by Msgr. Steven Ferrari

Riding the number 7 train back from Manhattan to Woodside a few weeks ago, accompanied by a priest friend from out-of-town, I was seated reading a book, as he was beside me. A middle-aged couple (obviously tourists, probably mid-Westerners) got on our subway car at Grand Central Station. In a rather loud voice, the woman exclaimed to her male companion, “Oh, look, honey, people reading books!”

“Yes,” I said to her, “a real paper old-fashioned book. Better than all these hand-held gadgets.” Indeed, as I looked around, eight out of 10 of my fellow passengers in the subway car were staring at these minute screens, moving their thumbs and doing God-only-knows-what. I don’t own a smart phone, an iPad, iPhone, no apps, laptop or any other new-fangled ‘demonic device.’ Yes, I have, and use sparingly, an old flip-phone which serves me very well, though I don’t text. (I really do enjoy hearing another person’s voice.)

Books, not Kindles or Nooks, have always been an important part of my life’s journey. “I cannot live without books,” wrote Thomas Jefferson to John Adams in 1815. I agree wholeheartedly. I am an avid reader (hardly ever watch TV). I visit the local library at least once a week. Impossible to pass a bookstore without stopping in for a look. Never go anywhere without a good book in my hands. How else to pass the time while waiting in line at the Post Office, DMV, or the half-price TKTS booth in Duffy Square?

In my parish of St. Teresa, Woodside, I began a ‘book sale’ in February 2013, to raise funds for our parish food pantry. All the books on the two carts, and now two additional bookcases, located in the main vestibule of the church, are donated. Children’s books sell at two for $1, while adult books, both hardcover and trade paperbacks, are $1 each, except when we have a special sale (like ‘back-to-school,’ Christmas, summertime beach reading). Books include spirituality and prayer, Bibles, best-selling novels, history, biography, cookbooks, etc. Some are new; others are ‘gently used.’

In less than four years, over $7,800 has been donated to our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry, which feeds more than 70 hungry families each week, all year long. In addition, hundreds of people have enjoyed the experience of reading. It gives me satisfaction to know that we are feeding the body and the spirit through books.

The great American actress of stage and screen of the 20th century, Helen Hayes, once said, “From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot in front of the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings.” Indeed, getting lost in a good book is an adventure into new worlds, into the imagination, into history and the future.

I have always encouraged my nephews and nieces to read, and now I send books as gifts to my great-nephews and great-nieces. “He that loves reading has everything within his reach.” (William Godwin, 1756-1836).   So, read! Visit the library. Support your local bookstore. Read a classic or a current best-seller. Your mind will take wing.