It was Saturday night, December 26, 2003. I was returning with my son Matthew and his friend Steve from Great Lakes Crossing. We had just seen the movie, “Lord of the Rings – Return of the King.” It was about 6:10 pm and we were going east on Walton Boulevard, just west of Perry Street. Both Matt and Steve were sitting in the back seat taking about the movie and I was looking at the traffic ahead of me. I was coming up to a green light and there was no direct traffic in front of me. I was traveling 45 miles per hours. We were in our 1994 Plymouth Sundance.

We were about 100 feet from the 7-11 at the corner when a light blue Ford Aerostar pulled out on east bound Walton Boulevard. The van was probable not going more than 10 miles per hour and seemed oblivious to my car. I put my foot on the brake, trying to brake and I also tried to steer away from the van, but I was unable to do so.

I caught the van in the sliding door, spun her car and flipped it on the driver’s side. My airbag went off. When we came to a stop, I though the car was on fire from the smoke from the airbag. We got out of the car and made sure that we were not seriously hurt. I also helped free the driver from her car. She was not injured.

Matt and Steve were both wearing seat belts, as was I. Matt bruised the left side of his neck when he hit my seat and I suffered a stress fracture of my left hand. Both cars were totaled. Since the accident, matt and I have talked about how lucky we were that we were not seriously injured. We both feel that God was watching over all three of us and protected us from more serious injury. I also thank God that the other driver was not injured at all. A car can be replaced, broken bones mend, but not a life. I still find myself careful when I am driving and see other drivers recklessly pulling out onto main streets. In this case, I can really say that I felt that God was my co-pilot.

- Russell Prus

It began as a New Year’s resolution. For the third year in a row I had made the same resolution; to become more active in exploring my faith in God. But no more excuses. I missed attending church too much. I missed the traditions of the holiday celebrations, the Holy Days, the candles ands the stained glass windows, the significance of the crucifix and all it had meant to me over the years. This year I knew I had to follow through.

I had been born into a “good Catholic” family, the youngest of six, parochial school education, morning mass EVERY day and ambitions to enter the convent. But at college I met the man who would become my husband. He represented so much I had never known, a world outside my security blanket. He challenged my thoughts and abilities. He is a Christian although there was never any doubt that the “Catholic” faith was not how he intended to raise our children.

For many, many years after our son was born we searched and stumbled for a compromise on our beliefs. We came to know Bruce, not as a pastor, but as a friend through scouting. It was his quiet consistency in speaking with me that lit the candle that is becoming once again the fire of faith. For too many years I had tunnel vision as to what I thought a church experience should be, so I neglected not only my needs but also those of our family.

Your monthly newsletter kept that candle lit. I thanks you as a group for not giving up when you did not always see me in the pew. Recently I was comfortable enough to ask about weekly envelopes. I learned that they were already printed; you had faith all along. I am learning the uniqueness of this church community and the small differences in the church service itself. My blinders are off and I thank God and each of you for removing them. Do not lose your faith, for there are many temptations and excuses available to us. But I will be there for you, as you were there for me.

- Pat Helson