It was a hard week. It was the kind of week that reminds us that the Christian life can be hard, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. But Jesus and His Divine Mercy still encompass it all.

Much has been going on in our society, and current events aside, much has been going on in life and in work for me and the family.

On Saturday morning, we received the very sad news that one of our parish & school families had suffered a devastating loss. A mother and her fourth grade son had been in a car accident on Friday evening. The mom did not survive, and her fourth grade son was still in the hospital.

When I told our youngest son and asked him to go to our chapel and pray for them with me, he just hugged me where we stood – we hugged each other – and we cried together. He just said, “Dad, this is just so, so sad.”

And it was – and is.

And that kind of sums up the general feeling of the last couple of weeks.

Last Tuesday, while our priests were away at their semi-annual Convocation, a family called the parish about a family member who seemed to be journeying her last hours of life. I had visited her several times with Holy Communion or to pray, so I jumped at the opportunity to continue my diaconal ministry with her and her family and went by their house after work.

Our priests had already visited her a couple of times and offered the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at least twice, so there wasn’t an urgency, but I still felt compelled to visit and pray with them.

We talked and prayed together, but although she was still sitting up, you could tell that she was slowing down even more. Still, it was a beautiful and bittersweet time, and I was grateful for the time with her and her family members.

On Sunday morning, she was on my list to take Holy Communion to again. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and when the family members met me on the porch, they noted that she had been unconscious and resting since I had left their house mid-week, and that she probably wouldn’t be able to receive Communion.

Instead, I just visited briefly with her and them, prayed with them, and gave her a blessing.

I will never forget the scene, though. The bedroom was simple, and the family was gathered. She was peaceful.

She had a simple image of the Divine Mercy pinned up over her bed.

I found myself drawn to just gaze upon Jesus, the Divine Mercy, as I offered the prayer and a blessing.

“Jesus, I trust in you.”

As I departed and took the few steps down from the front door stoop, the emotion of the week caught up with me, and I caught some tears coming to my eyes.

Everything with Charlie Kirk, the anniversary of September 11, the mother and son from our school, and now this.

What came to my heart and mind was simple: “Ministry is hard. Ministry is hard. It takes so much out of you. God’s people need so much.”

But this is also the grace of Ordination. This is where the grace shines and pours forth – as long as we stay close to God in prayer, and take these moments to him in contemplation and reflection.

It’s also the grace of Baptism. This is where each of the faithful, in a certain way, in the situations and moments and places of every day life, pour forth the threefold office they share: Priest, Prophet, and King, by virtue of the grace of Baptism.

Life is hard. The Christian life is hard. But it’s worth it.

Choose prayer,
choose courage,
choose beauty,
choose adventure,
choose family.
Choose a life of faith.
Most importantly, choose Christ.
– Erika Kirk

Mrs. Sylvia Winfield passed away early Monday morning, having lived a full 102 years, fortified by the Sacraments of Mother Church, and accompanied by the beautiful grace of the prayers of her family and many of our parishioners who continued to visit her, pray with her, and help us ensure she received Holy Communion during her time at home. For this, we give thanks and praise to God.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you.