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Bee Someone’s Wings
I’m not sure if any of the parishioners in the Collaborative have the app TikTok, but if you haven’t downloaded it yet, please consider doing so. TikTok can be a great platform for learning, accessing archival videos, and, in many cases, it gives us a view of the kindness of humanity that otherwise might not be seen. Of course, like all social media platforms, it has its issues and limitations. We at the Collaborative even have a TikToker who attends Mass and posts amazing Catholic-based content. St. Mary’s Parish has even been featured and received thousands of views.
One morning, while doing my daily doom scrolling on TikTok, I came across a video about a young woman, Emily, who befriended a bumblebee she found on her walk to the grocery store, whom she named Beatrix. Beatrix was exceptionally large and seemed to be a queen bee that had been pushed out of her hive due to her age and being near the end of her lifespan. Sadly, she was missing fur, and her wings were gone. When Emily reached out and took Beatrix by the hand, well, by the leg, bees don’t have hands, but you get the reference, she crawled right up onto her hand, and their friendship began.
Emily went on to feed Beatrix sugar water and created a small habitat within a terrarium. She filled it with flowers, rocks, sand, and bark for her to climb. As time passed, the two beecame inseparable, and each day they developed trust in one another, watching movies together and even tucking Beatrix in at night. As the days passed and their friendship grew, it came time for Beatrix to enter the great big hive in the sky.
Now, one would think that I had more to do with my day than to be sobbing at the counter at Temple Street Diner over my morning coffee. However, this story truly touched my heart, and I began to reflect on this Lenten season and the current state of humanity. Although our differences may be great, we need one another. We were designed in God’s own likeness and image, with love to share for “all creatures of our God and King.” With Emily’s love and support, Beatrix was able to live out the rest of her days in the fullness of life she had once experienced.
Each Lent, as I have written in the past, I beelieve is a time to add something positive to our lives and try to continue it after the season has concluded. But let us take this a step further. What if we looked at helping others bee the best version of themselves? We truly need each other, and although vastly different, we can bee there for others in a way that helps them fly.
In conclusion, I would like to leave you with a final thought to ponder. What if we tried to bee someone’s wings and help them fly high enough to touch the proverbial stars? Let us bee here for one another this Lenten season as we pray for Fr. John and come together as a parish community for Holy Week. We need one another to share the love Christ has for us with the many who need our love and support to grow.
John Anthony Volpe
CATHOLIC APPEAL
For our Parishes, the 2026 Catholic Appeal will launch in two weeks on March 22! Packets are available in the benches this weekend if you would like to make an early gift. Please enter into solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need and spread hope by making a gift today. Thank you to those who have already responded generously to Archbishop Henning’s invitation to contribute. Through early support, St. Mary—St.
Catherine is at 26%, and St. Francis is at 15%.
Thank you for your support!