National Day of Kindness
National Day of Kindness
On Wednesday morning, ABC News ran a story about an anonymous man called The Miracle Man on the National Day of Kindness. According to the news story, the "Miracle Man" in Colorado has been quietly slipping cash into well-known spots across the state every day for the past four months. Inspired by his “second life”—a chapter he began after facing a transformative experience—he sees this as his way of spreading kindness and hope. His mission has become a daily ritual aimed at lifting spirits and encouraging positivity in the community. His efforts have drawn attention not just for the generosity of the act but for the mystery and goodwill it inspires in others.
Everyday is Day of Kindness at St. Sarkis Church
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this heartwarming story. It made me reflect on similar acts of kindness and selflessness I frequently witness in our community. Specifically, I think about last week's annual Salt & Light Retreat. I am pleased to report that it was a successful weekend, and most children had a memorable experience. However, this weekend was only possible with the dedicated efforts of our facilitators.
I want to give special recognition to Mrs. Nyrie Bedrossian, the Salt and Light Ministries chair at St. Sarkis Church. She has been instrumental in launching this ministry and continues to lead the group in a well-structured and organized manner. The strong relationship between her and the facilitators is crucial to the success of our program. It’s not easy for any adult to leave the comfort of their beds to spend a night in a camp cabin, yet our facilitators willingly make this sacrifice to provide a meaningful experience for our youth.
Another highlight of the Retreat weekend was the Armenian BBQ, generously provided by Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Lilit Indzigulian. They prepared a detailed three-course meal, including grilled chicken, pork, beef steak, and delicious side dishes like char-grilled potatoes. The Indzigulians' unique generosity is yet another example of the kindness and selflessness in our community.
The saddest event from last week occurred on Saturday evening, when our faithful parishioners, Alina and Eddy Kochoumian, experienced a devastating house fire that resulted in the loss of their home and possessions. We thank God that no one was injured and that the Kochoumian family is safe.
Alina and Eddy are cherished members of our parish. Alina serves as our devoted Treasurer on the Board of Trustees and works tirelessly for the benefit of our Church. She has expressed her deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from our parishioners, who have reached out to offer assistance.
When hardship strikes any of us, our St. Sarkis parish rallies together to help one another through these challenges. Many of you have asked how we can assist Alina and Eddy during this difficult time. The Board Members, the Chairwomen, and I are in daily contact with the Kochoumians, who are in the early stages of coping with their loss, supported by close friends and family. In the coming days, we will update you with a plan to ease their burden collectively.
We pray that God will strengthen the Kochoumians as they navigate this challenging journey.
National Kindness Day maybe just a single day on the calendar, but in our community, kindness is practiced every day.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Nareg