By Natalie R. Schrimpf
NORTH OLMSTED-The faith community of St. Clarence Parish in North Olmsted has been embarking on a heartwarming worldwide journey to increase its members’ awareness of global solidarity.
In order to participate in this unique voyage, all it takes is a t-shirt, a destination, and a desire to reach out to a fellow human being.
Since September, many parishioners have been distributing St. Clarence t-shirts to people in distant countries in conjunction with a smile, handshake and kind word. These efforts to reach out to brothers and sisters in Christ beyond domestic borders are being shared with the church community via pictures and summaries of t-shirt recipients in the weekly bulletin--documenting a ‘virtual pilgrimage’ in which all members can participate.
The global t-shirt program was designed as something that could be done by the parishioners, rather than for the parishioners, says Father Neil Kookoothe, pastor and the program’s creator.
“It wasn’t so much that we were only doing things for people in other countries,” he explains, “but that we were learning about ourselves in relation to them and beginning to shape our focus worldwide.”

St. Clarence parishioners Diane Carroll, Deacon Neal Novak, and Jennifer Stinga marvel at what a small world it’s becoming.

And it has been met with an enthusiastic response, gaining participants from nearly every age group, notes parishioner Neal Novak, a deacon candidate and the program’s coordinator. Some individuals have taken shirts on trips abroad, while others have mailed them to contacts around the world, he adds.
To date the parish has received approximately 25 letters and pictures from recipients in 18 foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Honduras, Iraq, Portugal, China and even several American states.
“While our intent was to make people aware of the plight of many brothers and sisters in third world countries, we didn’t want to put restrictions on where the t-shirts went,” Novak explains. “As a result we received many returns from developed countries. This variety of stories helped bring to life the reality of the Universal Church in a singular way.”
For instance, one couple who made a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal wrote about the life of their tour guide, Pedro Selvo.
“He was very touched that the people of St. Clarence would pray for him. Of course, we were privileged to learn something about his life and feel a connection,” Novak says.
And fellow parishioner Airman First Class Brian Burvis wrote to inform church members of life with his comrades at a forward airbase in Iraq.
It was an interesting account depicting the life of one of our many military stationed around the globe, Novak recalls.
“We stand in solidarity with them and pray for the safety of our troops and the well-being of families they left behind to serve our country,” he adds.
Diane Carroll, a parishioner for 15 years, brought t-shirts to Italy while visiting family there. And although she was determined to distribute them, she initially was a bit hesitant.
Unfortunately, her first encounter wasn’t what she anticipated. While visiting St. Peter’s Square in Rome, she approached an elderly priest and began explaining why she wanted to give him a t-shirt. He abruptly cut her short, waved his finger and uttered “privacy,” while continuing on his way.
“At that point I realized this wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought it would be,” Carroll recalls.
Not easily defeated, she then approached a French nun who lived in Rome. “Her Italian wasn’t great, my Italian was mediocre, her English wasn’t great either and my French was very poor,” she laughs. “So between the two of us we managed to hand sign. She was delightful.”
After showing her a picture from St. Clarence illustrating the t-shirt program, the nun gave a welcoming hug and took a photo with her.
But it was the next encounter that would truly touch Carroll’s heart.
On the tour she met an Italian woman, Lina, who lived in Canada and was battling brain cancer. In fact, she was even undergoing chemotherapy while on the tour. Lina had a wonderful outlook on life, and Carroll was instantly compelled to give her a t-shirt. She graciously accepted and they have kept in touch ever since, Carroll adds. “She’s just an upbeat person who is spreading God’s love everywhere she goes, because everyone loves her.”
Jennifer Stinga, a parishioner for nearly nine years, hasn’t directly participated in the program, but has witnessed its results.
The stories and photos published in the bulletin have brought unique messages of hope, faith and courage that have inspired her and made her feel bonded to those who have shared their stories, she says.
“I think the program truly underscores the message that people everywhere have a strong God-given desire for relationship and community, and wish to know and be known,” Stinga explains. “It has helped open the doors of our parish to the larger world and create personal links to the whole human family.”
Carroll hopes other parishes will organize similar programs to reach out to humanity across the globe. “Once you see the differences among people around the world, you find yourself in those differences,” she notes.
Schrimpf is a freelance writer.