I am writing this column on Tuesday, August 2nd, the day of Fr. Vesely’s funeral Mass. I just asked you for your prayers for him & his sister in last weekend’s bulletin when I was away and how timely that was for he was taken from us on July 27th. Bishop Amos presided over the Vespers Service (the Evening Prayer of the Church offered for every priest on the day before his funeral Mass) at 3pm on Monday, August 1st. I was happy to offer my thoughts about Fr. Vesely in the homily and that Vespers service can be viewed on our website. Then on Tuesday, August 2nd, Bishop Gries celebrated the Funeral Mass at 11am, with Fr. Ned Weist preaching the homily. He was a former pastor here at St. Leo’s and someone whose first parish assignment was at St. Charles in Parma when Fr. Vesely was assigned there as a “Senior Associate.” Several priests also concelebrated the funeral Mass as well. Fr. Vesely had chosen the scripture readings and songs to be used at the funeral Mass (as the Diocese encourages each priest to do) and we sang his well-known “Litany of Thanksgiving” before the Mass began. The choir sang “Going Home,” a song that Fr. Vesely would sing after Holy Communion whenever he celebrated a funeral Mass. It was a wonderful way for us to celebrate his almost 68 years as a priest and to commend him to God. 

     Sadly, Fr. Vesely’s sister Milly, who’s 98th birthday is this weekend, took a fall the Saturday after Fr. Vesely died. She was in need of surgery on the day of his Vespers service, and gratefully it went well, but of course meant that Milly could not be present for the wake or funeral Mass. The funeral liturgy was also live-streamed (and is available as well on our website for viewing any time) so she will be able to view it with her family members. So we keep her recovery in our prayers as well. 

     I must extend my special gratitude to two parishioners who took special care of Fr. Vesely when he began his stay at Mount Alverna a little over four years ago…they are Harry and Joan Wheeler. This couple not only visited Father on a regular basis, but drove him to his doctor appointments, took him out to eat, and did many other things to care for him during his time there. We should all be grateful to them for doing what the Lord asks each of us to: to care for each other, especially for those who most need our help. Harry & Joan sacrificed much time to extend this charity to Fr. Vesely & on behalf of the parish, I extend to them our deep gratitude for their sacrifices and love. 

     I will include here a copy of the card that was available to people by which to remember Fr. Vesely. You can cut it out of this bulletin & keep it in a prayer book or put it somewhere to remind you to pray for this priest who has helped us on our way to heaven. May he now be welcomed to that place where we hope to follow.