Hey guys! I suppose that it kinda began this way. One day, one guy simply spoke to another guy. The first guy had an idea and thought that the second guy might be interested. The guys’ conversation probably went something like this: Hey guy! Would you be interested in starting a business? Hey, that’s a great idea, guy! Count me in! How about we, guys, open a variety store? It’d sort of be like a supersize “five and ten.” Of course, the gals would be invited too. Cool guy! What will we call the store, guy? Thus, began Two Guys variety store. If you’re old enough, you might remember Two Guys. The store existed in the days well before Target and Walmart. Amazon and online shopping wasn’t even a thought in anyone’s head. Two Guys was actually founded in the NYC metro area in 1946 and years later would expand reaching over into PA. I can remember making pilgrimage there as a youngster. My mother certainly liked to shop, but she didn’t drive. That task fell to my father. Dutiful and loving husband that he was, our shopping excursions often happened on Saturdays. The closest Two Guys to us was in the Horsham-Warminster-Willow Grove area. If I recall, it was located about the area where 611 crosses the Turnpike. Our northern journey on 611 seemed like it was a hundred miles from home for a little guy. After we arrived, whoever had “serious” shopping to do, left me in the charge of the other. While my mother shopped for house wares, I was with my father. When he was in need of a new shirt, I was with my mother. For some reason, I always seemed to get lost and distracted in the toy section of the store. Of course, the sporting goods section also held my attention. That’s where I usually spent time with my father when he had charge of me. The return trip home was always great because I always had something new (toy, shirt, jacket, ball, or perhaps some candy) and we’d stop for lunch on the drive home. Those were great times; simpler times. It was wonderful family time for a little guy at Two Guys. Of course, times change and Two Guys has gone the way of so many other stores that once were, but no longer are. I suppose that in some ways the Church is like a variety store. There is oh so much available if one considers languages, customs, cultures, Traditions, and Her various Rites. It is well worth the “drive” to get there! We can “shop” with a limitless credit card on which the “bill” has already been paid. In a certain sense, I wonder if our Church founded by Christ, could be said to have been started by two guys. Just as the two guys of Two Guys, didn’t found “variety stores,” so the two guys in our Church didn’t found “Church.” In both situations though, two guys did expand and expound on that which had already been founded. But unlike Herbert and Sidney Hubschman of Two Guys, whose store went out of business, Ss. Peter and Paul have a “store” whose doors are guaranteed to never shutter. The weekend is here. It’s time for a little family time and time for a little excursion. The Church founded by Christ and started by two guys is open for business. See you there! And hey guy, look for me in the toy aisle!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson