Homily given by Fr. Alan Welinski

Church of the Assumption, Morris, Minnesota before the presentation of the
2000 Opening Doors Award to St. Mary's School, Morris.
during final all-school liturgy, June 1, 2000

"ONCE UPON A TIME there was a little boy who wanted to come to St. Mary's school. He was a little boy with some special gifts and some special needs. He would perhaps need just a little more time and attention than the other children.

Well everyone at St. Mary's School decided this little boy must be welcomed. It was agreed upon by all. And so everyone did what they could to make this possible.

Some people contributed money to a special fund.Teachers adjusted their schedules. Mr. Boyle [the principal] attended some extra meetings at the public school. The teachers then told the students about the new boy. And the students did the rest!

They smiled and made the little boy a part of their class. They were extra helpful whenever they could be. They opened not only the doors of the school to this little boy, but the doors of their hearts. And he in turn opened his to them.

When you think about it, no one had to do anything really extraordinary to make this little boy welcome. Everyone did their little part. We've all done what we could...of course I'm talking about Brandon Raths.

And now today our school is being recognized with a special award from the diocese. I think this story is similar to the mustard seeds. They are sewn and become large trees. But they started out as the smallest of seeds.

Our actions and deeds on behalf of Brandon were also small seeds. But together, we've accomplished a great thing. GREAT THINGS HAPPEN whenever we just care... and do whatever we can to build God's kingdom.