Though I didn’t watch all of the opening, I was able to watch when China, the host country, entered the “Bird’s Nest.”

Carrying the national flag was Yao Ming, China’s national basketball player, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets and is 7 feet 6 inches tall. He carried the mammoth Chinese flag with pride as he lead his country in the parade of nations. Dressed in a white shirt and blue shorts, walking next to Ming was another giant in his own right. Lin Hao, a nine-year-old boy, proudly waved his nation’s flag as he, like the countless athletes assembled for the Olympics, embodied the human spirit of perseverance, courage and strength.

In May, Hao’s region was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in the Sichuan area of China. Lin Hao happened to be at school when the quake struck. Not only did he survive - he went back into his classroom and rescued two classmates. During the rescue he was pelted with falling debris, heard classmates scream for help, and yet, maintained a calmness about him as he tried to pull his friends to safety. While only 10 of the 32 classmates survived, rescue workers noted how Hao was singing songs trying to encourage everyone to keep hope alive. When asked why he risked his life he replied, “I was the hall monitor; it was my job to look after my classmates.”

With the frantic pace of our lives these days, Hao’s example for us is surely a beautiful lesson. We shouldn’t need a tragedy to stop us in our tracks. What we need, perhaps, is a greater awareness of the people around us who may simply need a little more Christ in their lives. And that will happen, when you and I, realize daily – it’s our job to look out for one another.

Have a great week!
Love,
Fr. Bill

Thank you to every one who participated in my Installation last weekend. From the liturgy to the reception every thing was fantastic. I truly appreciate all of your efforts! My niece, Abigail, who helped bring up the offertory gifts, thought the most memorable part of the day was being able to play the organ and eating her doughnut with sprinkles on it. Ah, the joy of children!