God’s Gofer
Eight-year old Carmella Petrosino wanted to work for God. But she didn't think she was good at doing anything. She was stuck working for her mom, delivering babies.
In those days, doctors didn't deliver babies. Instead, specially trained women called midwives did. And, Carmella's mother was a very good midwife.
But she had a problem. All the mothers in town having babies were Italian and didn't speak English. And Carmella's mother only spoke Spanish. Poor, poor, Carmella's mother.
But, eight-year old Carmella could speak Italian, Spanish and English.
So one day, an Italian mother, who already had four children, was having another baby. And Carmella's mother needed Carmella to help.
After the baby was delivered, something went wrong, and soon the Italian mother became very sick. Carmella began praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the doctor came there was nothing he could do. The mother was dying.
Carmella quickly spoke up. "Mother, shall I go get the holy priest?" Even though he was a new priest that's what they called Fr. Solanus. He was already famous for making people better.
"Yes, yes!" Carmella's mother said, "Go for the holy priest, at once!"
Carmella did not know what Fr. Solanus could do. But she knew he was special.
So, she ran up to the church where Fr. Solanus lived. Then Carmella led Fr. Solanus back down into the valley where the poor mother was dying.
Fr. Solanus walked into the house and asked, "Where is the holy water?" Back then every house was supposed to have a bottle of holy water. But the family did not have any. Fr. Solanus said, "Oh, poor, poor, poor. We need holy water."
He turned to little Carmella and said, "Carmella, do you have a bottle of holy water at your house?"
Carmella looked at her mother who said, "Yes Father, we do." Then she turned to her daughter, "Carmella, go for the holy water. It’s in the small blue bottle in the bookcase. Do you know where that is?"
Carmella thought for a moment -- and then was able to picture in her mind the small blue bottle of holy water next to her father’s bible on the bookshelf. "Yes, mother. I know it."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" her mother said. "The holy priest is waiting. Go for it."
In an instant, Carmella knew what God was calling her to be. She ran out of the house with the biggest smile you've ever seen!
Fr. Solanus watched her as she ran. He blessed her and smiled.
Before long Carmella ran back holding the small blue bottle in her little hands, yelling, "I got it Father!"
Fr. Solanus took the holy water and anointed the sick Italian mother. From that moment, she got better, and lived to raise her five children.
Carmella and Fr. Solanus walked back to the church. "Father, I think I know what I want to be when I grow up."
"Oh, what is that?" asked Fr. Solanus.
"I want to "gofer" stuff… for God. Do you think I can do that?"
He said, "Carmella, do you know the name of the order of sisters that teach at your school?"
"Yes, they are the Sisters of Saint Agnes."
Father chuckled, "Carmella, one day you will be a sister of Saint Agnes and 'gofer' stuff for God."
Sure enough, ten years later, Carmella became Sister Agrippina Petrosino, of the Congregation of Saint Agnes. She became God’s gofer.
Blessed be God, in all His Designs!
Discussion Questions for Children
1. Carmella Petrosino worked for her mom. What did she do?
2. Who did Carmella really want to work for?
3. Carmella didn't think she was good at anything. But what could Carmella do better than her mom?
4. When Carmella's mother was helping another mother deliver her baby, the baby's mother got very sick. What did Carmella do right away?
5. When the doctor came and said the baby's mother was dying, what did Carmella ask her mother if she should go get?
6. When Fr. Solanus came into the dying mother's house what did he ask for?
7. What did Carmella get for Fr. Solanus and where did she get it?
8. How do you think Carmella felt when she brought the holy water to Fr. Solanus?
9. What did Carmella discover she was good at doing?
10. When Fr. Solanus blessed Carmella he told her what she would be when she grew up. Who did Carmella become, and what did she do for God?
Advanced Questions
11. This story gives some insight into how a person is called by God into a vocation. What are some of the traits that Carmella exhibited about God's call on her life?
12. How can we encourage persons of any age to listen to God's call to act in stressful situations?
13. Do you have a bottle of holy water in your home? Should you?
14. What traits of a good Christian did Mrs. McHugh demonstrate in her personal life and in her care of Marianne?