Well, it's been an interesting week! Starting with assisting with a confirmation retreat for the eighth graders at our parish, followed by the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and then Friday I received word in the morning that one of the priests that I had just served with on Sunday, passed away. I will be taking a vacation day from work later this week to attend the funeral of Fr. Ron Cornish.
I have never been to a funeral for a priest. I guess that is probably a result of a great deal of moving around and straying from my faith. Now that I have found such a firm foundation in the Catholic Church, I have been not only meeting new priests, but getting to know them and serving with them. I knew it was a long shot, but I was still a bit disappointed to be told that I wouldn't be able to serve at the funeral.
I know that God brought me here to Kansas City for a reason, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to serve with this wonderful and holy man. With the ages and health of so many priests lately deteriorating, it is so important that we not only support young men with vocations to the priesthood, but encourage more of them to consider a vocation to the priesthood. If serving daily in my local parish is the extent of the liturgical work that the Lord is calling me to, I will be content in knowing that my life was a success if just one young man is encouraged by my being there.
Fair Well Fr. Ron! I hope, as your last words to me said, I will "See Ya" in Heaven someday.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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