or not to "make waves"? How have you resisted mindless conformity? Have you ever sensed that a decision or commitment you made for the sake of the gospel would bring you hardship or suffering, as Jesus predicted it would for him? How have you been compensated for your sacrifices?

jeremiah conform life's purpose

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Homily stories

15 Mar 2009 - Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

One day I was walking in downtown Chicago, passing sights so familiar to me that they hardly registered. My progress was interrupted by a group of tourists from a foreign country who had stopped in their tracks and stood pointing and staring at the front of a building across the street from us. Their obvious amazement caused those of us around them to stop and look. The focus of their gaze was an enormous crucifix—about five stories tall—carved into the front of St. Peter’s Church and staring down on the traffic flowing by on Madison Street. It dawned on me that this group of travelers may not be Christian. And I wondered what they thought of this display—a larger-than-life man, stripped nearly naked with spikes pounded through his arms and legs to hold him to a cross. What did they make of this glorification of a public execution? It dawned on me how tame, how robbed of its power the crucifix had become to me. These visitors helped open my eyes to what had become so obvious as to not sink in with me. Religion can get too cozy for us, as Jesus showed when he overturned the tables in the temple. Sometimes we need to have our preconceived notions shaken up. That’s the purpose of Lent. Remember, it’s never too late to have a good Lent. Start today by remembering that our faith is a life-and-death issue.

Authors Tom McGrath

chicago Crucifix purpose of Lent

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Homily stories

05 Jan 2020 - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle A

"Star light, star bright; first star I see tonight.” Remember that nursery rhyme about wishing on a star? Our heart’s desire can be a pretty powerful force when we pay attention to it. The Magi of Epiphany looked to the night sky to fulfill their longing, to know what was unknown, and to discover a piece of the great mystery we call God. All faith begins with heartfelt desire. “As a deer longs for flowing streams,” the psalmist writes, “so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Our deepest longing, what we truly desire in our lives, is an indication of our purpose, of the reason God created us. Even if what we desire is something mundane, like to become a jet pilot or to join the circus, it is God’s way of directing us toward a goal that is beyond us, beyond our understanding. The Magi were stargazers, a practice forbidden to Jews. But because they were “from the East” and not part of the covenant with Israel, they were free to pursue their quest for astrological guidance. And God led them to the newborn Savior of the world. Christmas is the season of wishes. What children want for Christmas becomes uppermost in the minds of their parents, and Mom and Dad do their best—sometimes standing in line at the toy store for hours—to obtain what their children desire. If that’s how we are with our kids, how much more will God create a world to fulfill our deepest wishes?

Authors Father Paul Boudreau

purpose desires wishes

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