For Jess

Yesterday was the funeral mass for Seattle firefighter Jess Hernandez. There were 3 fire trucks, 5 other fire department vehicles, a medic car, and a couple of Seattle Police Department vehicles around 2nd & Stewart Street as I walked into Christ Our Hope church. Even Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn was present for what was supposed to be a small service for close family and friends...it turned into a full church (and lobby)!

Jess was well-known in the Christ Our Hope community, which is where I first met him and his wife, Elizabeth. I will never forget when I was altar serving for one of the 7:00pm Sunday Masses at Christ Our Hope, someone had fainted and Jess used his skills as a fireman to care for the woman until the fire engine came minutes later. It was that night that I discovered that this choir member of Christ Our Hope was a fire fighter.

Jess loved music and was a part of the choir for Christ Our Hope. In fact, this is a picture I took of him and Elizabeth singing for the St. Cecilia Sing! sponsored by the NPM Seattle Chapter (they led the participants in singing “All Are Welcome”)

Towards the end of the Procession to the Place of Committal, Seattle Fire Department Bagpipe Band played Amazing Grace in the lobby outside Christ Our Hope church and as I saw the honor guard of firefighters line the casket, the line of bagpipers, and various friends and apartment residents look on, I couldn't help but be moved by the profound ritual and the many people who were inspired by this great man…myself included. A man of service, love, faith, and compassion!

Jess, may the angels lead you into paradise;

may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, 

the new and eternal Jerusalem.