Fr.Jerry's Corner

A NOTE

June 16, 2008
Farewell, Hasta la Vista

While we were waiting for Fr. Tony to say goodbye, I was educating “little” David (4 years old) in the ways of departing. We then proceeded to enter the candle room to say a prayer. Previously I had explained to him that I was leaving St. Isidore and that I was going to another parish, St. Mary’s in West Chicago. “You know, Mary the Mother of Jesus,” I explained to him. “Isn’t she in heaven?” he asked. “Yes, but she also comes and visits there”, I replied. “Is St. Mary’s far away.” he asked me. “No, just nine miles away.” What seemed to me to be endless questions, he concluded, “okay, I’ll visit you as well.” He lit a candle and said his prayer: “I wish, I wish Pipo (the nickname he gave me) wouldn’t have to go.” When Fr. Tony finished Mass, David gave him his blessing: “En el nombre del Padre, y del Espiritu Santo.”

Yeah, I too, wish to stay here and never leave St. Isidore. But this is the way God made us all: pilgrims in life. Indeed, every time as we wave and take leave of a beloved one, we encounter another brother or sister God has put on our path to embrace and love them until we finally arrive to the place where we will embrace God and each other never to leave again. Similarly, as we leave, we take with us a part of each person’s heart wherever we go, as well as we leave pieces of our heart behind. Thus, as I depart, I leave part of me behind, and take a part of you with me to share it with our brothers and sisters at St. Mary’s. Therefore, I won’t say “goodbye” but simply “hasta la vista!”

Fr. Felipe

 

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