As many mourn the death of Steve Jobs, we reflect on his birth

The timing was impeccable: Deacon Greg Kandra's "Respect Life Sunday" homily, delivered this past weekend, which was about the birth of Steve Jobs. I linked to it the other day, here it is again.

Since this is Respect Life Sunday, and the beginning of Respect Life month, I wanted to talk about one woman who did respect life – and her choice has made a difference in the life of virtually every person in this church.


Her name is Joanne Schiebel. In 1954, she was a young unmarried college student who discovered that she was pregnant. In the 1950s, her options were limited. She could have had an abortion – but the procedure was both dangerous and illegal. She could have gotten married, but she wasn’t ready and didn’t want to interrupt her education. Joanne opted, instead, to give birth to the baby and put it up for adoption.


And so it was that in 1955, a California couple named Paul and Clara Jobs adopted a baby boy, born out of wedlock, that they named Steven.


We know him today…as Steve Jobs.

It would not be overstating things to say that Steve Jobs is my generation’s Thomas Edison. As one observer put it, he knew what the world wanted before the world knew that it wanted it.


If you have an iPhone or an iPad or an iPod, or anything remotely resembling them, you can thank Steve Jobs.


If your world has been transformed by the ability to hear a symphony, send a letter, pay a bill, deposit a check, read a book and then buy theater tickets on something roughly the size of a credit card…you can thank Steve Jobs.


And: you can thank Joanne Schiebel.

Go read the rest at the Deacon's Bench

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Senseless Shootings in Arizona and Saddening Political Spin



Photo: AP/Matt York

Christina Taylor Green, 9

The six people who lost their lives yesterday in a senseless shooting spree by an "unstable" 22 year old, have been identified.  Among them, District Judge John M. Roll (63) - a Catholic who went to daily Mass, a 30 year old staffer - Gabe Zimmerman who was engaged to be married, and a nine year old girl, Christina Taylor Green (right), who was just elected to her student council and recently made her First Holy Communion.  The girl, interested in politics, went there at the invitation of a neighbor who was shot four times and survived. Fox News has released an interview with the young girl's mother, and an interview with her father.  After saying that he did not want to see further restrictions put on people because of this tragedy, he goes on to tell us what he wants us to take away from it.  I suspect that we will be seeing this family working to keep their daughter's legacy alive. 

Let us pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, for their families, and for the recovery of those who have suffered such traumatic injuries. 

This may be difficult for some to understand when I say that as Christians we are also called to pray for this young man.  May he be moved to repent of his actions.  While little is known about his home life, family members of the shooter suffer a different kind of loss today.  It is a very difficult thing to have a loved one responsible for such senseless destruction of life.  Of course people will want to look for blame in his upbringing, but at the end of the day, we all have a free will and make choices.  Not all children of alcoholics become alcoholics and not all children of battering fathers become abusive.  People rise above those things all the time because they choose not to be victims.  I know people who have suffered horribly as children in previous generations and they didn't go out and commit murder.  At some point, we have to stop shifting the blame for people who make bad choices.  This young man may have some mitigating circumstances if he has true mental health problems that have gone unaddressed, but even the mentally ill are aware of the choices they make.

Congresswoman "Gabby" Giffords, amazingly, is alive after a bullet went clean through her head at point blank range.  Authorities say that she is "responding to commands" and that only one side of her brain has been damaged.  This means that, as brain injuries go, she appears to be on the high end of the scale (being able to respond to commands is much better than simply responding to a pin-prick).  The first 30 hours are the most critical.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Her husband, Mark Kelly is a space shuttle commander who is slated to go up this spring.  Whether he will proceed on that mission is unknown at this time.  I would imagine his first concern is his wife.

The shooter, Jared Loughner, had tried to enter the military and was rejected.  The Privacy Act prevents them from releasing the reason for the rejection. He was kicked out of college and told he could come back after he had a mental examination that proved he was not a danger to himself or others.   He has been arrested in the past and extracts from his YouTube videos show a young man that is not "together".  He described himself as a terrorist.  It's unforunate that somewhere along the line, the man was not placed under evaluation.  But, as we have seen repeatedly with people that have mental health issues, it takes murder to get them put away.  More than likely, Arizona will put him to death.

Sadly, some people are focusing on where to fix blame in a way that aligns with their political view of things, Elizabeth Scalia blogs on this at First Things.  Yesterday, I caught her comment on Twitter @TheAnchoress) which summed up my thoughts as I saw this political blame game. 

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar; and sometimes an incoherent nutcase is just an incoherent nutcase.

Exactly!  As news reports spill out about Loughner, there is evidence that this guy had no affection for the Republicans, the Tea Party, the Democrats or US government in general.  It appears he had anti-semitic views as well (Giffords was Jewish).  If the young man has aligned himself with anything, it is an anti-government group of some kind. 

We would all do well to wait for further developments and to pray, more than anything.

Edit:  Here is an interesting read from Steven Ertelt at LifeNews:

• After Giffords Shooting, Blame Game Begins on Abortion (LifeNews)
• Assigning Blame (Father Z)
• Boehner Postpones Abortion, Health Care Votes After Giffords Shooting (LifeNews)
• "News" or Insinuation? Nuts and the MSM's Fixation (Dad29)
• The Newest Disgrace (Ricochet)

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Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar; and sometimes an incoherent nutcase is just an incoherent nutcase.

Archdiocese of Detroit: Requiescat in pace, Rev Richard Lewnau, 35

Early this afternoon, I received a press release from the Archdiocese of Detroit about a 35 year old priest, Rev. Richard Lewnau was killed in a tragic accident yesterday.  He was pastor of  Sacred Heart Parish in Yale and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Emmett, administrator of Sacred Heart Mission in Brown City. 

Go to the Archdiocese of Detroit for a page on Fr. Lewnau's death, and for Archbishop Vigneron's statement.

Local news station WXYZ-TV has more info, as well.  There is also something in the Port Huron Times Herald.

EDIT 10-24-2010: The Michigan Catholic Online has a full write up.  A parishioner of Grotto parishioner who was at Father's last Mass said he spoke about the need to be prepared for death.  The Michigan Catholic article discusses this briefly. 

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Lewnau, for his family, parishioners, and anyone else who may have been injured in this accident.  This part is not yet clear to me. 



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Fr. Thomas Dubay: Requiescat in Pace

Photo Source

A spiritual giant has passed away.  Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM known to many of us for his great spiritual works, and presence on EWTN.

From the Little Sisters of the Poor who cared for him

Rev Thomas Dubay, SM
RIP September 26, 2010




From Washington, DC:


This morning at 4:45, the Lord welcomed into His Kingdom Rev Thomas Dubay, SM, after suffering kidney failure and massive bleeding in the brain. Father’s frail health had been declining ever since his admission to the Little Sisters of the Poor home in Washington more than a year ago, but his suffering was even more noticeable in recent months. Despite this fact, Fr Dubay was just as witty as ever.


When Father’s superior, Fr. Bruce Lery, SM, called the Little Sisters on Sunday morning to tell them, he said, "We have a saint in heaven" –how true! Fr. Dubay was hospitalized about a month ago and then transferred to a rehabilitation facility for specialized treatments but his health was steadily declining. Yesterday he was re-admitted to the hospital with bleeding in the brain, and he was put in coronary intensive care. Although the ventilator was removed, he continued to breathe on his own.


Although he suffered from his loss of independence, he was happy to concelebrate Mass almost every day in the chapel of the Little Sisters Home in the shadow of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in our nation’s capital.


The Marist priests and brothers visited him almost daily, and Father depended very much on his superior, Fr. Bruce, who was always there for him. In a few words, Fr. Dubay literally practiced what he preached! Father was happy to give weekly classes to the Little Sister postulants –classes which he enjoyed as much as they! From his room, Father continued his spiritual direction with many persons who called on him and this also was extended to letter writing.


We can render prayers of thanksgiving for the wonderful support Father gave to religious communities spending a good part of his life giving conferences and retreats. Although his preaching and spiritual direction was delivered to contemplative communities, his teaching was not for them alone. Religious the world over benefitted of his spiritual wisdom and guidance for years. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace after leading so many souls to true spiritual peace during his lifetime! The opening prayer of today’s liturgy says it all: “Help us hurry toward the Eternal Life you promise and come to share in the joys of your kingdom”. [Source]

These are just some of Fr. Dubay's books...

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R.I.P. - Dr. Ralph McInerny (1929-2010)

I just learned this evening that philospher, professor, and author, Dr. Ralph McInerny passed away this morning.  Please pray for the repose of his soul.

He was a 54 year faculty member of the University of Notre Dame (how on earth did he survive and thanks be to God that he persevered and was there as a beacon of truth!)

Dr. McInerny was also a prolific writer.  In addition to his many books on philosophy, he wrote fiction.   He was the author of the Fr. Dowling Mysteries. 

Back in March of last year, he penned a very powerful article on the Notre Dame Scandal that ran in The Catholic Thing: Is Obama worth the Mass?

More links:

• McInerny by Rev. James V. Schall
• 
  
  Catholic News Agency has a great overview of him and his works in it's obituary
• 
  
  Go to Dr. Ralph McInerny's Author's Page on Amazon.com
• 
  
  Thomas S. Hibbs writes about his life passing at the First Thing's blog

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Requiescat in pace: Fr. Robert J. Fox

Fr. Robert J. Fox, known well to many followers of Fatima, died on Thanksgiving Day.  Here is the obituary.

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RIP: Robert Schindler - Father of Terry Schiavo dies

Sad news broke today that Robert Schindler, the father of Terry Schiavo, whose case for life became the focus of national attention some years ago died of heart failure at 72 years of age. Robert Schindler was a champion for life, especially for the disabled.

See more at LifeNews: Terri Schiavo's Father Robert Schindler Dies, Pro-Life Group Mourns His Death

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Requiescat in pace - Father Claerr

I received this in my inbox. I did not know Fr. Claerr, but would imagine that, given his closeness to Fr. Val Rykowski who recently passed away, some of my readers know him. Fr. Claerr (right), is seen in the photo above with Fr. Val (left). Please feel free to offer thoughts and prayers in the combox. I'll moderate when I can.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR FATHER CLAERR

Viewing – Saturday, 5:00—8:00
Sunday, 1:00—8:00, rosary at 7:00

Turowski & Son Funeral Home
25509 W. Warren
Dearborn Heights 48127

Tel.: 313.562.5120
This funeral home is between Telegraph Road and Beech-Daly Road.


Funeral on Monday – 9:30 body in state at Our Lady of Grace

10:00 Mass
burial in St. Hedwig Cemetery

Our Lady of Grace Church
8679 Riverview
Dearborn Heights 48127

Tel.: 313.561.6373
This church is on Joy Road 2 short blocks east of Telegraph Road.



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New pictures of Germaine at work!

One of the priests who was at Assumption Grotto for a couple of years, and who lived in the rectory for a time, has sent out a slideshow video of pics with Germaine at work in the rectory. Fr. Eusebius is in the Philippines and was not within reach of the photos to send them until now.

As you may already know, Germaine passed away soon after being hit by a car in front of Assumption Grotto after leaving her housekeeping job at the parish rectory on June 22nd. Thanks be to God that the priests were with her in the short time after, before she died. I always knew Germaine was agile, but until I saw the photos of her up on a step ladder, I had no idea she was that agile.

These pictures are truly a blessing to have. Father made the slideshow video in thanksgiving for Germaine.

Related: Photostory: Funeral of Germaine (First "Tridentine" Funeral in over 40 Years at Assumption Grotto) .....contains Fr. John's homily and Fr. Perrone's column about Germaine.

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Photopost: Funeral of Germaine (First "Tridentine" Funeral in over 40 Years at Assumption Grotto)

Our beloved Germaine - Grotto's 82 year-old housekeeper, launderer, and occasional cook, was laid to rest yesterday after being struck down by a vehicle in front of Assumption Grotto on Monday night as she left the parish. The priests learned that after she had received the Anointing and Apostolic Pardon by Fr. Perrone in the street, that she still had a heart-beat, even at the emergency room where Fr. John and Phyllis remained with her, and her family, for some hours. Hence, it is a small comfort to know she was still alive at the time the last sacrament was given to her. It was very providential that the priests all headed out the side door right after she was hit and were able to be with her.

Both Fr. Perrone, and Germaine's sister, Rita, gave me permission to shoot and to post the photos. You can get these through the main page at the Grotto website, as well, but I wanted to make a more permanent record here. What folllows below is a slideshow of the Mass. Fr. Perrone was the celebrant in this Solemn High Mass (1962 Missal). Fr. Charles White IV was the deacon, and Fr. John Bustamante was the subdeacon and homilist. Father's homily is below. Also, in this post, is the beautiful column by Fr. Perrone which appears in this Sunday's bulletin.

Please keep Germaine, and those closest to her in your prayers - the family, her friends, and especially the staff and priests who tended to her at the time of the accident. Please pray also for the man who struck her, and his family. Consequences always affect many people. He was arrested on a number of charges. Bad decisions made while driving, and wrong choices in life yield the most painful lesson when the end result is the loss of human life. Germaine herself would want us to pray for him, and I have hope that she is already interceding for him.

Homily delivered by Fr. John Bustamante at Germaine Wisniewski's funeral

In today’s Office of Readings, the Church selects a passage from St. Gregory of Nyssa. He says, “In our human life bodily health is a good thing, but this blessing consists not merely in knowing the causes of good health but in actually enjoying it. If a man eulogizes good health and then eats food that has unhealthy effects, what good is his praise of health when he finds himself on a sickbed? Similarly, from the Lord’s saying: Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God, we are to learn that blessedness does not lie in knowing something about God, but rather in possessing God within oneself.”

St. Gregory then quotes our Lord when He says, “The kingdom of God is within you.” St. Gregory is saying that by purifying one’s heart, the divine beauty shines forth in each of us. The Lord says elsewhere, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Each of us is called to reflect the light of Christ. There is one who perfectly does this in a way that exceeds the image of reflection—it is our Our Blessed Mother. She herself says in the Magnificant, “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” In heaven, we no longer only reflect the divine beauty, but, being perfected, share in the perfection of God.

Being with others forms bonds of attachment. For me, even four and a half short years of seeing someone daily afforded ample opportunity to see in a deeper way how precious each person is before God. You can’t get to know someone unless you are around that person. How much more so with God? How much more must God know and love each of us? And, for our part, what other way is there to know God and respond to his love than to constantly be in His presence? Through prayer? Through adoration? And certainly through the Most Holy Eucharist?

Our work itself is meant to be a prayer. It is but one way we carry out the command of St. Paul : “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thes 5:16-18). Our vocations are the way to heaven. Our daily responsibilities and tasks are these little things that are to be done with great love. Whether it be running a parish, or keeping a rectory in order—these little things are precious and meaningful before God.

I always find encouragement and receive a glimpse of God’s Providence when certain events happen to fall on a certain day of the year. We offered today the Extraordinary (or Tridentine) Form of the Solemn Requiem Mass. And according to that calendar, in some dioceses, today is feast of Our Lady of Succor. The more familiar form of this title is Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Every Tuesday we honor Our Lady with the Perpetual Help Devotions. There are many different forms of the prayers of this devotion—the prayers I learned as a child are the ones from the Byzantine devotion—they are beautiful and sublime.

In the prayer in temporal wants, we would pray, “Trials and sorrows often depress us; reverses of fortune and privations, often grievous, bring misery into our lives; everywhere we meet the cross.” How these words gather the sense of the faithful in many ages of the Church during times of war and suffering, sickness and death. Yet later we pray, “Grant that we may endure all with love and patience…I place in thee all my hopes and I confide my salvation to thy care, O Mother of Perpetual Help.”

A singular but great consolation to us is to know that a soul has received both absolution for their sins and the Apostolic Pardon at the time of death. The Apostolic Pardon grants a plenary indulgence to a soul—removing all temporal punishment due to sin and opening the gates of heaven to the soul. It is a great grace dispensed from the treasury of the Church and one we would all be privileged to receive when it is our time to depart from this life. We all were granted the consolation of knowing that Germaine received these prayers before she departed from this life.

How many generations of people did not know what became of their loved ones after death? How many people today now have lost their way and not even heard the words of our Savior: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

May each of us today renew our love of God and—in a spirit of love of neighbor—live the Gospel message of faith, hope and love. May we encourage each other, call those who have wandered back to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. And through the intercession of St. Gregory, St. Cyril and Our Lady of Consolation, may each of us be daily be prepared and worthy to stand before Our Lord and merciful Savior. Amen.

And, here is Fr. Perrone's column for this week. He not only talks about all that she did for the parish, but recounts the fateful turn of events:

“Germai.......ne!! Germai.......ne!! “Yea. I’ll be right there.”

It might almost have passed for the opening of a comedy routine: I yelling her name down the clothes chute (our old rectory still has one) and she answering from her laundry room ‘office’ in the basement. How many times a day I would call on her for something, I can’t say. She was needed for just about every task I can think of.

This past Monday evening our faithful, indispensably helpful housekeeper, Germaine Wisniewski, was struck down with a violent and fatal blow on Gratiot Avenue from a speeding car manned by an unlicensed driver while she attempted to cross the street. I, with Frs. Bustamante and White, had just gone out the rectory side door when we saw traffic backed up on Gratiot and heard someone say that somebody had been struck down in an accident. Only a second later a voice blurted out, “I think it’s Germaine!” I bolted towards the scene of the accident, in front of the convent, to find there...I can hardly even write about it now without tears...our Germaine, motionless, lying on the blacktop beside a small pool of blood. Fr. John ran to the sacristy to get the holy oils for the sick. I knelt down beside her calling her name, pronouncing the words of absolution. I could scarcely believe the witness of my eyes. She had left the rectory only minutes before, having done the usual Monday laundry. Now she was here, flung on the street like some stray animal hit by a passing car. When the oils were handed to me I said the form for the anointing and imparted the Church’s final gift to the dying–the plenary indulgence that remits all punishments due to sin. Meanwhile, police had traffic halted and held the handcuffed driver in custody. An EMS vehicle finally arrived and took her body away. I was to learn later that, despite appearances, she had still been alive until a short time after she arrived at the hospital. Fr. John and Phyllis Bausano went to the hospital where they met Germaine’s sister and nephew. I stayed behind, walking about dazed for a while, and then entered the church to pray in silence. I couldn’t get into my emotional system what my mind told me had happened. Our Germaine was dead.

I can’t adequately put into words, especially in this small space, all that Germaine meant to us and all that she did for us. I’m going to give it a feeble try anyway. Here’s a short list: she did the laundry and the ironing; she washed cassocks, albs, purificators and hand towels for Mass; she laundered servers’ vestments and gloves; did housecleaning of the three-storied rectory (basement and attic included), scouring toilets and showers, and scrubbing floors on her hands and knees; she set the table, washed and put away the dishes, washed rectory windows and curtains; watered, weeded and fed the garden, and planted flowers; mended vestments and our clothes; cooked on occasion; purchased things for the rectory; and...how many other things I can’t think of? She was only 82 years old.

Germaine, you see, had been hired on to work only from 9:00 until 2:00. The truth was that she hardly ever left the rectory until closer to 8:00 p.m., as on the day she died. I suppose this was more her home than the one she slept in. This was not just her work; it was her life. And in doing it she always aimed to please. She was never one to pity herself. She never wanted to be babied and never let on if she was feeling sick. She worked here everyday except Sunday.

Some of you may remember seeing her in a cameo appearance a couple years back as Mother Teresa in a skit put on for the parish’s 175th Jubilee. She was amazingly convincing in that role. Germaine had a wonderful sense of humor and would instantly spring into song at the least hint of a pop tune. She knew them all (the old ‘standards’ of popular music). I imagine that in her time she once could dance up a frenzied polka, though by the time she had come to us her dancing years were long past.

Needless to add, Germaine was a regular at Mass, often coming to the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass, after which she sprang right to work, emptying baskets and filling humidifiers in the wintertime before settling down to her by then cold piece of toast and tepid cup of coffee. Her holy cards next to the iron in the basement told the story of the many little prayers she must have said quietly everyday.

With all that she did, it would take a good four persons to replace her, not that this is the reason we are mourning her death. She was simply part of the rectory family, someone whom I imagined would always be there. Not only was she helpful, but she had a cheerful, dynamic personality. I especially liked those stock phrases and slogans that she frequently used, to which I would often make responses of similar kind of my own. If I would express some preference for her to do something or other, she might snap back, “You drive a hard bargain.” Or, if someone of the rectory staff happened to come in the door, she would pipe up with, “Look who the wind blew in.” She had many other such one-liners that only she could get away with because we all knew she meant no harm. She was without doubt a tough willed person. How else could she have driven her aging body to such superhuman lengths of endurance? She was simply one of a kind.

We will all miss Germaine. I doubt we’ll ever find another like her. But it’s not just her utility that we will miss. We will miss her. Our rectory life will not be the same without her.

I hope that she will soon be enjoying a much deserved rest from all her labors, rest in that place we all hope one day to enjoy. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I can’t thing of anyone for whom those words seem more appropriate than for Germaine Wisniewski.

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Germaine Wisniewski's Funeral and Fr Perrone's Weekly Column

Fr. Perrone announced at the funeral home today following the Holy Rosary that our beloved Germaine, will have a Solemn High Mass at 10:00am tomorrow - a Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form. She will be buried right there in the Assumption Grotto cemetery and then there will be a luncheon in the school gym.

Germaine was struck by a car and killed in front of the parish moments after leaving the rectory where she continued two work. She was 82 years old.

Fr. Perrone speaks about Germaine in his weekly column, and what she meant to the parish, and rectory staff:

“Germai.......ne!! Germai.......ne!! “Yea. I’ll be right there.”

It might almost have passed for the opening of a comedy routine: I yelling her name down the clothes chute (our old rectory still has one) and she answering from her laundry room ‘office’ in the basement. How many times a day I would call on her for something, I can’t say. She was needed for just about every task I can think of.

This past Monday evening our faithful, indispensably helpful housekeeper, Germaine Wisniewski, was struck down with a violent and fatal blow on Gratiot Avenue from a speeding car manned by an unlicensed driver while she attempted to cross the street. I, with Frs. Bustamante and White, had just gone out the rectory side door when we saw traffic backed up on Gratiot and heard someone say that somebody had been struck down in an accident. Only a second later a voice blurted out, “I think it’s Germaine!” I bolted towards the scene of the accident, in front of the convent, to find there...I can hardly even write about it now without tears...our Germaine, motionless, lying on the blacktop beside a small pool of blood. Fr. John ran to the sacristy to get the holy oils for the sick. I knelt down beside her calling her name, pronouncing the words of absolution. I could scarcely believe the witness of my eyes. She had left the rectory only minutes before, having done the usual Monday laundry. Now she was here, flung on the street like some stray animal hit by a passing car. When the oils were handed to me I said the form for the anointing and imparted the Church’s final gift to the dying–the plenary indulgence that remits all punishments due to sin. Meanwhile, police had traffic halted and held the handcuffed driver in custody. An EMS vehicle finally arrived and took her body away. I was to learn later that, despite appearances, she had still been alive until a short time after she arrived at the hospital. Fr. John and Phyllis Bausano went to the hospital where they met Germaine’s sister and nephew. I stayed behind, walking about dazed for a while, and then entered the church to pray in silence. I couldn’t get into my emotional system what my mind told me had happened. Our Germaine was dead.

I can’t adequately put into words, especially in this small space, all that Germaine meant to us and all that she did for us. I’m going to give it a feeble try anyway. Here’s a short list: she did the laundry and the ironing; she washed cassocks, albs, purificators and hand towels for Mass; she laundered servers’ vestments and gloves; did housecleaning of the three-storied rectory (basement and attic included), scouring toilets and showers, and scrubbing floors on her hands and knees; she set the table, washed and put away the dishes, washed rectory windows and curtains; watered, weeded and fed the garden, and planted flowers; mended vestments and our clothes; cooked on occasion; purchased things for the rectory; and...how many other things I can’t think of? She was only 82 years old.

Germaine, you see, had been hired on to work only from 9:00 until 2:00. The truth was that she hardly ever left the rectory until closer to 8:00 p.m., as on the day she died. I suppose this was more her home than the one she slept in. This was not just her work; it was her life. And in doing it she always aimed to please. She was never one to pity herself. She never wanted to be babied and never let on if she was feeling sick. She worked here everyday except Sunday.

Some of you may remember seeing her in a cameo appearance a couple years back as Mother Teresa in a skit put on for the parish’s 175th Jubilee. She was amazingly convincing in that role. Germaine had a wonderful sense of humor and would instantly spring into song at the least hint of a pop tune. She knew them all (the old ‘standards’ of popular music). I imagine that in her time she once could dance up a frenzied polka, though by the time she had come to us her dancing years were long past.

Needless to add, Germaine was a regular at Mass, often coming to the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass, after which she sprang right to work, emptying baskets and filling humidifiers in the wintertime before settling down to her by then cold piece of toast and tepid cup of coffee. Her holy cards next to the iron in the basement told the story of the many little prayers she must have said quietly everyday.

With all that she did, it would take a good four persons to replace her, not that this is the reason we are mourning her death. She was simply part of the rectory family, someone whom I imagined would always be there. Not only was she helpful, but she had a cheerful, dynamic personality. I especially liked those stock phrases and slogans that she frequently used, to which I would often make responses of similar kind of my own. If I would express some preference for her to do something or other, she might snap back, “You drive a hard bargain.” Or, if someone of the rectory staff happened to come in the door, she would pipe up with, “Look who the wind blew in.” She had many other such one-liners that only she could get away with because we all knew she meant no harm. She was without doubt a tough willed person. How else could she have driven her aging body to such superhuman lengths of endurance? She was simply one of a kind.

We will all miss Germaine. I doubt we’ll ever find another like her. But it’s not just her utility that we will miss. We will miss her. Our rectory life will not be the same without her.

I hope that she will soon be enjoying a much deserved rest from all her labors, rest in that place we all hope one day to enjoy. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I can’t thing of anyone for whom those words seem more appropriate than for Germaine Wisniewski.

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Requiescat in Pace: Germaine Wisniewski of the Grotto Staff

Germaine, in her role as Mother Teresa in a skit at Fr. Perrone's 30th Anniversary celebration.

Monday evening, as time approached for the 8:00pm Rosary at the funeral home where my mother was laid out, the director informed us that the priest would be late due to an accident in front of the parish. After the Rosary, I asked Fr. White, who had gotten there at around 8:30 to share with the many Grotto-goers at the funeral home, the sad news.

Our beloved Germaine, who has been a fixture at the parish for many decades, and rectory where she continued to work even at 84 years of age, had been struck and killed by a car in front of the rectory. It was divine providence that all three priests where right there at the parish, actually preparing to leave for the funeral home. Fr. Perrone ran to her side while Fr. John went for the oils. She was Annointed and received the Apostolic Pardon there in the street. Paramedics said there was still a heart beat, but she died a short time later.

Since I am heading back to work today, please watch the Assumption Grotto website for details of her arrangements.

Please keep Germaine in your prayers, as well as her family, the rectory staff and friends. This was a very traumatic death, especially for those close to her and those who were with her in those final moments.

PETER'S FUNERAL HOME: 8 MILE & MACK

THURSDAY - 6/25: VISITATION 5-9 PM

FRIDAY - 6/26: VISITATION 2-9, ROSARY 8:00 P.M

SATURDAY - 6/27:

IN STATE IN GROTTO CHURCH VESTIBULE

MASS AT GROTTO 10:00 A.M.A LUNCHEON FOLLOWS IN THE GYM.

INTERMENT IN GROTTO CEMETERY

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R.I.P. - Fr. Stanley Jaki, OSB

Priest and great Catholic author, Fr. Stanley Jaki, OSB - has passed away.

Requiescat in pace.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Jaki.

If you are a Grotto-goer and have been in our giftshop, you will have probably seen the nice section of Fr. Jaki's books available. He was a a physicist, as well.

Fr. Z has a post up and the combox may be of interest to those familiar with Father and his works.

EDIT: Fr. Tim Finigan in the UK also has a nice post.

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R.I.P.: Fr. Val Rykowski 1916-2009....And, God loves you too, Fr. Val

Fr. Val concelebrating Holy Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC when the auxiliary bishop of Karaganda, Kazakhstan and author of Dominus Est, visited St. Cyril & Methodius in July 2008

UPDATE - March 5, 2009: Consider bookmarking this post and revisiting it daily. Comments are dropping in with some amazing "Fr. Val" stories. Perhaps you have one to contribute. Moderation most often happens in the evening, so don't be discouraged if you don't see your comment right away.

I learned at Grotto's 6:30am Mass this morning of the passing of Fr. Val Rykowski, once called the Archdiocese of Detroit's version of the Energizer Bunny. Anyone who came into contact with the holy, elderly priest could see his great love for God and his holiness. But, Fr. Val himself would admonish us all to pray for the repose of his soul, no matter how saintly we considered him.

This holy priest, who exemplified the love of Christ, died with his boots on. He pushed himself at times to help in whatever way he could right up until the end. He continuously reminded us just how much God loved us.

Well done, faithful servant, well done. And, God loves you too!

I must get off to work, but would like to share one thing that I remember most about Fr. Val: His love for the Holy Eucharist. I use to go to the 6:00am Mass at Sts Cyril & Methodius, before Grotto began the 6:30am daily weekday liturgy. Fr. Val spent his final years at Sts C & M and whenever he said Mass, I could not keep myself from crying as I saw tears streaming down Father's face during the Consecration. I don't think I have ever seen him not get all choked up during the Consecration. It was a testimony to the Real Presence for me and he witnessed this fact well. A powerful, gentle lesson from a holy priest.




Please feel free to share your thoughts and stories of Fr. Val in the combox here. I will moderate comments before and after work, so it may take some time before you see you comment.

Also keep in your prayers, the priests and people who were so close to Fr. Val at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights and in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Check the Sts Cyril & Methodius homepage for details and arrangements.

EDIT: The viewing and funeral have been delayed because the pastor, Fr. Ben, is out of the country. Viewing will be Monday the 9th, and Tuesday, with the funeral at Noon Wednesday. See more details in the link directly above.

Fr. Val speaking at the August 13, 2007 Fatima Devotion at Assumption Grotto

Fr. Val was known to plead with people to pray the Fatima Angel's Prayer:

MOST HOLY TRINITY, I adore you! My God, My God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

MY GOD, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I ask pardon for for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee.

Requiescat in pace, faithful son of the Church!

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RIP: Michael Dubruiel, husband of Amy Welborn

Sad news, I'm picking up. I'm posting this on my lunch hour, especially with an apparent server outage for the software I use to do my work.

Michael Dubruiel, blogger, author, and husband of author and Catholic blogger Amy Welborn, passed away suddenly of an apparent heart attack after working out. He just turned 50 two months ago.

Fr. Z is taking up a spiritual e-boquet on his blog in this post since her combox is shut down.

Please keep Amy and her boys in your prayers, and pray for the repose of Michael's soul.

EDIT: Amy has made a new post, featuring Michael's last column that he wrote for the upcoming diocesan paper. It was emailed to her today. Funeral arrangments have been made, and it is Bishop Robert Baker who will be celebrating.



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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Requiescat in Pace - Father Richard John Neuhaus

I reported earlier that Fr. Richard John Neuhaus was said to be near death after learning recently of cancern and then coming down with a severe infection.

I learned through a comment in my original post that he passed away just before 10:00am.

Requiescat in pace, Father Richard John Neuhaus. Pray for him.

Here is something written by Joseph Bottum at the First Things site - where many of Father's writings appeared....

Richard John Neuhaus, 1936–2009

Here is an essay Joseph Bottum posted by Fr. Neuhaus, originally written in 2000:

Born Toward Dying by Father Richard John Neuhaus

We will dearly miss this priest who had such a large presence in writing and in media.

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Funeral Mass for Avery Cardinal Dulles at St. Patrick's

Cardinal Egan uses incense at the funeral Mass for Avery Cardinal Dulles, who passed away this past week.
Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times

• Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. 1918-2008 (by Cardinal Egan)
  
• For Cardinal Dulles, a Farewell Filled with Majesty (NY Times)
  
• The Last Goodbye (Whispers)
• Earlier: Cardinal to Have Three Funeral Masses (Zenit)
  

  
  

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Requiescat in Pace: Avery Cardinal Dulles

I saw this yesterday morning, but I was unable to post on it at the time.

If you are familiar with the Cardinal's works, please see my note at the bottom of this post!

Avery Cardinal Dulles was a great voice of Catholic Orthodoxy. While his voice was silenced for some time by post-polio syndrome, his words were not. He continued to communicate through other means.

From Zenit:

Cardinal Dulles Dead at 90
Scholar Suffered From Post-Polio Syndrome


NEW YORK, DEC. 12, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The New York Province of the Society of Jesus reported that renowned theologian and prolific author Cardinal Avery Dulles died this morning at 90.

Avery Dulles was born Aug. 24, 1918, in Auburn, New York. He was the son of John Foster Dulles, who later served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight Eisenhower.

Dulles converted to Catholicism in 1940 while studying at Harvard University. After graduation he continued at Harvard studying law, but after a year and a half he left the university to join the Navy during World War II, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant.

He entered the Jesuits in 1946 and was ordained 10 years later. He earned a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1960.

Father Dulles taught theology at Woodstock College from 1960 to 1974 and at the Catholic University of America from 1974 to 1988.

He served as the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University from 1988 until April of this year.

He was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001, making him the first American-born theologian not a bishop to receive this honor.

A respected theologian, he served as president of both the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Theological Society. He authored over 750 articles on theological topics, and dozens of books, the latest including "The History of Apologetics," (revised edition, 2005), and "Magisterium: Teacher and Guardian of the Faith" (2007).

The cardinal had been suffering of complications of post-polio syndrome, which he contracted as a Naval officer. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, the cardinal continued to read and communicated by slowing typing on a computer keyboard or writing on a pad of paper.

...continue reading at Zenit: Cardinal Dulles Dead at 90

Unfortunately, I have not read any of his works, but after doing just a little online research, would very much like to.

Have you read his works? Talk about the Cardinal and his works in the combox! What is your favorite book or quote?

Related Links:

• Avery Cardinal Dulles Homepage
• Avery Cardinal Dulles Online Archives (jackpot of resources from the above-listed homepage)

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Former White House Press Secretary and Journalist Tony Snow Dies at 53 from Colon Cancer

Catholic Tony Snow, who is the former White House Press Secretary and former news anchor on tv, and radio show host has died from colon cancer. In the days when I paid attention to politics, I enjoyed watching him, much the way I liked Tim Russert. He was a gentleman and I liked his style, which was not "in your face", nor was he afraid to ask the tough questions.

This morning on Fox News, they talked briefly about how Tony Snow had said that his cancer strengthened his faith.

He was 53 and leaves behind three children and wife of 21 years.

More from Fox News...

Requiescat in pace.


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NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert Dies at 58

Many people here in the US are deeply saddened with the sudden passing of Tim Russert, the NBC News Washington Bureau Chief. MSNBC has had continuous coverage, understandably, as people learn of his passing throughout the evening. There are many great interviews for those of you who loved to watch this man who was about as authentic of a journalist as one could find out there.

My prayers go out for the repose of his soul, and for his grieving family, friends, and co-workers. I give tremendous credit to his co-workers who are continuing to work on MSNBC right now, just mere hours after he collapsed at work of an apparent heart-attack as he prepared for this Sunday's, Meet the Press. Resuscitation attempts were made immediately with no success, and he could not be revived at the hospital.

He had just returned from Italy where he and his family were celebrating the graduation of his son from Boston College. Cardinal John Patrick Foley was being interviewed moments ago and had met with the family in Rome just this week while they were there. Please pray for them on what will be a most difficult Father's Day.

Before I came to Assumption Grotto, I was a somewhat of a political junkie and use to watch all of the Sunday news shows which is where I developed my fondness for Mr. Russert's skills. My faith took center stage and I suddenly lost interest in all of that, but was looking forward to tuning in during this election year.

I can tell you that Tim Russert was among my favorite's to watch because I truly had no idea what his views were. That's because the man was being a true journalist and putting others in the center, as it should be, not himself. He always treated those he interviewed with dignity and respect and not in a condescending manner, even when they were evading his skillfully laid out questions. He was a rare breed for a journalist today in many regards. In addition to his uncanny ability to draw out people's positions without badgering them, he did his homework, and knew other's positions sometimes better than they knew them. He was objective. I only learned a few minutes ago that Tim was a registered "independent", even though he had a short political career working for Democrats early on.

Tim Russert did not twist people's words, but would aid those being interviewed into conflicts created by their own words from past speeches, books, and other media. He did not trip people up; they tripped themselves up. He knew how to end the "BS" - politely and constructively - to get back to the point at hand, but he did it with class.

He was always happy and full of joy - that likeable kind of guy that gets along with everyone. We can only hope that all young people interested in journalism will study his life and his abilities to learn from him what authentic journalism is all about.

How ironic that his life should end before his Dad's and so close to Father's Day. His book Big Russ and Me was a big hit.

He was a gentleman, a Catholic, a true journalist, and a family man. Only Our Lord knows why he was called in the peak of his career and at such a happy time in his life. Thanks be to God that he and his family got to spend some quality time together before his passing.

Requiescat in pace, Tim Russert.

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