“It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.”  (Ernie Harwell, Hall of Fame Detroit Tigers announcer)

Though I have opportunities to ‘practice’ over the years, I have never quite been comfortable with farewells, saying goodbye.  With the passing of my father and mother, my favorite Uncle Bill, my best friend Jeff, a close friend leaving the seminary early, and the many parishioners left behind as I was re-assigned,  ‘farewells’ have never gotten easier.  All of us face those moments with a mixture of loss and hope, a void and gratitude for the time shared.  

We bid Deacon Darwin Messerly and Walter Pugh goodbye this week, as they each embark on a new journey, with the grace of the experiences and individuals encountered in our parishes as a guiding light forward.  Deacon Darwin has been a mainstay through the different pastors and employees over the past twenty two years, maintaining the  churches, the school, grounds, and sharing his passionate faith as a Youth Minister and Deacon.  Through his own life experiences he has had to face transitions and loss, the difficult “good byes.”  His faith and ‘welcoming’ character has provided a much needed ministry to our Catholic communities here in Boone county.  Transitioning to the urban setting of Kansas City with some unknowns to be encountered, Deacon Darwin will continue to bring forth a spirit of hope, of levity and faith to those he will encounter and the experiences he will face.  We are simply gracious of the time and faith he offered our Catholic community, and how we have influenced his openness to our God leading him on this journey. 

Walter has been a part of our Catholic community for the last couple years, providing a gentle spirit and calming faith to the youth of our parish, the adults he encountered in his ministry and those with whom he shared the responsibilities our activities.  His faith and desire to minister to youth and adults alike was shaped through his family upbringing and an innate sense of God’s will affirming his gentle spirit, and unique personality—quietly influencing others to accept their own faith and distinctive character.  With so many distractions and activities pulling youth and families in different directions, the sincerity of his faith—and constancy—has challenged each of us of the significance of our relationship with God within our daily lives and responsibilities.  His venture to further his education and opportunities going forward will always be tempered by his personal faith and desire to share such with others.

Good bye to Deacon Darwin and Walter seems too limited; rather, “thank you for the time, the faith, the values and hope they have shared with us.  God will provide each of them the grace to say ‘hello’ to their respective journeys and encounters of faith.

Each of our churches in Boone county are blessed with parish halls that remain welcoming and comfortable for parishioners and visitors alike.  At the same time, volunteers at each church allow for the upkeep and  hospitality of those who use our facilities, regardless of the gatherings.  We are blessed.  As we continue to make use of the new parish hall at Sacred Heart, and its upkeep, we recognize the need to address the acoustics.  With the hard surfaces encompassing the space, voices and sounds reverberate significantly.  Though we didn’t anticipate the need or cost of installing acoustic soundboards, such is a definite addition to allow our new hall to be a welcoming and comfortable space for different settings.  We are in the process of finalizing the project to be completed before the end of summer—hopefully.  Soundboards will be hung from the ceiling spaced between each row of lights, significantly reducing the reverberation.  

“Talitha Koum” the Aramaic words Jesus voiced to the little girl who was thought dead in this Sunday’s gospel passage reminds me of another pair of unique words: “Toksha Ake.”  A Lakota Sioux expression for farewell, literally meaning “we will see you again.”  Most Native American tribes have no word for “good bye,” because it is too final, the hoop of love and connectedness would be broken forever.  “Toksha Ake” implies when departing from another, ‘we will see each other again, if not physically, then in spirit.’

God Bless, Fr. Tim

FYI:  Aramaic had replaced Hebrew as the language of the Jews as early as the 6th century BCE.  Aramaic was used by the common people, while Hebrew remained the language of religion, government and of the upper class; Jesus and the Apostles are believed to have spoken Aramaic.