Russell Cain

At the morning Mass September 6, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic School in Port Lavaca was honored to receive a memento of Mother Teresa, recently declared “Saint Teresa” by Pope Francis. The presentation of a framed authenticated letter and photograph was presented to Father Tommy Chen and School Principal Thersa Dent by local realtor, Russell Cain. Russell had purchased the document from an antique dealer in New York.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta
1910-1997

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women, dedicated to helping the poor. In time, it grew to help orphans, the dying, those suffering from leprosy and AIDS and others in need. It began with only 12 members in Calcutta, India and now consists of over 4,500 sisters and is currently active in 133 countries.

Mother Teresa’s work touched the consciences of many and encouraged even the most cynical hearts. Not only Roman Catholics, but people of all religions and denominations considered her selflessness praiseworthy and her spiritual gifts beyond belief. Mother Teresa said, “It is not the magnitude of our actions, but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.” She herself personified love – love for all “the unwanted, the unloved and the uncared for.”

Mother Teresa’s world-wide popularity and the accolades and recognition she received from the most prominent did not influence her personality or her behavior. Her lifestyle remained modest and she remained ready to joyously serve rather than to be served.

Despite the fame and awards, Mother Teresa humbly summed up her life using these words, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”