On Friday, January 28th, I celebrated the funeral of Dorothy Kaminski, the mother of Tracy & Kelly and the grandmother of Quentin, who graduated from our parish school here at St. Leo’s. His grandmother, whom he called Nana, was very proud of him and was able to celebrate his 21st birthday with him. “Dottie,” as she was called, worked as a bus driver along with her husband Roy. She loved spending time at the bus garage with her friends, but eventually she was diagnosed with MS and could no longer work. We pray that she may now be free from all the limitations of our human condition in order to enjoy the life of God’s heavenly kingdom.
The following day I had the funeral Mass for Shirley Ferraro whose death was sudden and unexpected. Fr. Ned Weist, former pastor of St. Leo’s, joined us for the celebration of her life. I would greet Shirley and her husband Richard (of 57 years) as they entered the church for Mass each week and Shirley would always greet me with a smile. I met their 3 daughters, all of whom attended our parish school. Every night Shirley would text them and her grandchildren to remind them of her love for them. Shirley was a Eucharistic Minister at our parish and prayed the rosary daily, so we trust that Mary prayed for her, especially at the hour of her death. May she now know the Lord whose Body she distributed to others. Miriam Fontaine was also a long time and faithful member of the parish. I first met her when her husband Marty died during my first year here at St. Leo’s in 2014. They had 2 sons and were happily married for 59 years.
Miriam would always sit in the first pew in front of the tabernacle & she would be the first one I would see and greet before the 4pm Mass. Miriam sang in our parish choir and loved different types of music. For several years she also sang in our resurrection choir which would sing during our funeral Masses. She also loved working in her garden, planting roses and flowers of every color. As a member of the Golden Ager’s Club here at St. Leo’s, she made many friends with the other senior members of the parish. We trust that her friends in heaven, especially the Virgin Mary, St. Ann & St. Gerard, will now welcome her to God’s house.
This past Tuesday we gathered to remember the life of Joseph Mackey who leaves behind his wife Judy and 3 children, William, Bethany & Amy. Though Joe was not Catholic, he supported the Catholic education of his children. Joe’s obituary was filled with beautiful remembrances of his meaningful life as he built a family and a circle of friends who were like family to him. He was a man of service to others in many different ways…as a coach for high school bowlers, as a scout and neighborhood block captain for safety and as a worker who enjoyed not only his job but the people he met along the way. His obituary ended with these words: “Joe’s impact will be felt by many for a long time to come. The relationships he had became friendships he cherished. His legacy carries on in the character and work ethics instilled in his children, those he mentored and in the example he set for those who knew him.” May he find a rich reward in God’s kingdom.
Finally, Fr. Tom Dragga, a former parochial vicar here at St. Leo’s, celebrated the funeral Mass for Mark James, whom he knew during his time here. We extend our sympathies & promise our prayers to Mark’s wife and family as they also mourn one who served the community well.
Deacon Pat and I will be happy to bless throats after the Masses this weekend in commemoration of St. Blaise whose feast we celebrated this past Thursday.