“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” The roots of that statement derive through a modified translation of the history of the Greeks against the Persians around 500 BCE as described by Heredotus. The Persians operated a system of mounted postal couriers who demonstrated the same diligence and loyalty as the U.S. postal service workers today. It is not the creed of present day mail carriers, rather an expression inscribed on the wall of a post office in New York.
The diligence and loyalty of the U.S. postal service is legendary. A similar diligence is found in the pasty workers of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby, whose daunting determination in the midst of a global pandemic is inspirational. Over the years, pasties from St. Joseph’s have become nourishment, both physically and spiritually. In previous years I have written about the profound sense of community that emanates from the pasty project. Today that sense of community and commitment is most important. Successfully working together radiates care, love and respect for each other --.and those are some of the attributes that fortify community, that nourishes dignity and the need to be relevant, that stand opposed to greed and care-less attitudes.
Sadly, many people have died in this pandemic, not only in the United States, but worldwide. And as hard as it is, we must focus on what is left, not what is lost. The pasty project is wholesome and beneficial not only for those who eat the pasties but also as a demonstration of an activity that defeats pandemic depression. Made with loving hands and warm hearts, the project is exactly what is needed today to offset the despair, worry and anxiety of the coronavirus.
Leon Schefers
Ironton
