Same rental car company. Two very different experiences. On both occasions, we left something important in the vehicle. In the first case, we noticed our oversight within minutes of returning the vehicle here in Calgary and called the rental car office right away. The agent was too busy to look, so we said we would come right away to check for ourselves. By the time we arrived a few minutes later, the vehicle had already been rented to someone else, and the agent said he could do nothing about it. We ended up having to replace our diocesan parking pass.
In the second instance, (yes, we know we are getting forgetful!), a rental with the same company in British Columbia, the employee told us the vehicle had been rented already, but took the time to track down our National Parks Pass and was kind enough to put it in the mail to us. Which agent raised our hearts and minds to God, lifted our spirits, and renewed our hope?
When we think of the mission of the laity in the world and in our Catholic missions here in Canada, we think of all those who perform their duties in ways that attract people “to the love of the true and the good and finally to the Church and to Christ” (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 9). Simply by behaving with reasonableness, competence, charity and solidarity in human living, laity help the hearts of those about them quietly to be “prepared for the workings of saving grace” (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 9). Good customer service is not just a business goal, but an expression of authentic Christian living, motivated not by the prospect of profits but by deep respect for human beings, created, loved and redeemed by God.
Antal and Christine are a married couple. Antal is director of social justice for the Diocese of Calgary and co-founder, with Christine, of STEP Group, a theological consulting company.
