About Mychal's Message: Our Stories

The Second Anniversary of 9/11
Submitted by Carol Mackie, Mychal's Message Volunteer

What a gift today was! On the second anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, we were on the Breadline at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City giving our homeless friends a package of "Blessed Bloomers" - underwear, socks, undershirts and "Tiny Treasure" toiletries. We also had homemade muffins (with butter!) and fresh bananas and many jackets, fleece vests, sweaters and sweatshirts. Thanks to so many people - the gifts given to us allowed us to continue to honor the memory of Fr. Mychal Judge by ministering to the homeless men and women he loved and cared about. Now ... we love and care about them too.

It was quite a day and we were all excited to be there ... because of what we were able to do in Father Mychal's memory, but more for what we always get back from our "friends". They recognize us. They know we offer some help. And they are kind to us - very kind. We exchange smiles and hugs and your gifts. God's love is evident in their eyes, and we humbly try to give them the same love in return.

When we arrived on the street at 6:00 that morning, there were already people in line waiting for their sandwiches and coffee ... many of them have come to recognize us and our cars ... and when we pull up and step out onto the sidewalk they know we have things for them ... things made possible because of the generosity of so many people. As the sun came up, we commented on what a beautiful day it was going to be - and what a beautiful day it was last year when we were here - and then, sadly, what a beautiful day it was 2 years ago before the planes hit. The lines were long today. A homeless man approached us and said, "Yes, Mychal Judge. I knew you'd be here today. I knew it was 9-11 and I just knew I had to come!" Another homeless man offered us his plastic crate to hold our cooler full of butter.

We organized the packages on the street by size. We gathered together, held hands and said a prayer. Father Cassian Miles, OFM concluded our prayer by saying, "Father Mychal, pray for us." We set up our CD player and listened to Martin Doman's song about Father Mychal. We paused a moment on the last verse ... we remembered Father Mychal and knew he was with us.

It was 7:00. We got into place. The Line began. One after another, the men and women announced their sizes, "Medium" ... "Small" ... "Do you have any Extra Large?" Everyone was accommodated. One man asked for a razor. We knew there were some - but they were randomly packaged in the "Blessed Bloomers" packs. We prayed, "Father Mychal, guide us to a razor." He did, and the man was very grateful.

A woman sat at the top of the steps to St. Francis Church buttering her muffin. We couldn't help but notice her. Father Cassian said, "When do you think that woman last had a muffin with butter?" We were so grateful for the kind man from Lancaster who donated butter.

The men and women were all grateful for what we were able to give them ... and yet ... they still have needs ... jeans were among the things asked for ... and soon winter coats will be needed. With your help, and God's love, we know that we will continue to fulfill these needs.

When the Line ended, we celebrated Mass together. It was the 8:30 a.m. mass held especially in memory of the construction workers who lost their lives on 9/11. Their friends and family were all there. It was good to be in this holy place. We prayed for everyone on the Line that morning and for everyone who sent underwear and undershirts and socks. We prayed for all those who died on 9/11. As we left the church, the next mass being said was in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. To see the street lined with firemen was a moving experience. It was about not forgetting, but of moving forward.

We then went to Ground Zero and heard part of the list of names being read for those lost. We marveled at being there. We found ourselves in front of St. Peter's Church - each taking a turn ringing the Bell of Remembrance to honor those who died. A tremendous experience for us all. We walked into the church and saw the altar where Fr. Mychal's body had been laid after he died that tragic day 2 years ago. There were many tears at Ground Zero. It was quiet and solemn. The only sound you could hear were the names being read over speakers. Memorials and flowers were everywhere. The Red Cross was giving our free bottles of water, and you could only imagine what it had been like in that place just 2 years ago.

We then got back into our cars and headed into Harlem, the home of Create, Inc., where we met Fr. Benedict Taylor and Ralph Perez. We gave them the remaining packs of "Blessed Bloomers," muffins and bananas along with several cases of slippers and sneakers. ("Founded in 1973 by Fr. Benedict, CREATE Inc. promotes the physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being of the Harlem community by providing sensitive and caring quality services that empower the community. CREATE is now a multi-service agency which has separate facilities and services that serve the chemically dependent, homeless youths and adults, senior citizens and single-parent families.") Father Benedict was very grateful for the donations from Mychal's Message.

Thank you all for supporting this ministry and entrusting us with your donations and checks so that those less fortunate - those who are lost, homeless and hungry - have the hope of God's never-ending love.

Watch for details of our next projects coming soon. ("That Second Coat" project will collect gently used men's coats and "Project Undercover" will supply the homeless with new fleece blankets.) God Bless You.

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This page was last updated on: June 4, 2005.

Mychal's Message, Inc. is registered as a charitable organization with the Department of State's Bureau of Charitable Organizations under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P.S. Section 16.2 et seq., and is authorized to solicit charitable contributions under the conditions and limitations set forth under the Act. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations