Angels All Around You: Holy Angels

ANGELS ALL AROUND YOU

- Holy Angels Residential Facility Spotlight -

Karen Dill, Spiritual Director

I SWEAR AS SOON as you drive through the gate, the air changes. When you come to Holy Angels Residential Facility on Ellerbe Road, you enter a sacred space. Holy ground, dedicated by Bishop Charles Greco in the 1960’s to serve children born with disabilities “from cradle to grave.” Today, the residents have a variety of diagnoses, but the mission remains the same. Angels are all around you. First, you might notice the Worker Angels. They’re everywhere, busy doing their jobs. Cooking meals, cleaning rooms, teaching classes at Angel Works, doing therapy, answering phones. They will tell you that this is their vocation. Some of them have worked here for decades. They are models of selflessness; I am always humbled by their examples. Next, you might encounter the Parent Angels. These are people whose babies were born with birth defects. They cared for their children as long and as well as they could; then they bravely entrusted them to the care of the workers here. They got past their grief and stayed connected. Many of them visit and volunteer regularly. They’ll tell you they’ve been especially blessed. Then you’ll discover the Volunteer Angels. These are talented people in our community who show up to freely donate their God-given gifts to enhance the lives of the residents. Some are artists who help make jewelry, pottery, pillows and paintings in the Angel Works building. Some volunteer in the gift shop on campus. Others work at the “Taste,” a festival of food and art, each fall or at Angel Run in the spring, two of the big annual fundraisers. Some play music at Sunday Mass in the chapel. They will tell you that they’re blessed, too. The Guardian Angels look down from heaven. They have provided divine assistance in times of crisis: budget cuts; ice storms; pandemics and staff shortages. Somehow this haven has beat the odds. Miracles occur here daily if your spiritual eyes are open. I must include the Archangel, Laurie Boswell, the CEO of Holy Angels for the past 15 years. She’s responsible for 175 residents and her staff of over 200 employees. Like the Archangel Michael, she would fight dragons to ensure their safety. I don’t know how she sleeps at night! And then there are the Resident Angels themselves, the reason this slice of heaven exists. They are cherubim who come in all shapes and sizes, each one beautiful in his or her own right. They have different ability levels and unique personalities. They have become each other’s friends and extended family members. There’s Scott, who can paint a blue dog better than Rodrigue himself. There’s Russell, who likes to dance to Bruno Mars and takes the stage with Windstorm every year at the Taste. There’s Paul, who can lead an assembly in prayer every chance he’s given. Or LeeLee, who bakes a mean chocolate chip cookie. Each angel reflects God’s glory. Their lives are meaningful and fruitful in unexpected ways. On any day of the week, the grounds are buzzing with activities. Parades, pep rallies, pageants, pool parties, proms. Despite their disabilities, these residents experience a quality of life that most of us can only hope to achieve. Surrounded by people who love them, God’s presence enfolds them each second, soft as an angel’s wings. If you visit, expect a warm welcome. They love to shake your hand, hug your neck, tell you their stories. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers about the last judgment. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. In many ways, the residents of Holy Angels fall into this category. They are vulnerable and helpless, dependent on the many hands who care for them each day. If you feel called to respect their lives, send a check. Volunteer. Say a prayer. Or come out to their home at 10450 Ellerbe Road and visit them in person. I promise you’ll hear harp music!