On Sunday during 10am Mass, Fr. Larry (our Parish Priest) announced after Mass that our Sacristan Nelson had laid out all the Mass things and then suddenly taken very ill.
He was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital.
Just before Holy Communion, another priest, Fr. Byron, came in and told Fr. Larry something… That Nelson had died of a heart attack.
Today, I came home a little early & played for his funeral Mass. It was con-celebrated by all the priests of the parish (except one, who’s at Tabor on a retreat) and by several other priests who were in the parish over the last few years.
Nelson was a young man, his hair was black, his children younger than I. The packed church was proof enough about how well he was loved and how much he impacted the people of our parish.
The year started with dear Colin (who never let me call him uncle) passing away very suddenly, shocking us all. There have been deaths since. And there will be more deaths to come. I pray that these sudden deaths, the ones that touch us at our very core remind us of one thing - that ultimately the only thing that matters is our relationship with God…
Fr. Larry thanked God for Nelson, for giving him to our parish, for who he was and for what he did with his life. May he enjoy in death that which he prepared for daily in life, eternal supper with the lamb.
Eternal rest give unto him oh Lord. And may his soul rest in peace.
May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of Christ Jesus rest in peace. Amen.
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July 1st, 2005 at 8:29 am
Its sad…but its the fact. We all have to leave someday. We’re just visitors on this lonely planet ..
July 1st, 2005 at 5:52 pm
Meaning, it’s sad for the ones left behind on earth - but if we’re blessed enough to receive eternal life in heaven & all we have to do to get that - is honestly believe in your heart & confess with your lips that Jesus Christ is Lord & Saviour then we will experience that which no eye has seen nor ear has heard - the wondrous things He has in store for His loved ones!
Eternal life is really cracked up to be one endless banquet with the Lord!
July 2nd, 2005 at 12:01 am
i wish i were as religious as you are ..but sadly ..i’m not . Although i used to be a very religious person once upon a time … but i guess growing up has distanced me from religion. I go for mass , say the rosary ..but i’m really missing that connection i had. It’s about time i did something about it.
July 2nd, 2005 at 4:15 pm
You’ve got the right attitude