Mychal’s
MESSENGER
P.O. Box 6404
Shannon Lapp
Kelly Ann Lynch, OFS
Sharon Hickey, OFS
Founders & Project Coordinators
Robert Hickey
Secretary & Treasurer
Carole Ann Dicton
Communications
M. Scott Oatman
Graphic Designer
Joseph Lynch
Support Staff & Distribution
•
Lancaster, PA 17607
•
www.mychalsmessage.org
•
Summer 2016
Dear Friends,
In our last newsletter, we honored the Franciscan priest who was the first to greet us when we
arrived in New York City that cold winter day in early 2002 with bags full of new socks for the
homeless. We had the privilege of knowing Father Cassian Miles, affectionately known as
“Francis” (his birth name), “Casey” and “Padre” to those who knew him best. He was a spiritual
advisor to many over the years. Often he would ask others, “what is your favorite word?” and then
share his—”forever.” He knew in his heart that we would all be together forever one day, and that
gave him and others great comfort when he passed away on August 20, 2015 at the age of 85. We
were blessed to have spoken with him on the phone shortly before he died. We read to him the
project description for last year’s Blessed Bloomers collection that was to be held in his honor. He
was touched and grateful. “That’s really great,” he told us, “thank you.” Father Cassian will forever
be our spiritual advisor, but now he will guide us from his eternal home. Father Christopher Keenan,
OFM will now join Rev. Everett Wabst as spiritual advisor for Mychal’s Message.
In January of this year, we were blessed as a family to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the liver
transplant that saved Shannon (Hickey)’s life. And, on May 27, Shannon married Jesse Lapp with Fr.
Chris (Keenan) as celebrant. You’ll see Shannon’s new name noted above.
Jean Haddad, OFS
Laura Sodano
NJ Project Facilitators
Christopher Lynch
Erin Mary Lynch
This year’s Blessed Bloomers collection, our 15th, will be a jubilee collection, as we honor the 50th
wedding anniversary of two people whose lives were touched by Father Cassian and changed forever
because of Father Mychal Judge. You can read about them inside (page 5) in this year’s project
description.
Spiritual Advisors
In this newsletter, you'll read about our second Children’s Christmas Cabaret (page 2) that provided
25 inner city families with Christmas dinner and gifts. And you’ll read about Taylor’s Bears (page 3)
that continue to honor the life of her mother while carrying the message of Father Mychal to children
growing up in poverty. Each bear arrives with a special letter from Taylor, but the bunny she sent at
Easter touched all of us in a special way. “Miss Kelly” was sent to honor Kelly Ann Lynch of
Mychal’s Message. “You’ve given me the best possible platform to honor my mom,” Taylor wrote in
a letter to Kelly. It is said that Father Mychal Judge was the bridge between people and God. It is
the hope of Mychal’s Message that we can emulate that spirit and become a bridge so that the
donations of others can reach the people who need them most.
All of the above are volunteers
who donate their time and talents
to Mychal’s Message.
We hope to see some of you at the Walk of Remembrance this year on September 4, 2016
beginning with Rosary at 8:45 a.m. and Mass at 9:30 a.m. May God continue to bless you for your
generosity. And in the words of our beloved Father Cassian Miles, may He bless you forever.
Mychaela Rosario
Mychal’s Messengers
Rev. Cassian Miles, OFM
Eternal Spiritual Advisor
Rev. Everett Wabst
Rev. Christopher Keenan, OFM
Your Friends at Mychal’s Message
Mychal’s Messenger
Summer 2016
Your Donations At Work
WISH, a Children’s Christmas Cabaret ~ On
December 20, 2015 Mychal’s Message hosted its second
annual Children’s Christmas Cabaret, directed by high
school senior Christopher Lynch of Mychal’s Message, and
his friends, Hope Abrom and Laurel Murr. The cabaret
featured 27 child performers between the ages of 3 and 17
(pictured below) and included two acts. The event,
entitled Wish, was held at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
in Lancaster, Pa and included a live nativity and a special
visit from Santa Claus. The goal of the event was to raise
funds to provide Christmas dinner and gifts for 25 local
families in need.
All funds raised from Wish provided Christmas dinner and
gifts for 25 local families in need. Those families were
identified through the Lancaster Homeless Student office.
In between costume fittings and sewing elf and king
costumes, Sharon Hickey also managed the intricate details
of the wish lists of the 82 children in those 25 families.
What topped this year’s wish lists? Baseballs, basketballs,
footballs, and baby dolls.
On Christmas Eve, the families of the children who
performed in Wish, delivered the wrapped gifts along with
a boxed Christmas dinner from Bob Evans Restaurant.
One woman was especially touched by the opportunity to
give back. Tanya
Coonan, shared,
“That was the
most humbling
experience for my
daughter and I. I
want to thank
you for providing
that opportunity
for us. We all
live such
privileged lives,
and sometimes it
takes something
like this to be
able to give back,
to help us realize
how much we do
have.”
Wish included singing and
dancing, elves and reindeer
(pictured right), tap-dancing
soldiers, dolls (pictured left)
and superheroes, a live nativity
(pictured below), and, of
course, Santa Claus. The
costumes were exquisite. Many, such as the toy soldiers
(pictured top right), were donated by Millersville
University’s Costume Shop and altered by Sharon Hickey,
OFS of Mychal’s Message, who also designed dozens of
additional costumes for the children to wear.
Wish 2016 will be held on Monday, December 19, 2016
at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Lancaster, PA.
Mychal’s Messenger
2
Summer 2016
Your Donations At Work
Blessed Bloomers XIV ~ On September 7, 2015, we
Prayer Bears ~ Teddy bears continue to arrive from
distributed 448 packs of Blessed Bloomers on the Breadline at
St. Francis Church in NYC.
Each package contained 2
pair of underwear (1 boxer,
1 brief), a T-shirt, 2 pair of
socks, 2 mints and a prayer
card. As always, the men
and women were gracious,
kind and thankful for the
donations. A gentle man, wearing brown sandals, was one of
the last on the Line that day. He told us he had no socks. We
captured a photo of his feet (left)
as he walked by us. It is moments
like this that the heart of our
mission is revealed to us as we
encounter the living Christ in the
homeless and poor.
Taylor, who after losing her mother when she was just 6
years old, began creating teddy bears to honor and
remember her. Taylor names the bears in honor of those
special to her and sends them to Mychal’s Message to be
given away to children living in poverty.
Teddy Bear ED arrived in October, named after one of
Taylor’s favorite singers—Ed Sheeran on what would have
been her mom’s 38th birthday. ISABELLE arrived for
Thanksgiving, named after Taylor’s friend, Izzy; Taylor
wrote, “we are inseparable.” JAKE, dressed in a Superman
outfit, arrived for Christmas, named after another one of
Taylor’s friends. “Jake is strong and courageous,” she
wrote, “like Superman.” MISS KELLY (pictured below
right) arrived for Easter, a bright and soft bunny, who
Taylor named in honor of Kelly Ann Lynch of Mychal’s
Message. “You’ve given me the best possible platform to
honor my mom,” she wrote. JULIE arrived on the 9th
“Angel Day,” the anniversary of the death of Taylor’s mom,
named in honor of her dance teacher.
“Whenever I’m down about my mom,”
Taylor wrote, “I know I can dance to
make it all better.” SHANA arrived on
Mother’s Day, named after the owner of
Taylor’s dance studio. “Maybe the child
that gets this bear,” Taylor wrote, “will
become a dancer someday.”
Stocking the Inn ~ On September 11, 2015, we
traveled to St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, PA to fill their
shelves. We delivered 390 Tiny Treasures, 488 diapers,
50 pounds of sugar, 23 large cans of coffee, 75 packs of
“Blessed Bloomers,” 400 pair of socks, 178 Pullups, 38
bath towels, 18 wash cloths, 24 jars of spaghetti sauce, 19
pair of jeans, and 2 cases of baby wipes. On May 11,
2016, 380 diapers, 192 forks, and 180 rolls of toilet paper
were also sent to stock the shelves at the Inn.
Christmas Treasures 2015 ~ Fifty filled Christmas
packages were delivered to homeless men recovering from
addictions at CREATE (a 24 hour a day transitional shelter
that provides in-patient and out-patient rehab and
counseling). Fr. Mychal Judge once served on CREATE’s
Board. Each stocking (pictured below right) contained
those items the men needed most—new underwear, Tshirts and socks, with special gifts tucked inside—a new
watch, a leather belt, a pair of warm gloves and a pair of
lounge pants.
Father Cassian A. Miles Jubilee Scholarship Fund ~
On October 29, 2015, 32,402.67 pesos (710 American
dollars) was sent to a small
Catholic school in the
Philippines. And, in
February, 2016, thanks to
the generosity of our donors,
5 new desks (pictured above
right) were purchased for that
school. Sr. Avelina, a
Franciscan Sister of the
Immaculatine (pictured below
right, center, along with Sr.
Maria Lourdes, left and Sr.
Anna Maria, right) was very
grateful for that donation.
Mychal’s Messenger
“… [Father Mychal] collected
clothes and food to take to
Harlem where his Callicoon
friend Ben Taylor had started an
outreach program for substance
abusers.”
- The Book of Mychal by Michael Daly
3
Summer 2016
Sharing the Message
During his life, Father Mychal Judge shared his message with the rich and the poor, the
healthy and the sick, firefighters and police officers, the Franciscan friars, and the many
men, women and children who called him ’friend.’ His message was simple,
interdenominational, and touched many lives. It is the mission of Mychal’s Message to
continue sharing that message with others. It is a grace to walk in his footsteps and
encounter the homeless and poor, meeting basic needs, while restoring dignity with love.
My God is a God of Surprises
Although we are approaching fifteen years since September 11, 2001 many of us are still dealing with
the shock and horror that continues to shake the world. The original losses and continuing casualties at
home and throughout the world are a constant reminder of the cruelty that hatred inflicts on all of us.
However, the positive message of Father Mychal will continue to be a shinning beacon for all of those
who knew him and those who learn about his ministry.
Father Mychal was humble, but not shy. All of his passions and beliefs, fears and failings were well
documented in his own words. His private and public statements in print, (that now include countless
tee shirts and prayer cards), as well as some recordings, will continue to make his priestly work stand
out as a testimonial to Christ's love.
But the most impressive outcome of Father Mychal's ministry is how the words and works of just one
Franciscan can inspire so many people of all faiths and persuasions. His sadly needed vow for "Peace
and Good" - Pax et Bonum, is a belief that could bring relief to all of us.
So much has happened to so many in the last fifteen years that the list would go on forever. Our lives
are so personal that very few people really know what we have experienced, suffered, or celebrated.
Father Mychal was all about helping people to individually celebrate God's
love, and then showing them how to comfort the afflicted with compassion,
and humor whenever possible.
However, if Father Mychal saw all of these words he would laugh (because he
knew that it was not about him), and advise me to get out there and serve.
“The magic", he would say, "is in the actions, not the words; go out and see
what my God of surprises has in store for you today."
In Christ's service,
Rev. Everett Wabst (pictured right with Father Mychal)
A friend of Father Mychal
Mychal’s Messenger
4
Summer 2016
New Project
Blessed Bloomers XV
a jubilee collection dedicated to Robert and Sharon Hickey
on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary
through Christmas 2016
Robert “Bob” Hickey first met Father Mychal Judge in the 1960’s at St.
Joseph’s Church in East Rutherford, NJ. Bob was an altar boy then who admired and
respected Father Mychal for the special feeling he brought to the Mass. “He made me see the holiness and joy that
was possible in this celebration,” Bob shared, and “his example surely changed my life.” Later, when Bob married
Sharon, Father Mychal embraced her, and the two became fast friends. He even gave her a special gift —an antique
high chair. Father Mychal knew Sharon loved antiques and said, “Everyone who loves antiques should have an
antique high chair. This one is from 1890.” That high chair still holds a prominent place in Bob and Sharon’s
home. As the years passed, their family grew, and as they faced the joys and sorrows of life, Father Mychal was
there. Two decades later, when their granddaughter, Shannon, was born with a rare liver disease and needed a liver
transplant, Father Mychal was there. “He was a caring man, a loving priest, a great friar, and my friend,” Bob
shared.
On September 11, 2001, Bob and Sharon were among the many who mourned the loss of this great friar,
priest, and chaplain, a friend they’d known for over 40 years. It was their granddaughter who discovered a way for
the family to honor the life of Father Mychal and to share his message as Mychal’s Message was born.
This year Bob and Sharon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Father Mychal’s example surely
changed their lives. It was, after all, in early 2002 when Sharon approached her family with an unusual request. “I
know what I want for my birthday,” she told them, “men’s underwear.” It seemed right after her granddaughter
Shannon’s successful socks for the homeless collection earlier that year. And, so, because of Father Mychal’s
example and Sharon’s willingness to go where he guided, “Blessed Bloomers” was born. Therefore, we dedicate
this year’s Blessed Bloomers collection to Bob and Sharon—whose days are now filled with sorting and packing
underwear, sending handwritten thank you notes and prayer cards, and teaching the next generation how to love.
Your tax-deductible donation of $9.11 will provide a package of Blessed Bloomers. Each package will
contain one boxer and one brief, one T-shirt, two pairs of socks, and two mints and a prayer card.
Please send your donation to:
MYCHAL’S MESSAGE
P.O. Box 6404
Lancaster, PA 17607
You may also make a donation online at www.mychalsmessage.org.
Mychal’s Messenger
5
Summer 2016
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LANCASTER, PA
Mychal’s Message
P.O. Box 6404
Lancaster, PA 17607
PERMIT NO. 565
www.mychalsmessage.org
[email protected]
Mychal’s Messenger
Summer 2016
The Father Mychal F. Judge Walk of Remembrance
In the sharing of our stories, we walk to remember, to honor, to witness and to love.
YOU ARE INVITED
to the annual
Walk of Remembrance in New York City.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
St. Francis of Assisi Church
135 West 31st Street
New York, NY
Rosary 8:45 a.m.
Holy Mass 9:30 a.m.
Walk begins promptly after Mass and takes approximately 3 hours.
At Walk of Remembrance 2015 (front L to R) Rev. Everett
Wabst, Kelly Lynch, Det. Steven McDonald, Sharon Hickey;
(back L to R) Joe Lynch, Bob Hickey.
SEE INSIDE! Read Rev. Wabst’s reflection on the 15th
anniversary (page 4) and new project description (page
5) for Bob and Sharon’s story.
Join us as we retrace the last steps of Father Mychal Judge and
remember all those who died on September 11, 2001. The Walk will
conclude on the steps of St. Peter’s Church near Ground Zero. It was
on the altar of this church that Father Mychal Judge’s body was brought
on September 11, 2001.