With the deaths of Karol Wojtyla and Theresa Marie Schindler, Holy Week 2005 set before those with the eyes of faith, a Passion Play to devour. Terri, though not in the natural process of dying, was caged in a hospice to suffer the tortuous death sentence of dehydration by edict of a judge who lacked Wisdom. Karol, who actually WAS in the end process of dying, accepted palliative care but refused extraordinary means of prolonging that death. God’s object lessons tend not to be subtle.
Where you there when they crucified my Lord?
Where you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
(Tuesday, 5 April 2005)
...If not, I humbly offer these impressions of Terri’s funeral
from an EARwitness “point-of-view”:
After three traffic jams on I-4 from Orlando to Pinellas, I arrived at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church just five minutes before Mass was to start. I had asked God to please let me be on time :-) You should have seen all the “Choose Life” license plates in the parking lot! I discovered there was no room left inside by then as it is a fairly small and simple parish church. But they had anticipated overflow. Loudspeakers and folding chairs were set up in the adjacent walkway/garden.
Throughout the evening, whenever Fr. Malinowski, family friend and celebrant of the Mass, referred to Terri, he called her Terri Schindler or Theresa Marie Schindler or simply Terri. Never Mrs. _______.
Fr. Pavone’s homily was superb. He concluded it by singing the Latin chant that he sung for Terri in her last moments. It is one of the many times I sobbed.
Pamela Hennessey, sister Suzanne Vitadamo, brother Bobby Schindler and Glenn Beck offered eulogies. Bobby told about the Purple Heart the Schindler family received in the mail the day after Terri died. He read the accompanying letter from the Vietnam veteran who had gifted his own military medal in honor of Terri. Worded just so, it described the purpose of the medal as sometimes awarded to civilians wounded or killed by enemies of our nation. The manner in which he turned a phrase to illustrate the judiciary’s wicked assault was indeed eloquent.
Even considering that I sat outside partially among journalists who were not participating, I believe it was the most moving funeral I have ever attended. Those around me who did worship praised God with such zeal and sincerity, I’m certain that it was quite a witness to the casual observers. This truly was A Celebration of Life as the cover of the program proclaimed.
At the reception afterwards, I stood in line and met mother Mary and shook hands with dad, Bob. I wanted – no I needed – to tell him what an example of fatherly love and advocacy he was, and how it impacted me personally as the father of a disabled daughter. And true to form – the Rock that he had been for their family throughout the prolonged ordeal – he compassionately comforted me.
Throughout the evening, whenever Fr. Malinowski, family friend and celebrant of the Mass, referred to Terri, he called her Terri Schindler or Theresa Marie Schindler or simply Terri. Never Mrs. _______.
Fr. Pavone’s homily was superb. He concluded it by singing the Latin chant that he sung for Terri in her last moments. It is one of the many times I sobbed.
Pamela Hennessey, sister Suzanne Vitadamo, brother Bobby Schindler and Glenn Beck offered eulogies. Bobby told about the Purple Heart the Schindler family received in the mail the day after Terri died. He read the accompanying letter from the Vietnam veteran who had gifted his own military medal in honor of Terri. Worded just so, it described the purpose of the medal as sometimes awarded to civilians wounded or killed by enemies of our nation. The manner in which he turned a phrase to illustrate the judiciary’s wicked assault was indeed eloquent.
Even considering that I sat outside partially among journalists who were not participating, I believe it was the most moving funeral I have ever attended. Those around me who did worship praised God with such zeal and sincerity, I’m certain that it was quite a witness to the casual observers. This truly was A Celebration of Life as the cover of the program proclaimed.
At the reception afterwards, I stood in line and met mother Mary and shook hands with dad, Bob. I wanted – no I needed – to tell him what an example of fatherly love and advocacy he was, and how it impacted me personally as the father of a disabled daughter. And true to form – the Rock that he had been for their family throughout the prolonged ordeal – he compassionately comforted me.
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