Cretin-Derham Hall

p>Nativity Church was packed with 800 plus family and friends of Joey Kaiser, Molly, his Mom, and Jenny, his sister (CDH ‘07). Joey suffered from a mental disorder (experiencing highs and lows), and on May 20th, less than four months ago, he took off from home in a manic state. A short time later his bike was found near the Mississippi. The river and river bank were searched thoroughly for any sign of him. As June passed, then July, hope diminished for his safe return home alive, as much as his family held on to it. The pain of not knowing the whereabouts of a missing person is more diffcult to endure than the bad news of a death. No closure, it is called. Closure came finally about two weeks ago when Joey’s bodily remains were discovered by the Ford dam. Details about his final hours are stored in Mystery.

What is certain is that Joey’s spirit has been in the loving arms of God from the moment he crossed over from this life into eternity. Joey was a talented and faith filled child of God. Baptized into the Mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, he lives now in God’s time, knowing the peace his deep faith introduced to him while he walked this earth. Joey had an exceptional faith relationship with Jesus and Mary. The rosary he prayed often. Many of his prayers he left us, written down on scraps of paper. They manifest a loving, kind spirit and a generous one, wishing to give his clothes and other items to the less advantaged.

The sadness surrounding Joey was palpable at his Memorial Mass. You could feel it, especially poignant were the tears of his classmates from CDH and the neighborhood. Over the past three months Joey’s mom and sister have received an outpouring of love and support from their extended family, the Nativity parish and CDH communities, and their many friends. It is important that this support continue. It is a blessing beyond words.

May Joey Kaiser rest in peace. May all the faithful departed rest in God’s loving arms.

(A footnote for consideration: when deaths occur such as Joey’s, it is important to remember two points. First, God did not cause Joey’s death. Sometimes, in the midst of grief and in an attempt to be comforting, someone might use the phrase "God took Joey". If it means that God received Joey, after his illness took him, the phrase is accurate. If it means,however, that somehow God caused Joey’s death, the phrase is very misleading. God does not cause accidents or illnesses or deaths by hurricanes, suicides and homicides. Such deaths happen and are a part of nature and the human experience. Where God is present is in answering the prayers needed to cope with death; acceptance of what is, courage, inner peace, trust, faith, hope and love.

Second. The "what ifs" are not helpful. Those close to Joey will naturally wonder "what if I had been a better friend, what if I had chased after him when he sped away, what if he had not gone off his meds or had been given a different preseciption, what if, what if. It may be necessary to go through the "what if" stage. It is more important to go through it, beyond it, and move positively into the future.)         

Our Catholic tradition is a treasure to live as a way of life and a treasure to cherish as a mature faith. I am constantly inspired by Catholics who live their Faith, who embrace its values, customs, and culture. Our Church has not only survived twenty centuries but continues to thrive as a life-giving community of believers. Just about every mistake and wrong that humans can commit, we have done. Given a life span of two thousand years this should not come as a surprize. Not only have Catholics been guilty of individual failures and sins, but the Church as an institution has been guilty, also. If one is looking for perfect people or the perfect church? Sorry, not this side of Heaven! Isn’t an institution as strong as its members, and its core values and beliefs, and its maturity — the result of its learnings along the way and the quality of its commitment to the good, the true and the beautiful? Then add to all this, it is a community of faith in relationship with the Divine.

It is truly a grace what God has done and continues to do through the Catholic faithful in spite of our human weaknesses. Over centuries of growth and struggle, the Catholic Church has developed an exceptionally mature understanding of justice, individual and social. It has produced saints, both recognized and not, who have given to humanity models of compassion and heroic virtue. The Catholic tradition is exemplary in its reverence for the mind, for nature, for human life and all living things. The Catholic Chruch has played a vital role in the development of Western civilization, including the strengthening of democratic ideals and a just society. Is there more work yet to be done? Surely. Are there challenges still to be met? Surely. Will the Church ever be perfect? Not this side of Heaven. But it is a treasure worth cherishing, a community of faith worth belonging to, and a blessing not to be taken lightly or to be easily dismissed. Embrace, cherish and live.