A Dollar At A Time

"Sunday Paper?  Paper today, Jim?" 
"Can you spare a dollar for Habitat today?"

Time and time again, I heard people say how very friendly people were at St. John the Evangelist Church.  It wasn't the city that so impressed them:  it was one man.  I know who they meant.  His name was Leonard Sbrocco.  He was the first person many people met when they first came to Naples.  His friendliness and kindness spilled over to all he met like a wave.  We will remember his warm welcomes tomorrow afternoon, as we commend him to Our Lord.

Every Sunday morning without fail, Leonard's smile greeted them as people filed in and out of mass.  He always had a wave, a handshake, a friendly remark, and a big "Thank you!" for those who bought the Sunday paper.  If you were a snowbird away for months, Leonard remembered your name.  He'd always ask after the family.  He remembered to ask how your surgery had gone.  Leonard cared about people, one person at time.

From the break of dawn until well past noon, his little army collected for the homeless.  Sometimes it was oppressively hot.  When the wind was ferocious, he'd just weigh down the papers with a few extra rocks. There were days when the skies poured.   Leonard was always there.

There were faster ways to raise money.  The parish could raise thousands with just a few calls, and often did.   Many pooh-poohed all the fuss and bother for such a small donation each week.  But, what Leonard held in those baskets was a weekly wage for many of those who donated.  If you could never go to this charity gala or that, you could still be a part of something much bigger.  He gave from the heart without fail, week after week after week.  He was constant.  He was faithful.  A dollar at a time, Leonard built a treasure that would last.

And he inspired others by his example.  Some were so dedicated that they would make a special trip to drive by Leonard's tables for a paper if they had gone to the Saturday vigil mass.  When Leonard became more frail and Alzheimer's gripped him, his friends continued his legacy. My younger son gave up his Saturday nights all through high school so that he could be there at dawn to set up their tables.  I can never express how grateful I am to this sweet, kind man for the lessons that only faithful service can provide.

And WOW.... could that man dance!!!!