The church says welcome

Every year during one weekend in June, Akron, OH is alive with the roar of motorcycles as folks from all over the country come to pay tribute to the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Bob. You can read more about that historical event and Dr. Bob at these links:

Akron Ohio News – Local documentary debuts at Founders’ Day
Dr. Bob

Some locals take full advantage with yard sales galore and some folks even sell T-shirts that they had especially made for the occasion.

But I think most of us see all the motorcycles and think, “Wow, is it Founder’s Day already?!” and then we make a mental note to stay away from that part of town to avoid the traffic and congestion.

Today our homilist, Father Yahner, told us his Founder’s Day experience. Like most of us, he has been aware of Founders Day but hadn’t ever really participated in any of the activities. As fate would have it, he was substituting for the 7:00 a.m. mass at a downtown church, preparing for mass when he could hear the roar of the motor cycles go past the church on their way from the University of Akron to Dr. Bob’s gravesite for a memorial service and celebration.

The spirit moved Father Yahner and he suddenly decided that he wanted to do something to show welcome and love to all of these AA out of towners. With his priestly vestments on he stood outside of the church (it was already 80 degrees!) and started blessing the riders as they drove past the church. The riders responded with smiles, whoops of enthusiasm, honking their horns and giving lots of peace signs! Father wanted them to know that the church cared, the church loves them, and supported them. I think he did that. And now Father Yahner can say that he truly did participate in Founder’s Day!

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