In my column last week, I asked your prayers for Jo (Josephine) Hoffman & for Roy Kaminski, both of whom were in serious condition and I’m sad to say that both have since passed away. We celebrated the funeral Mass for Jo Hoffman on Friday, June 5th. We express our sympathy to Jo’s sister Kathy Bazil, who made sure that Jo had the pastoral care of the Church at this time and so I was able to anoint Josephine while she was in the nursing home. She had been a devoted Catholic, a Eucharistic Minister & a volunteer. Though she and her husband had no children of their own, she had many godchildren and two step-sons, in addition to many nieces & nephews who were very fond of her. May she now know the great company of God’s children in heaven.
Roy Kaminski was the father of Kelly and Tracy and the grandfather of Quentin Kaminski, a young man who was a faithful altar server here at St. Leo’s. Roy was a veteran of the Korean War and again was a devout church goer who had a special devotion to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death. Roy’s funeral Mass was celebrated this past Tuesday here at St. Leo’s and we express our sympathy to his wife of 55 years, to his daughters and grandson. May he who loved his family deeply now be one with the Holy Family in heaven.
Mildred Mack’s Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated here this past Monday. Mildred and her sister Bernadine came faithfully to the 4pm Saturday Mass together, and Mildred had been at Alverna Nursing home the last few weeks. She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 92. Her sister Bernadine has now experienced the death of all her 6 siblings and so we pray that they all may be reunited in God’s kingdom. Mildred enjoyed traveling and the beauty of God’s creation, especially African violets which were given away to those who attended her funeral Mass. Our sympathies & prayers go out to her sister Bernadine.
I also celebrated the funeral Mass for Jim Roush whom I met just a few months after I arrived at St. Leo’s, when he was in the nursing home. He was able to recover at that time and to continue his service to the parish by being an adult altar server for funeral Masses and by being an active member of our St. Vincent de Paul ministry. He too was a godfather and a confir- mation sponsor to many people and was devout in his Catholic faith, trusting in God’s mercy as he frequented the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I knew Jim as a gentle and kind soul whom I trust will be welcomed by the gentle and kind heart of Jesus.
Finally, Fr. Tom Dragga, a former Parocial Vicar of St. Leo’s, celebrated the funeral Mass for Judy Gruntkowski on Thursday, June 4th. Though she was a parishioner of St. Leo before my time here, she was remembered by many parishioners as a very active member of the parish, along with her husband Frank, to whom we extend our condolences. We will keep all of these deceased and their loved ones in our prayers.
Congratulations to Francisco & Nieves Mendoza who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the 4pm Saturday Mass this weekend! I will be asking God’s continued blessings on them as we thank them for their witness of faith and their reminder to us of Christ’s love for his Bride, the Church. May they enjoy this special occasion with gratitude.