Why?

This past weekend was Sausagefest, our school's biggest fundraiser of the year, which also holds the title of "third largest event in the Tr-Cities." When asking about planning events and big projects, people in our community are often told that it can't be done until "after Sausagefest."

After working here for over a decade, I have become accustomed to the traditions of the two day "festival of family fun." Sure, the tempting aromas of sausage, French fries (which I can never say no to!) and cotton candy draw me out to the event, and this year I was thrilled at the opportunity to perform with my tap class and chairing my first booth (more about that later), but my personality has never been one that is naturally attracted to big crowds, biergartens, and loud music. But this year brought many important, unexpected lessons and reminders of my identity.

This year I felt called to chair a booth, and one was assigned to me: The Bounce House. I learned very quickly that I am no expert at giant inflatables; nor was I prepared to undertake this task! I was fortunate enough to have the owners of Bouncin' Bins support me during the first few shifts, but I had to do a lot of improvising along the way, too, before I was comfortable with my assignment. I learned that no matter what, people will always search for ways to work around the rules. (Sometimes parents are worse than the kids!) I learned that one of the biggest advantages to having an engineer as a volunteer is that he will make sure things running efficiently. I learned that there ARE kids out there who are willing to work hard. And most importantly, I learned that perseverance in love and the Food of the Valiant can take you a lot farther than you expect. If anything, I was completely relieved with the number of people who came to help me when they didn't have to, and I learned that much can be gained simply by stepping out of my comfort zone.

I have said to many around me that Sausagefest isn't about the money. Of course this sentiment is not a common one because its primary goal is to fundraise. This year I even had the audacity to say it's not about the school or the community either. I'm sure that that won't win me any friends either, but bear with me.

When I was about 10 years old, my older brother was a college student majoring in physics. He hoped to become an engineer for NASA, and he brought home big books with titles like "quantum mechanics." I asked him why he had those big books, and our conversation went something like this:

"Why do you have these books?"

"So I can study."

"Why?"

"Because it's my major."

"Why"

"So I can graduate."

"Why?

"Because I want to work for NASA."

"Why?

"For the glory of God."

"Why?"

"There's no other reason. That's where the why ends."

At the ripe age of ten, I had nothing to say after that. That conversation has stayed with me after all these years. When people ask me for why something matters, or why I do what I do, I want to have that same response, "For the glory of God." And that's why this past weekend wasn't about the money. It wasn't about the school. It wasn't about getting together as a community to rally around a cause. Ultimately, I invested in this weekend because I care about the souls of those around me, and I care that through all things, God may be glorified. There's nothing bigger than Him.

So when people ask me what the best part of Sausagefest was, I can't say it was about the sausage or the French fries or the cotton candy or the support system or even the lessons I learned...as good as they were. The best part of Sausagefest was learning that one of our parish priests sat outside in the middle of the noise, heard confession, and pointed people to the way of mercy and grace. Why? Why else? For the glory of God.