The bell rings for homeroom. Boys slouch at their desks and girls scroll their phones. I stand near door, surveying the room. A kid who works at the farm store gives me a nod.

          I am at school to invite seniors to apply for a rural life grant offered by the local parish. Unlike college, this grant provides funds for job-related expenses such as trade school fees, tools or a new set of truck tires.

          I don’t know all the students’ names, but they feel like family. I recognize the ones from church as well as the faces of those who volunteer at the local food bank. Such is the spirit in small towns where the main diversions are six-man football games and county livestock shows.

          “How’s Adrian doing?” I ask, before delivering my presentation.

          Faces light up.

          “His cancer’s in remission,” says a girl in the front row. The boy at the desk next to her looks at me. “Thanks for the prayer service last week.”

          “You bet.”

          He crosses his arms and gives a thumbs-up.

          Small towns. Strong hope. Big smiles.                                           

***           

           A few days later, I drive to Amarillo to meet with teenagers discerning a religious vocation. The presentation goes well and the discussion that follows it is lively. Later on, during the meal, I ask one of the regular participants—an avid mechanic—about his plans following graduation.  

          “I’m praying about it,” he replies, then frowns. “I feel called to the priesthood but,” he pauses, “we’re losing farmers. They can’t afford to repair their equipment anymore.” He looks me in the eye. “If I owned my own shop, I could give them a break.”

          He picks up his sandwich with grease-stained fingers. “Like I said, I’m praying.”

          I scoop a handful of chips from a bowl. I'm thinking to my, So am I. 

          Breaking bolts loose on a diesel engine or breaking Bread at Mass in a parish church.  In places like this, there’s not a lot of difference.

          Small towns. Deep faith. Big hearts.