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PASTOR'S PAGE |
May 6, 2008
Day following the funeral for Father Malachy McBride, Capuchin
The Celebration of Life for Father Malachy was extraordinary in many ways. All of the words spoken about him captured all of those qualities for which he will be remembered and for which he is loved. He truly has touched us all in ways that will be revealed for a long time to come.
There is so much gratitude in my heart for so many people. I feel it necessary to try to offer a word of thanks. The great danger is, though, that I will forget someone. If I do, please forgive me, it is not intended. My mind is on limited strength and so it’s easy for me to imagine an oversight.
FROM THE HEART, THANKS
To our maintenance staff: In two days, they set up the Great Room and Nevin Hall for Saturday’s events; set up the Great Room and Nevin Hall for Sunday morning, changed everything for Sunday evening, including setting up 700 chairs for the Spanish Mass in Nevin Hall for Sunday night and the Great Room for the Vigil reception; changed the set up in Nevin Hall for overflow for the funeral reception. Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. My thanks.
To our music ministry: You were simply spectacular. There have been so many compliments on both the Vigil music and the Funeral music. My special thanks go to Maggie Holloway and Gary Gabriel who directed the choirs. The choir was composed of members of all of our choirs.
To our altar servers: Our young people were special to Father Malachy and we invited them to hand out programs at both the Vigil and the Funeral. A big thank you to you!
To the Marthas: You were AMAZING! I can’t begin to thank you for your help serving food to all the people who joined us for the reception. Your patience, your hospitality and your helpfulness will never be forgotten. HUGE HUGE THANK YOU.
To the Hispanic Community: For being so gracious in moving to Nevin Hall so that we could use the Church for Father Malachy. Muchisimas gracias.
To the staff: I can’t even begin to list all of the ways the staff helped in making this a real celebration of Malachy’s life. As ever, my thanks.
To Donnamarie Irwin, Tee Schall, Steve Loftis and all who took care of so many details. I will never be able to thank you enough.
To the Capuchin Friars and Stephanie Pedersen for being so helpful in planning the celebration.
FINALLY TO ALL OF YOU!!! YOUR CARE AND YOUR LOVE FOR FATHER MALACHY DURING HIS ENTIRE 13 YEARS WITH US BUT ESPECIALLY DURING HIS LAST DAYS—YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR VISITS, YOUR CARDS AND MESSAGES MADE THOSE DAYS VERY SPECIAL DAYS FOR HIM. THE HUGE ATTENDANCE AT BOTH SERVICES IS AN INSPIRING TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MAN, A GREAT PRIEST AND A DEAR FRIEND. I WAS SO PROUD AND GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL, I CAN’T BEGIN TO SAY ANYTHING EXCEPT THE SIMPLE WORDS THANK YOU FROM MY HEART!
Father Marty
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