In this moment of sorrow, the Lord is in our midst and consoles us with his word:
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
So often we turn to our priests, asking them to console us and pray for us, especially in times of distress, such as when a loved one has died. Last evening, the Blessed Sacrament community came together to pray for one of our former priests, Rev. Terry Cramer, and offer our support and condolences to his family to console them in this difficult time. This is how Father John Cregan began his homily before a crowded church at the Memorial Mass for our former father and eternal brother in Christ.
Father Cregan recounted how so many people from all stations of life remembered Father Cramer not only for his excellent teaching in his homilies, but especially for the care and compassion he brought to others. From weddings to baptisms to funerals and much more in between, he was a priest who really cared and brought the consolation of Christ to many people. For this we give thanks to God, for the life of Terry Cramer, for his priesthood, for the joy and comfort he brought to his spiritual family at Blessed Sacrament and elsewhere.
Jesus is always about life and that gives us hope, Father Cregan emphasized, noting Saint Paul's assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). As the Mass readings said, this "hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us [and] God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:5-8).
This is a great blessing and grace for which we ask God in all humility for our brother Terry as well as ourselves. Even though too often we all stray and fail to live up to the promises of Christ, our Lord in His mercy tells us, "this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day" (John 6:39-40).
Terry Allen Cramer was given to God in Baptism and Holy Orders, anointing him with the Holy Spirit and sealing his soul with an indelible mark as belonging to the Lord. Having been consecrated and configured to Christ, permanently marked with the sign of faith and the seal of eternal life, with our prayers to Divine Mercy for the repose of his soul, we have hope that he may know the blessed vision of God and the resurrection of the body (CCC 1272-74, 1581-84).
This Memorial Mass also reminds us that we are all family. Priests may come and go, parishioners of Blessed Sacrament may come and go, but family is forever. Even though one may leave, he or she will always be our brother or sister, one family, a loving communion in God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from this love.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
So often we turn to our priests, asking them to console us and pray for us, especially in times of distress, such as when a loved one has died. Last evening, the Blessed Sacrament community came together to pray for one of our former priests, Rev. Terry Cramer, and offer our support and condolences to his family to console them in this difficult time. This is how Father John Cregan began his homily before a crowded church at the Memorial Mass for our former father and eternal brother in Christ.
Father Cregan recounted how so many people from all stations of life remembered Father Cramer not only for his excellent teaching in his homilies, but especially for the care and compassion he brought to others. From weddings to baptisms to funerals and much more in between, he was a priest who really cared and brought the consolation of Christ to many people. For this we give thanks to God, for the life of Terry Cramer, for his priesthood, for the joy and comfort he brought to his spiritual family at Blessed Sacrament and elsewhere.
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| Raising of Lazarus by Duccio |
This is a great blessing and grace for which we ask God in all humility for our brother Terry as well as ourselves. Even though too often we all stray and fail to live up to the promises of Christ, our Lord in His mercy tells us, "this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day" (John 6:39-40).
Terry Allen Cramer was given to God in Baptism and Holy Orders, anointing him with the Holy Spirit and sealing his soul with an indelible mark as belonging to the Lord. Having been consecrated and configured to Christ, permanently marked with the sign of faith and the seal of eternal life, with our prayers to Divine Mercy for the repose of his soul, we have hope that he may know the blessed vision of God and the resurrection of the body (CCC 1272-74, 1581-84).
This Memorial Mass also reminds us that we are all family. Priests may come and go, parishioners of Blessed Sacrament may come and go, but family is forever. Even though one may leave, he or she will always be our brother or sister, one family, a loving communion in God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from this love.
God of faithfulness, in your wisdom you have called your servant Terry out of this world; release him from the bonds of sin and welcome him into your presence, so that he may enjoy eternal life and peace and be raised up in glory with all your saints.
Eternal rest grant unto all your faithful departed, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
1 comment:
Lord, hear our prayer for Fr. Terry Cramer.
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