---

What does saving an eagle in Afghanistan have to do with living our faith as disciples of Christ? As it turns out, a great deal.

About three months ago, some U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan rescued an eagle after it was shot by an Afghani soldier. My younger sister, Barbara Chepaitis, had just written a book called "Feathers of Hope" about the Berkshire Bird Paradise in Petersburg.

The soldiers contacted this sanctuary, seeking help to get "Mitch" the eagle to a permanent home there. My sister immediately had a deep admiration for these young servicemen. She felt that what they did could teach us what it means to be fully human, regardless of our circumstances.

Barbara and bird sanctuary director Pete Dubacher had no idea how difficult the task of rescuing Mitch would be. Over the course of three months, Barbara had to deal with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife and the Afghanistan Embassy.

She reached out to Sen. Charles Schumer, the White House, the World Conservation Society and the U.S. Department of State to help fly the eagle to a safe haven. Eagle Mitch finally arrived in Newburgh on Oct. 8, a few days after the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, known for his affinity to animals.

I was intrigued by the story as it unfolded. As a follower of St. Francis, I felt a kinship with "Brother Mitch" -- as the saint would have called him -- as a part of the web of God's creation.

I also understood that caring for him was very healing for the young soldiers who faced the horror of war every day.

Getting Mitch out of Afghanistan and into Berkshire Bird Paradise took quite an effort and the willingness of people to work together. But such effort always pays off, and everyone involved came out of it with the joy that only love, supported by actions, can bring.

My sister's journey with this eagle has taught me that nothing is impossible when compassion and persistence join to do a work of love. She challenged both U.S. and foreign bureaucracies to do the right thing, and because of her insistence, they did.

She got a senator and his staff to work with her to change a rigid rule to allow transport of this bird into the U.S.; and, through her insistence on what was right, won the support of those who could help.

This allowed soldiers and civilians to not only provide a home for an eagle, but also to significantly impact the morale and compassion of many young soldiers.

Mitch arrived at the Berkshire Bird Sanctuary Nov. 8, after being blessed by Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM, president of Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh and former head of Siena College in Loudonville.

Thousands of schoolchildren who visit the sanctuary each year will hear Mitch's story and know that compassion can be rewarded and supported in this often difficult world.

(Father Chepaitis is a Franciscan friar who lives in Middleburgh and coordinates Bethany Ministries, leading parish missions and retreats. Learn more about the Berkshire Bird Paradise at www.birdparadise.org.)

(11/11/10) [[In-content Ad]]

---