September is berry picking time here in our province. Today, while I was having a bowl of blueberries and ice cream with friends, I suddenly remembered Jim MacSheffrey, SJ who tragically lost his life while berry picking.
Source:whitesailsinneastport.com
I saw Jim the day before he died. He stood in the doorway of my office and said, “Do you want to see the results of my Stress Management Seminar?” I enthusiastically replied, “Yes!” He left and quickly returned proudly holding up a 10 gallon bucket of berries. I can still see him now.
The following is a tribute I wrote a year after Jim’s death. It is just as true now as it was then.
Br. Jim – A Year Later
It is very hard to believe that a year has passed since the disappearance and death of Br. Jim on Friday, October 22, 1999. The events of that day and those that followed are indelibly etched in the memories of so many people in our parish and indeed throughout the province.
The tributes and media coverage that surrounded his death would have greatly surprised him. He probably shook his head and had a great chuckle.
In talking to many of his friends, neighbors and people who worked on various committees and organizations with him, there is one thing that everyone seems to mention. They all say that in someway during the past year, they have almost seen Jim, heard his words or felt his presence.
Br. Jim (kneeling) and friends. Source: mun.ca
Here at the parish office, on more than one occasion, I have almost seen him coming around the corner, with a stack of crumpled papers in his hand, anxious to use the xerox or fax machine.
When I have read a newspaper article about a social injustice, I’ve thought, “ If only Jim were here now, he would be organizing a petition or phoning a local official or politician.” The fact that so many people have had this experience, has led me to ask the question , “ Why ?’
Why is it that such a quiet and unassuming man has had such a profound effect on so many people? Memories often dim with time, but this has not been the case with Jim. Why?
Jim was a Christian, a Catholic, a Jesuit, a man of prayer, someone who experienced joys, sorrows and struggles, and, who willingly and whole-heartedly entered into the joys, sorrows and struggles of others. He was passionately committed to Jesus Christ and living out the Gospel values.
Br. Jim on the left with his bucket of blueberries. Source: mun.ca
He was equally comfortable in delivering reports at international conferences as he was in sorting through garbage to see if there were any discarded items that could still be put to good use
So many of Jim’s actions were simple ones, done with consistency and concern for others. He wrote letters, organized and signed petitions, carried placards, distributed information about current social justice issues to anyone who was interested (and even to those who weren’t ), had a cup of tea with someone who was lonely or discouraged, delivered food, clothing and household items to the needy.
Bother Jim McSheffrey, SJ. Source: volunteerhallof fame.ca
His door was always open and his heart was always full, ready to share the love of Christ in concrete and practical ways.
There is one quality that many people have mentioned in describing Jim. Jim was persistent. He never gave up! Maybe Jim is being persistent now, even after his death. Maybe he is calling us to write that letter, make that phone call, sign that petition, have that cup of tea with someone who islonely or discouraged, give that food or clothing to someone in need.
We may not be able to do these things as often as Jim did, but we can all do them some of the time.
Jim’s body is buried in Belvedere Cemetery but his spirit lives on in each and every one of us. He is calling us to continue his work. It’s up to us now.