Eternal Rest, grant unto them

Yesterday was the Funeral Mass for Fr. Michael J. Ryan a former pastor of St. Paul's in South Seattle during the 80's.

This picture was taken a few years ago at my grandfather's Funeral Mass at St. Paul's. Fr. Mike, on the right pictured behind my uncle who was a student at St. Paul's when Fr. Mike was pastor, returned many times to St. Paul's during his retirement for as many birthday celebrations and funerals as he could. I'll especially miss his sense of humor and joyous outlook on life. For example, he didn't want any incense at his Funeral Mass because he thought he would choke! On a more serious note, he encourage me as a lay minister in the Church. For all that he is and has done for me and my family, I am ever grateful.

A few months ago another former pastor of St. Paul returned to God, Fr. L. Jerry McCloskey, who was the pastor when I was in the parish grade school. Seeing many St. Paul parishioners attend both funerals reminded me of how many people love these two holy men of God.

Rest in peace, Father Gallagher

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father William Gallagher, who passed away early this morning at Mount St. Vincent.  Father Gallagher was ordained in 1946 at St. James Cathedral and served there as a curate and then as pastor from 1974-1988.  He also served as pastor at Sacred Heart in Bellevue and at St. Luke’s in Shoreline.  He was a good and faithful priest for 67 years! 

Information on Father Gallagher's Funeral Mass may be found on the Cathedral website.

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.