 |
|
Chalice rescuer Georgina Boyd along with Father David Fontaine, O.Carm.
|
|
| |
|
Over dinner a few weeks ago a visiting Carmelite sister asked if I had heard about a woman in California who “rescues” chalices from eBay. Not only had I heard of her, but one of her “rescued” chalices was in the priory at that moment, having just arrived via UPS, and was soon to continue its journey to our Carmelite parish in Torreon, Mexico. Accompanying that chalice was a letter from the chalice rescuer— Georgina M. Boyd—asking that the chalice be carried to Torreon next time someone travels there. The letter also explained how Georgina got started in this novel ministry.
Her “Chalice Project” all started in October 2005, when she had the idea that, since it was the closing of the “Year of the Eucharist,” she would like to donate a chalice to a Catholic mission. She mentioned this idea to Carmelite Father David Fontaine, at her parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Fairfield, California, and he said that chalices were rather expensive. Georgina, with strong faith and a strong devotion to the Eucharist, said, “If God really wants me to do this, then He will help me find a chalice I can afford.” She quickly found out that chalices were indeed rather expensive, but then she had the idea to check eBay.
“I went to eBay as soon as I had the idea and found three affordable chalices—all brand new. I placed bids on all three and won them,” she writes. Thinking that chalices, especially used ones, should not be left to possible profane use, she set out to purchase more. By Christmas, with the help of her friends who jumped on board her “rescue project,” she had purchased 30 chalices. The next problem, finding homes for them all.
| |
|
| |
Some eBay chalices enroute to new homes
|
She mentioned, “These chalices have become like my children. I have been careful about three things when placing them:
- That the priest receiving a chalice should like it. If he does not like it for any reason he should return it to me and I will pay the return postage. After all, it will not move someone closer to Christ if it is setting on a shelf somewhere.
- That the chalice be used as often as possible.
- That it preferably be used in serving the poor, immigrants and especially in serving children.”
Before sending a rescued chalice to a new home, Georgina has a biblical passage inscribed on the base. She trusts that the Holy Spirit will make sure the right message gets to the right priest. She writes, “I have had four priests write to me to say that the chalice they received had their favorite scripture passage inscribed on it. Apparently the Holy Spirit is doing a great job in this area!”
|
