September, 2025
Beloved,
None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody – a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns – bent down and helped us pick up our boots.” I recently quoted this statement from Thurgood Marshall when I spoke about the Project CALEB during an announcement. I firmly stand by his philosophy, and I find it so humbling coming from him. Instead of letting his accolade of achievements get in his head and be drawn in self-glory as the first African American Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1967, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, his humility reminded him of the works of all those people who helped him become the person he was. When society placed more emphasis on self-reliance and independent freedom, Marshall used his gift and privilege to free others, much like those who had raised him. Marshall taught the power of unity and interdependent relationships to make something great, not for self-gain but for the good of others. Apostle Paul taught this in his first letter to the people in Corinth (10:17).
The Project CALEB has proven to be another great expression of One-ness. It has been a little over a month since Caleb’s tragic accident, which resulted in his spinal cord injury. You and many others in the community responded. Just within a month, your contributions have reached nearly $9,000, and the fund keeps growing. However, that is not even the best part of it all; what is most profound is witnessing a chain reaction to support one purpose, which is to join in Caleb’s healing journey by raising hope, funding care, and making a home accessible. As Caleb, a 15-year-old, works hard to relearn to communicate with different parts of his body, we stand up in solidarity to learn to be united, becoming his hands and feet. An old Spanish Carmelite nun, Saint Teresa of Avila, said it best.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
We have more good news to share. We invite you to the Sunday Afternoon Musicale on September 7 at 2 pm. This event, featuring the musical talents of St. Paul’s Collegiate Schola members, Anthony, Miles, Jovanna, Gabby, and Oscar, along with guest pianist Denise Whittington, is a wonderful opportunity to join in Caleb’s healing journey. We encourage you to attend and bring your friends to this uplifting event. All proceeds will go toward the Project CALEB.
St. Paul’s Collegiate Schola is a group of paid college students who sing with us weekly. Not only do they support our worship experience with their beautiful voices, but they also learn about the importance of freely offering their gift as service. Our dedicated mature volunteer choir members are excellent role models, teaching them to nurture philanthropic relationships, servanthood, and stewardship. These students are putting their learning into practice by joining forces to support Caleb even though they have never met him. A deep gratitude goes to our choirmaster, David Paul, for guiding them to achieve this shared vision.
To support their talents, our choir members will host a reception at the charity concert. Meanwhile, the church members will spread the word about the concert by visiting schools and local businesses, distributing flyers to community members on Sunday, and inviting our friends and family. Caleb’s life-altering accident and his healing journey teach all of us how to become One Body, not for personal gain but for serving a greater cause that gives us a sense of purpose in our being.
Did you know that September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month? The color is lime green. I look forward to seeing you at the Sunday After Musicale on September 7th, at 2 pm. Bring your friends, raise awareness. Caleb’s healing may be a long journey, but we will come out of this together, stronger, working as One Body, because we are a Community Acting in Love to Elevate Bravery in each other.
With Love and Gratitude,
Fr. Andrew