A Story of Faith, Love and Courage because Ben Was Here.
Southington Heartbeat posted an announcement here on April 17th stating that there would be an extraordinary scholarship fund-raiser held Good Friday night at the Elks Club, sponsored by the Giving Back Girls and the Arc of Southington.
The event was a tribute the entire Southington community would share with with the courageous family of Jeffrey and Cristin Buckley whose seven year old son, Benjamin, passed away on January 23, 2014. Ben left behind his twin brother, Adam, their sister, Madison, a loving extended family and many friends who loved Ben.
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The event was a loving tribute to Ben with a food and fun siupper for the entire entire community with the Buckley family:
Pasta for Ben # BenWasHere # MonkeyHugs.
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Meanwhile in Rome, Italy, an email link to our April 17th story, Pasta for Ben, was received by John Leary, (Chairman of the Southington Board of Finance) and his 15-year old son, Matt, (a sophmore at St. Paul's H.S.), who are visiting Rome and the Vatican for the Holy Week with a young priest friend, Fr. Michael Casey, who is currently studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Fr. Mike is a friend of John and Matt through their deep commitment to Boys Scouts.
John sent us a reply email with photos. He said: "When we read the story, the three of us decided to pray together for Ben." Leary also told us that the three have been touring Rome and that they are taking part in the Tridium Masses and services from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday.
Then, they had a brainstorm ... John took a photo and emailed it to us, describing it as: "Matt is holding up a poster, which reads: Ben Was Here. Matt is standing in front of the Popemobile of John Paul II at the Vatican City Museum". The photo accompanies this story.
We know John and Matt wanted to share this story with you, along with the photos you see here, a gift of faith, hope and courage and the human capacity to love one another.
Yes, # BenWasHere # MonkeyHugs.
