September 20, 2012 | Issue 4 | Vol. 4www.olgcnj.orgThe <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Courier | 13
14 | The <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Courier Vol. 4 | Issue 4 | September 20, 2012www.olgcnj.orgCrossing Paths With Tom and Jane McCorkellBy Dr. LindaDixIntroductionHigh on a mountaintop in Jamaica therestands a beautiful retreat center, farm, andchildren’s orphanage called Beatitude House.Twenty <strong>of</strong> our parishioners worked there thisApril and were filled with the beauty and thegrace <strong>of</strong> God’s presence both in nature andactive ministry with the poor.I was amazed at what I saw because I canremember eight short years ago climbing thisvery mountain, with Brother Max leading thegroup and holding a machete while cuttingbranches so we could climb even higher toview the pristine land donated to the Brothersfor their apostolates with the poor, the difficulty<strong>of</strong> the climb, and the team effort it took toaccomplish the task.Now, volunteers from around the worldcome there on retreat and to work with thedisabled children <strong>of</strong> Beatitude House. Beforethe retreat center, there also lies two burialsites, one <strong>of</strong> Father Art <strong>New</strong>ell and another <strong>of</strong>Mr. Johnson, two human beings devoted to theministry <strong>of</strong> the Missionaries <strong>of</strong> the Poor. No onein our group knew them and one <strong>of</strong> the doctorsasked, “Do you know who these people are?”Memories <strong>of</strong> twenty years <strong>of</strong> parish workin Jamaica came flooding back to me. I tookpictures because I know who did know thestory <strong>of</strong> their lives, indeed, the very story<strong>of</strong> how this beautiful place called Mt. Taborcame to be and more, how <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong><strong>Counsel</strong> became so involved with the poorest<strong>of</strong> the poor in Jamaica; namely, Tom and JaneMcCorkell. “Big Tom” and “Nurse Jane” asthey are known in Jamaica with great love andrespect. There is never a trip wherein a Brother,priest, sister, or resident approaches me andasks “ How are Tom and Jane…I pray for themalways.” This is their story…Jane’s ReflectionsTires were burning in the roads and therewas no way <strong>of</strong> getting into Kingston as the gaswars were raging and Jamaica was in a turmoil,Jane recalls. I did not think we would get to themission <strong>of</strong> Father Ho Lung but somehow, thevan with the Brothers and ourselves got throughand we found ourselves at Corpus Christi, thehome <strong>of</strong> the Brothers at that time.Father Ho Lung was preparing to go tothe Jamaican arena and speak to the crowds<strong>of</strong> Jamaicans protesting about the price <strong>of</strong> gasand the oppression it was causing the country.I remember he turned to one <strong>of</strong> the brothersbefore he left for the stadium and simply said,“Brother, you know what to do in case I do notreturn.” I knew he meant he could be killedby the violence <strong>of</strong> the mob. Tom and I wantedto go with him but he simply asked us to prayfor him and pray we did…I have never stoppedpraying for the Missionaries <strong>of</strong> the Poor. I prayfor Father Ho Lung, and every volunteer whogoes on a mission trip in our parish becauseI can remember being so very nervous aboutgoing that first time, even to the point <strong>of</strong> beingill, and simply asking the Lord to take me intohis hands and help me on this trip.When I arrived at Faith Center, one <strong>of</strong> theMOP apostolates where we worked, I lookedup and saw the most beautiful stained glasswindow <strong>of</strong> black hands reaching down from thechapel window. All my anxiety washed awayand I felt I was held in the arms <strong>of</strong> the Lord andthat feeling has never, ever left me.I was so blessed to be able to teach theBrothers about the basics <strong>of</strong> nursing, first aid,and wound care in those early years. I drewpictures <strong>of</strong> the skeletal system and held themup on the brothers so they could get an idea <strong>of</strong>basic anatomy.I washed the floors <strong>of</strong> the centers whereexcrement accumulated and one day was aboutto wring out the mop <strong>of</strong> filth when a youngJamaican child resident reached for that samemop and exclaimed with pride, “No, Miss,that is my job in the family!” Tears filled myeyes as I had experienced the presence <strong>of</strong> theLord there.Tom RemembersWheelchairs and wheel chair repairs werea big problem at the centers, Tom explained. Icarried a suitcase filled with wheelchair partsand traveled from center to center trying to fixand repair what was already there. I still havethat suitcase!Father Art <strong>New</strong>ell retired from active ministryin <strong>New</strong> York and came to live with the Brothers.His job every day was to wash clothes on theground floor and carry the wet basket to thesweltering second floor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong> Shepherdto hang them. He celebrated his fiftiethanniversary <strong>of</strong> Priesthood at a moving liturgyin Jamaica and I can remember the amazedfaces <strong>of</strong> his family as I took pictures from thealtar. They were so moved by the beauty <strong>of</strong> theMass and his happiness at being part <strong>of</strong> theirlives. I am happy to know that he was buried inJamaica in such a beautiful place on Mt. Tabor.Mr. Johnson lived with the Brothers. Hisone job was to be the guard and greeter at thegates <strong>of</strong> Corpus Christi. He welcomed all thevisitors and opened the gates every time thebrothers vans would come through, which, inthose days, was <strong>of</strong>ten as Corpus Christi wasthe only residence <strong>of</strong> the Brothers. He tookhis job to heart and did it well as he loved theMissionaries <strong>of</strong> the Poor and loved to welcomevisitors to the missions. He was grateful to havea home.My initial trip with 9 other parishionersfound us leaving in an ice and snow stormarriving in Jamaica in blazing sun. <strong>Our</strong> firstday consisted <strong>of</strong> visiting each <strong>of</strong> Father HoLung’s facilities and getting the lay <strong>of</strong> the land.That evening, Father told us that the Brothersneeded some time <strong>of</strong>f for prayer and a day <strong>of</strong>retreat. We would be in charge the followingday and take over their duties. Needless to saywe all were a little worried taking charge <strong>of</strong>something we knew nothing about.Continued on page 15