Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure to visit 85 year old Father Beaudois at the Jesuit residence at Manresa in Pickering. On Thursday, Terry and I spent the afternoon with my 92 year old mom at her retirement home in Midland. Sandwiched between those two excursions was a long overdue get together with a former teaching colleague from the 1980's, Marie Jutras.
I won’t divulge her exact age but needless to say, the fact that she taught the mother of Quebec Premier Jean Charest puts her in the mature category. Aw, what the heck, she’s 86 and counting.
Marie lives with her tabby Benny, named after our cat loving Pontiff, in a comfortable downtown condo that overlooks the Toronto skyline. The full wall mirror in her dining room wall adds to the spacious ambiance of her living space. A 52 inch flatscreen TV allows Marie to indulge her passion for the Blue Jays while a large green chair in her living room reminds me of the one from the TD Bank’s ‘comfort zone’. However, her most utilitarian possession is the computer that keeps her connected to colleagues as well as stay current on political and religious topics of the day.
Though she’s slowed down a bit from her days at Brebeuf where she did double duty as a guidance counselor and math teacher, Marie’s mind is still as sharp as a Ricky Romero curve ball. She enjoys keeping busy by editing essays and theses for relatives and friends as well as carrying on spirited dialogues with a wide array of professors and scholars. Her clarity of thought and expression are so refreshing in this era of double talk and political correctness.
Knowing from previous e-mails about her disdain for the current Ontario government, I carefully avoided any mention of Dalton McGuinty until after her care-giver had served a delicious lunch. No doubt, I shouldn’t have eaten seven homemade spring rolls but Terry wasn’t there to hold up a stop sign.
Marie’s faith dimension continues to be at the centre of her life. Although she doesn’t subscribe to the eye of the needle view of Christianity, she does have an admirable zeal for the conversion of souls as evidenced by her enthusiasm for the RCIA program in her parish. She also spoke passionately about the increasing numbers of protestant ministers joining the ranks of the Catholic clergy. She encouraged me read some of the articles by Pope Benedict, an intellectual giant by Marie’s account (cf. ‘A Rare Pope: With a Sense of Humour’) and to get with the program by subscribing to the Salt and Light network.
It was a stimulating visit and one that reminded me that I’ve been taking my faith for granted. Marie’s example made me realize that growing in the knowledge of God is a dynamic and life long process, one that should be a priority in my life.
As you enter the final innings of your game, keep on pitching Marie. You’ve still got all the right stuff.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and forever!
Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
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