The Profile of a Messenger

A legacy is something that passes the test of time, creating a ripple effect that shifts the course of humanity in some profound way. Those people that have dared to live their truth, stepping out to make a difference in others’ lives, and had passion beyond their limitations and fears, and those that went to the ledge and jumped, are reminders of the potential that is within all of us.

I would imagine Archbishop John Martin Henni wasn’t necessarily thinking about his legacy when he aggressively and zealously took on the charge of helping destitute children who had lost their parents and providers during the cholera era in Cincinnati in 1836. I am sure at that time he wasn’t thinking I would have the forethought to lay a foundation and build an organization, St. Aloysius Orphanage, which will still exist 182 years later. He was thinking about saving lives.

People like John Martin Henni took that mindful walk to encourage the people of his time to pay attention to what was happening around them. Because of their courage and tenacity, he inspired many others to take action and thousands of lives have been saved and/or changed. He focused on the solution and made a difference.

Everywhere I go I always fall in love with people. I take my role at St. Aloysius very seriously. I have devoted my life to advocating the value of every human life. And I passionately believe we must take care of our children and be a voice for those who have no voice. Each of us is a messenger.

A great messenger touches the hearts, souls and minds of people with his or her message. They are those exceptional people, people just like you and me, Mother Teresa, our grandmothers, our neigh- bors, Nelson Mandela, the children raising money at the lemonade stand, the young lady helping the blind man across the street, the people who sit on boards of not-for-profit organizations who help drive the missions that impact so many lives every day.

The list goes on, those we will always remember because of the lifelong positive affect they have had on our communities and our world. We remember their great example they have set and some continue to set; we remember what they have taught us. And in any one given moment we can recall their faces and the profound effect they have had on our lives. 

Their legacy is the example of excellence that has shaped us over many generations, that embodies what it means to be a leader. Those who have genuinely cared and presented the results of that caring, which is a byproduct of bringing out the best in all of us. Those messengers are national and personal treasures.

A messenger is a forerunner, an official carrier, in a matter of personal duty committed, convicted and passionately conveys a message in such a way that there is a call-to-action. And their example has enough impact to make others want to do the same.

This is a reminder that as we go into a new year in this modern world with all of our technology, we are still empowered, most importantly, to be engaged and be a part of empowering and inspiring each other. Many times, through our response of being a person that is good, kind, and believing in the best in other people and believes that everyone has a message, we impact what that message will be through our role as messenger.

We can decide right now that this year is going to be different for us because we will be different. Someone told me recently, "We chose how and who we are going to be as a person; we make that choice." The future belongs to those who have a greater vision and a greater message. A message like the one of John Martin Henni has left a legacy 183 years later that still impacts hundreds of thousands of children’s lives. That is a message and a messenger that will not soon be forgotten. 

To learn more about St. Aloysius Orphanage or to speak with Thomas Courtney, St. Aloysius’ Chief People Person, please contact him at 513.242.7600 ext. 4308, email TCourtney@stalsorphanage.org, or visit their website at www.staloysiuscincinnati.org.