“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

— Helen Keller

I have learned through interviewing that everyone has a story to tell ”“ told by the people who lived them. Capturing the stories that define us and bind us together represents a wondrous celebration of our shared humanity.

Thanks to all the folks who share their story ”“ participants and listeners ”“ who give “The Zaffie Show” life and meaning. This show is about everyday people. If we listen we will find wisdom, wonder and poetry in the lives and stories of the people all around us.

We all have memories: “Mother! Home!” is the safe”“kept memory of being wrapped in a mother’s great gift of love. A mother’s love and faith and hope stand out through any age. No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love. All these qualities ”“ gentle strength, love of beauty, care and nurturing, an unmistakable sense of warmth, ”“ are part of a mother’s spirit.

Timothy Dwight, former president of Yale University, whose grandmother, Sara Edwards, was the wife of the famous theologian Johnathan Edwards, said, “All that I am and all I will ever be I owe to my mother.”

For my brothers and I, her love will always radiate, though only in our quiet recollection, for we lost our mother at a very young age and she is not here. I don’t remember her laughter but I do recall her hats. Someone always asks, “Why do you wear hats?” I wear hats because, to me, it represents the inexpressible love and gentleness which none but a mother bestows.

We celebrate when we work to make our lives beautiful. We celebrate when we take the time to nurture ourselves and our families. Remember Mother while she lives, and with loving memories if she is gone.

For an interesting and inspiring afternoon, The Good Shepherd Parish invites you to come listen to the conversion story of Marcus Grodi, held Sunday afternoon on May 7, 6:30 pm, at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford.

Marcus Grodi and his wife, Marilyn, were both “cradle Protestants.” Marcus received his bachelor’s degree from Case Institute of Technology in Polymer Engineering and worked for six years as an engineer. During this time he was involved in a variety of Protestant youth and music ministries. He then received his master of divinity degree from Gordo”“Conwell Theological Seminary and was ordained to the Protestant

pastoral ministry.

During his more than 15 years of youth, young adulthood, and pastoral ministry, his main emphasis was church and spiritual renewal. Marilyn, Marc and their two older sons, Jon Marc and Peter, were received into the Catholic Church on Dec. 20, 1992. Their third son, Richard, entered through baptism.

Marcus now serves as the founder/president of Coming Home Network International, a non”“profit Catholic lay apostolate dedicated to helping brethren, both clergy and laity, separated from the Catholic Church to come home.

He also hosts “The Journey Home,” a weekly television program that airs each Monday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on EWTN. He is the author of “What Must I do to be Saved?” and “Thoughts for the Journey Home,” as well as the novels “How Firm a Foundation” and “Pillar and Bulwark,” and is the editor and author of “Journeys Home.” He has taught courses in catechetics, youth ministry, leadership, and theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Pontifical College Josephinum. He has written a regular article for “The Catholic Answer” magazine and other Catholic publications.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].