On a Mission from God

This morning, we were privileged to meet the young lady in this photo. She served with us at the Saturday Mass on the Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori.

Her name is Kara Jackson.

She has Down syndrome.

Kara is an Altar Server in her home parish in Ohio, and God has asked her to serve at the altar in all fifty states.

When she told her parents this, they were somewhat dubious. They took her to see a respected, elderly Monsignor of sound judgement with the idea that he would talk her out of such foolishness.

This particular Monsignor was in his 90s, and he said that he’d celebrated Mass in all fifty states, so such a thing was perfectly possible.

This was not the answer that Kara’s parents were hoping for.

So they went with her to their pastor in hopes that he would talk some sense. Their pastor merely asked to be included as their chaplain when they got to Alaska and Hawai’i.

So they began their trek, which has lasted for years already. They call ahead to make sure that Kara will be welcomed and that her serving would not present any difficulties. For Washington State, they picked our parish of Holy Rosary in Tacoma precisely because of Fr. Maurer, whose developmentally disabled brother has in the past served at the altar here.

That and the fact that Kara has a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother, even taking Mary as her confirmation name.

Washington was state number 30 for Kara.

The family is driving down to Oregon this afternoon, and they’ll be in California on Monday. Then, it’s back to Ohio.

Kara hopes to serve at least one of the Masses for Pope Francis when he visits the United States in September.

It was a positive delight to serve at the altar of the Lord with this young lady.