Religion

It seems that we’ve only recently ended a holy season, one that is familiar to all and celebrated publicly with bell ringing, gift giving and parties galore. Though not true for all, most people are uplifted by the camaraderie they experience, the gathering of family and friends. We color the time in red and green, warm colors that lighten and brighten even the dimmest of days.

From the opening pages of Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi,” the reader is faced with the reality of suffering as a gift in human life.
He reminds us, “When you’ve suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling.”
If no other message was gleaned from this magical parable, this one is more than sufficient. Certainly, Pi suffered, from the torment he received as a result of his given name to the tragic losses he endured as an orphaned youth.

Appropriately, at the time of the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and in response to the massacre in Newtown, Conn., St. Brendan the Navigator Roman Catholic Church has begun a campaign to curb the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. The choice was easy to make, in light of the Christian commitment to uphold life, and challenging for the same reason.

Program offers free meals, showers
Need a meal? Need a shower?
New Life Christian Fellowship can help with its Showers of Blessings program from 5-7 p.m. every Monday at 2162 Stone Chimney Road SW in Supply.
Need transportation? The church van will be at Hardee’s, on the corner of N.C. 211 and U.S. 17), from 4-4:45 p.m. every Monday to escort you.
Call Theresa Tese at 269-8577 for more information or to volunteer service or a meal. Visit www.newlifecf.net.