I have been a storyteller for most of my adult years. I discovered my ease at standing in front of others to share a story, when I was running for election as Student President of Humber College back in the late 1970s. Upon winning I was called upon to speak at many different events: some casual, some more formal, and a few where you really didn’t want to mess up.

My comfort grew when I joined a Christian community in 1982, associated with Covenant House, where we served street kids. Every night before lights out a member of the team would be given a few minutes to remind the youth of the house rules and to provide encouragement for the next day, which mostly included finding work and accommodation, addressing health care issues or attending school. It was important to find a new spin for the same difficult challenges, and encouraging stories of other’s success helped.

For many years I worked in senior positions with charities where my role was to ask individuals and corporations for financial support. What a pleasure it was to tell the true stories of the people we helped, demonstrating the impact of the services and the importance of donor’s contributions. Depending on the situation I was also called upon to prepare written proposals and impact reports, and to meet personally with donors to describe how their participation was making a difference for individuals and families.  

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Now, as a result of memory loss, most of my story telling is done in the context of volunteer activity. For example, I co-facilitate our parish Confirmation catechesis for youth in the public schools. Over many years, I have used stories to bring our Catholic faith alive for the parents and youth, seeking to illustrate the blessings  and joy of living in relationship with God.  

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I have also participated in our parish RCIA program for the past five years, sponsoring individuals seeking to become Catholic. In this context it is helpful to recall the stories of Scripture, as well as to share my own story of how my Catholic faith has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I have been inspired by the faith stories of my fellow sponsors and the fervent desire of those seeking to join our Catholic church.

Sadly, as my memory loss progresses, I sometimes struggle to hold my stories together, ensuring accuracy and getting to the point I want to make. Earlier this year I considered resigning from my volunteer roles, but thankfully the Bride encouraged me to hang in there and keep contributing. Fortunately, I am not embarrassed by carrying the Cross of memory loss.  At the start of each year, I tell the participants ‘I am an old man with memory issues’ and I might struggle with confusion and probably won’t remember their names. So far, I have been able to continue and I am grateful for everyone’s support.    

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I don’t want to stop telling my stories because they remind me of who I am, where I have been, and those people who have blessed  and inspired me along the way. I can speak of being the Catholic kid who held his own as he verbally sparred with an atheist and an agnostic, while we travelled together through Scandinavia in 1980. I can also tell the story of meeting with Mother Teresa in Calcutta in 1982 and seeing the work of the Missionaries of Charity as they served the suffering and dying. The next year I wandered the streets of Time Square in New York City while participating in a faith formation program and readying myself to live in community while working with street kids. These experiences from my younger years, and so many others since, opened my mind and heart to God’s ongoing presence.  

It is important that we, people of faith, reflect on the lessons we have learned and be prepared to share how God helps us to live joyfully and keep loving. It is my happy experience when we let our light shine others appreciate and are blessed by our faith-filled witness.