When asked what the greatest commandment is Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Luke 10:27
Friday was Brenden's 28th birthday. I work with him at Wal-Mart. To celebrate his birthday some of his friends (& co-workers) were to catch the premiere showing of the The Fantastic Four: the Rise of the Silver Surfer. Afterwards they were going to play some pool and drink a few beer. These 'guys' could be my sons and daughters.
They are closed to the Christian message, but all spiritual seekers.
On Tuesday, knowing that another co-worker Kline was going with the group I gave him $20 and told him to buy a round for me for them in honor of Brenden's birthday. He was sincerely touched by my action.
Much is said about doing acts of kindness (I assume buying beer is one) to be able to open a door in order to share the Gospel with them. For me I care for these folks and wanted to know that and to enjoy themselves. Isn't that some part of the Gospel message?
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 09, 2007
FAREWELL DONALD!
Thursday, June 7th Donald was laid to rest. It was a very powerful service held at St. Andrew Apostle Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
My wife Sharon and I were the first there. Not risking being late and having to fight the northern Virginia commuter traffic for three hours we left home early. The bag piper was next in arriving. We enjoyed talking to Randy Welch from Annapolis. On his cap he had a crest badge of a blue crab!
The hearse and Lise’ arrived. Lise’ wore a striking magenta dress. She told us that she had worn it for her son’s wedding just a month ago. Mr. Welch had piped for the wedding.
The other pall bearers arrived and we received our instructions and went in to the church with Donald’s casket. Lise’ impressively greeted each attendee at the sanctuary entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial was performed. The celebrant Father Paul Dudziak spoke at times emotionally of his friend of thirty years.
Donald’s eldest, his daughter Martine spoke powerfully about her father. She shared with us incidents of his big heartedness and his powerful Christian witness. The same mantle it was apparent that she had received from him. She contributed his greatness as a father to his Christian character.
A co-worker of Donald’s, Bob Keane spoke of Donald’s excellent naval architectural skills and abilities. Donald was Donald and his Christian witness glowed at the work place. It was apparent that the light of Jesus shone 24/7 through our friend.
A member of his parish, Annette Oleniewski spoke of the 20 years she had known Donald and all the ministries he had been involved in. Donald was a true servant.
At the end of the Mass, we went to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for internment. Afterwards we departed to a family friend’s home for a reception.
David Levite of the 2003 Colmcille crew attended. Sorry David we did not get to chance to talk. Of the Clam McCallum/Malcolm Society, Doug McCallum of Alexandria was there. Doug cleared up a misconception for me. I had thought he was the webmaster of the Clan website. No, that was another Doug McCallum living in Florida. Donald’s son Andrew proudly wore the McCallum kilt which was a gift from his Dad.
It will be June 9th St. Columba’s Day when I am able to post this. How fitting as four years ago to the day that the 13 voyagers following in the wake of St. Columba would depart from Ireland for Scotland. As a way of honoring the memory of Donald McCallum, I am taking on the ambitious task of opening a new blog, Remembering Donald that will give an account of the three Celtic Christian pilgrimages that I journeyed with Donald; In the Wake of St. Columba (2003), In the Footsteps of St. Columba (2004) and In the search for Celtic Ogham Writings in the Hills of West Virginia (2005). I beat you didn’t know about the last one! Stay tuned!
My wife Sharon and I were the first there. Not risking being late and having to fight the northern Virginia commuter traffic for three hours we left home early. The bag piper was next in arriving. We enjoyed talking to Randy Welch from Annapolis. On his cap he had a crest badge of a blue crab!
The hearse and Lise’ arrived. Lise’ wore a striking magenta dress. She told us that she had worn it for her son’s wedding just a month ago. Mr. Welch had piped for the wedding.
The other pall bearers arrived and we received our instructions and went in to the church with Donald’s casket. Lise’ impressively greeted each attendee at the sanctuary entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial was performed. The celebrant Father Paul Dudziak spoke at times emotionally of his friend of thirty years.
Donald’s eldest, his daughter Martine spoke powerfully about her father. She shared with us incidents of his big heartedness and his powerful Christian witness. The same mantle it was apparent that she had received from him. She contributed his greatness as a father to his Christian character.
A co-worker of Donald’s, Bob Keane spoke of Donald’s excellent naval architectural skills and abilities. Donald was Donald and his Christian witness glowed at the work place. It was apparent that the light of Jesus shone 24/7 through our friend.
A member of his parish, Annette Oleniewski spoke of the 20 years she had known Donald and all the ministries he had been involved in. Donald was a true servant.
At the end of the Mass, we went to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for internment. Afterwards we departed to a family friend’s home for a reception.
David Levite of the 2003 Colmcille crew attended. Sorry David we did not get to chance to talk. Of the Clam McCallum/Malcolm Society, Doug McCallum of Alexandria was there. Doug cleared up a misconception for me. I had thought he was the webmaster of the Clan website. No, that was another Doug McCallum living in Florida. Donald’s son Andrew proudly wore the McCallum kilt which was a gift from his Dad.
It will be June 9th St. Columba’s Day when I am able to post this. How fitting as four years ago to the day that the 13 voyagers following in the wake of St. Columba would depart from Ireland for Scotland. As a way of honoring the memory of Donald McCallum, I am taking on the ambitious task of opening a new blog, Remembering Donald that will give an account of the three Celtic Christian pilgrimages that I journeyed with Donald; In the Wake of St. Columba (2003), In the Footsteps of St. Columba (2004) and In the search for Celtic Ogham Writings in the Hills of West Virginia (2005). I beat you didn’t know about the last one! Stay tuned!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Donald Goes Home
Sunday, I received a call from Lise' that her husband and my friend Donald McCallum had left this life to be in the presence of Jesus. For a year Donald had battled lung cancer.
Donald had place an article in the Malcolm/McCallum Clan Society newsletter, The Argent Castle in the winter of 2002, inviting men of the clan to join him in reenacting St. Columba's Voyage from Ireland to Scotland. As St. Patrick before him, Columba would be a catalyst in bringing Christianity to a pagan land, Scotland. We would row a 6th century replica of an Irish curragh across some of the world's dangerous waters. In our case the cow hides would be canvas for the hull. Donald was searching for 12 others to join him.
When I finished the article, I called to my wife, Sharon who was in the kitchen that I believed God had placed me in front of an open door. She replied then I must go through it. I called Donald immediately and signed up! Later my wife asked about the door God had placed in front of me. After I told her she asked are you sure it's from God! Yes, I was.
That encounter would be the beginning of a close friendship. The next year Donald organized another evangelistic trip, this one reenacted Columba's journery from Iona to Inverness through the Great Glen Way to King Brude's fort.
Donald was a visionary who prophetically saw a revival coming to his home country of Scotland. Donald will see it from the throne of God. There has been no other person whom I've encountered that reflects the image of Jesus more than Donald. A strong man, yet tender to all those he encountered. A humble man who sought what was best for others and not for himself. A man who loved life to the fullest. A man who loved his God with all his heart, mind and strength.
Thank you, Donald for being my friend.
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