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Commentary

By Liz Quirin

Merry Christmas George Bailey

I met two people the other day, one in the morning, one in the evening. One had the well-oiled look and handshake of a real shyster, the other the wide-open, genuine look and handshake of a humble, generous man. We all know both types and during this Christmas season we see more of both. Since it’s the last Messenger of the year, and Christmas as well, I prefer talking about a man his fellow parishioners describe as the “George Bailey” of St. Stephen’s in Caseyville.

Most of us know the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart where friends and family surround and save him at the end of the film. He is, of course, astonished at the number of people who care deeply about him.

Although John Coury doesn’t work in films, he had a similar surprise recently. He lost his job a month ago and decided it was time to return to northern Indiana to be with his family. People at St. Stephen’s decided to host a farewell party for him, and the turnout was tremendous. People stopped their shopping and baking and decorating to share some time with John before he leaves.

After I spoke with young and old, I could see why. When somebody says they’ll do anything for you, they don’t generally mean “anything” literally, but evidently John does. Wow, wish I’d known that last month when I needed to nail the gutter back on before the wind blew it off. Even though he’s out of work, he doesn’t want to be paid for his generosity.

More than fixing things, working a Bingo or other parish volunteer job, he spent time with people who were sick or just needed somebody to visit. That was time maybe another family member didn’t have, but John did.

A man of contrasts, he’s quiet but outgoing, capable but humble, spiritual yet very real. And he’s leaving. They will miss him, his presence, his ability to fix anything and his warmth and love for all of them.

While we could all be envious of the folks at St. Stephen’s who have enjoyed John’s love and warmth and kindness, we need to look around our own circles. John, while a unique individual, isn’t the only person who lives his life this way — giving and not judging, working without grumbling and spreading joy wherever he goes.

Just as we know people like the shyster, we know people like John too. Maybe we don’t recognize them because they’re not living with a publicity agent telling everybody all the things they do for others. Over the years, I’ve met many of these people in the diocese and around the world. They just don’t travel with a brass band to trumpet their arrival. They travel with Jesus and recognize him in every person they meet. Would that we could do the same. Merry Christmas to all the George and Georgette Baileys of the world. May their numbers increase as we grow in faith and love of one another.