Single Mother Success Stories
You could say that my story begins as I stood at the rain drenched foot of my father’s grave. A heavy chill could be felt throughout my whole body. I was twelve years old and about to enter manhood faster than expected. My father's passing laid some very heavy family responsibilities on my shoulders.
Like most farms in Michigan, our farm always had chores to be done. Getting up at 4:30am was the rule rather than the exception. It was a difficult period of much work and little play. However, the discipline helped me to develop good work habits for the business world later on in my life. It was during these early years, in my life, that I decided to do whatever was necessary to become financially successful when I grew up.
After high school, I spent a short time in the seminary with visions of becoming a priest, but the Lord had other ideas for me. Soon after, I moved west to California, determined to make my fortune. After graduating from San Diego State and putting in two years with the US Government, I was ready for action and eager to make my mark on the world.
Committed to success, I worked two jobs to build my savings. My efforts paid off and it wasn't long before I started buying prime pieces of land. I was obsessed with location, location, location. Every real estate agent will tell you the importance of location in real estate purchasing and development. I made very wise decisions.
During the ‘70’s & ‘80’s, land began to double and triple in value, every few years. My investments began to become sizable assets. I began building homes and various commercial buildings. Each project increasing in size and cost.
The thought of being "the best," kept me working nonstop, with little rest. However, all of this success came with a very hefty price tag - a broken marriage and very little peace of mind. Gradually, I began to realize that something major was missing in my life. After all, what good was being the best if it brought out the worst in you?
It was at this point in my life that I began to hear more and more about a very special woman. Much greater than myself, this woman had also built many projects, but not for money. Rather she built lives and projects for love of mankind. Her name was Mother, Mother Teresa. I read that she had opened a small orphanage on a large piece of land that no one had wanted. It was there that her staff of nuns cared for orphans, helped the needy and administered to the sick.
After learning of their location in Tijuana, Mexico, I occasionally started bringing supplies to the nuns at the orphanage. Shoes, food, clothing, blankets and heaters were all items that their little residents needed. The orphanage staff and I became good friends as a result of these trips.
About a year into making the trips the orphanage, I received a call from one of the nuns. She told me that Mother Teresa would be visiting the orphanage the next month, and that Mother would like to meet me! Meet me? Wow, what an honor. I wondered if they were talking to the right guy? In any event, I arrived, the following month, at the appointed time.
I was led into an empty room and after a short period of time, the doors opened and surrounded by a group of nuns, was non other than the short, powerful, saintly, beautiful Mother Teresa. "Chuck, it is our honor to introduce you to Mother Teresa of Calcutta." "Mother, this is Mr. Chuck Gallucci." I was stunned and in awe of such a great lady, a Nobel Prize Winner for her work with the poor and needy.
In the shadow of her overwhelming presence and her enormous love and humility, I took her hand in mine. I had recalled seeing videos and photos of people meeting her and kissing her hand. But I said to her, "Mother, I hope you'll understand, I'm Italian and have to give you a hug!" and did so! The other nuns began to giggle some, but I could feel and see immediately that Mother and I became fast friends.
After a few moments of small talk about the orphanage, the missions, her health, my family and other incidental subjects, Mother took my hand and asked me a simple and yet profound question. One that would change my life and my way of thinking. "Mr. Chuck, will you build a church for the poor people in this community?"
It was then that my whole life seemed to pass before me. All the investments, all the money and the many blessings I had been given along the way, were now, at once, being called into account. I recalled the rich man in the bible asking Christ what he must do to gain eternal heaven? "Go and sell all you have and give it to the poor!" But, the rich man went away sad, because he had much wealth and would not part with it. And then Christ saying, "It easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the gates of heaven." My reply to Mothers request was brief and to the point. "Mother, I would be honored to build this Church for the poor as you request!" How could I have answered otherwise? For I felt somehow that it was Christ asking the same question again through Mother Teresa. "To go and sell all that I have and give to the poor."
Thus began a two year quest to build the Church and to build it out of love and not for money. For Mother Teresa’s whole life was all about love. She set the example everyday and reminded us that the two main reasons for living is to love and be loved. Is there a risk involved in doing this? Of course: But, life without risk is no life at all!
Mother continually taught us that who we become in life depends upon who we help along the way. That we must always strive to live by virtue and not by appetite. That in our effort to find and do God’s Will, we should never let defeat have the last word. It’s an interested thing about love. It can mean so many different things to so many different people, but one thing about love seems certain. When you have love in your life, real genuine love, it really doesn’t matter what else you haven't got. On the other hand, when you don't have love, it really doesn't matter else you've got! And so, we built the Church, Which I understand is the largest and perhaps one of the most beautiful in its simplicity, in all the Baja Peninsula.
Mother Teresa named it "THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY". It was a tremendous challenge and took all that I had to build. Today, as I again start over financially, I have never felt richer in my life.
My spirit seems to have a power, peace and a joy that I know comes from the Father above. There may not have been "room at the inn" when the Christ Child was born, but now, thanks to the honor the Father has bestowed in me through Mother Teresa, there is a Church He can call home. Thank you wonderful Teresa, for coming into my life. Your love for mankind will never be forgotten.