To everything there is a season...
Whether pop song or Bible verse -Catholic edition- it's the same thing. At what is now yesterday morning, our retired priest in residence has traveled full circle on the merry-go-round of life. He passed away at the age of 88, one month to the day of his 89th b-day. Fr. Charles was very interesting and insightful man. He had been married and when his wife passed away he was retired, with a good pension, children grown...and ready for an adventure - the priesthood. He celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest not too long ago and to know him was to be enriched by his presence.
At the wise behest of my BF ( or more accurately her advice in response to my whining about needing to go to confession, but unable to go to my boss, because let's face it he will forgot, but I won't) I began to go to Fr. Charles as my confessor. I'd never had a consistent confessor before, why let them figure out your consistent flaws. Move around, mix it up...sad I know, I've matured some.
My fear was totally ungrounded as any good and by that I mean supportive and challenging confessor, he was excellent. Able to pinpoint and sum up what you were really trying to say and before absolving, able to steer you in the right direction with gentle chiding that you'd thank him for. His penances were always profound and on target to help nurture your soul.
He was a shepherd, gathering his flock each morning in the guise of the local coffee clutch. When he was no longer able to move around for ministering to the flock, he sat on the country style couch in the Admin Hall and let the flock come to him, for advice, consultation or a smile, which we all did at one point or another .
He was also adept at pointing out where one could improve one's job or program or life, but in a non combative fashion, OK the man was an instigator and a classically smooth one at that. I was caught more than once by his guileless eyes and broad smile and at conversations that would end with my muttering to myself...Hey wait a minute, he did it again.
He loved to pray. He prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet every day at 3pm with EWTN. He prayed for the souls in purgatory, of which he assured us that he would be and he hoped soon. He was dedicated to the BVM - Catholic speak for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He loved his wife and was anxious to see her again. For the first three years at our staff Christmas lunch he'd unveil his new "slogan" for the year. The three I particularly remember probably because they rhymed were:
"going to heaven in '97"
"at the gate in '98"
"standing in line in '99".
He loved sports. He loved to talk sports and ask about your favorite team and tease you about their victories and console you in their losses all with a twinkle in his eye.
He loved to teach and every conversation brought him around to teaching about the Faith, he is my inspiration for "covert catechesis".
He announced he had finally achieved as much happiness as possible on earth when he was able to fit everything he owned into the trunk of his car. In fairness he drove a large sedan with a four body trunk, but still I'd need a large UHAUL.
I am grateful for the experience of having known him, being taught by him for a time and am looking forward to a greeting at the Gates, with a big smile and a "Hello there young lady".
May Fr. Charles Kerscher and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN.
At the wise behest of my BF ( or more accurately her advice in response to my whining about needing to go to confession, but unable to go to my boss, because let's face it he will forgot, but I won't) I began to go to Fr. Charles as my confessor. I'd never had a consistent confessor before, why let them figure out your consistent flaws. Move around, mix it up...sad I know, I've matured some.
My fear was totally ungrounded as any good and by that I mean supportive and challenging confessor, he was excellent. Able to pinpoint and sum up what you were really trying to say and before absolving, able to steer you in the right direction with gentle chiding that you'd thank him for. His penances were always profound and on target to help nurture your soul.
He was a shepherd, gathering his flock each morning in the guise of the local coffee clutch. When he was no longer able to move around for ministering to the flock, he sat on the country style couch in the Admin Hall and let the flock come to him, for advice, consultation or a smile, which we all did at one point or another .
He was also adept at pointing out where one could improve one's job or program or life, but in a non combative fashion, OK the man was an instigator and a classically smooth one at that. I was caught more than once by his guileless eyes and broad smile and at conversations that would end with my muttering to myself...Hey wait a minute, he did it again.
He loved to pray. He prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet every day at 3pm with EWTN. He prayed for the souls in purgatory, of which he assured us that he would be and he hoped soon. He was dedicated to the BVM - Catholic speak for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He loved his wife and was anxious to see her again. For the first three years at our staff Christmas lunch he'd unveil his new "slogan" for the year. The three I particularly remember probably because they rhymed were:
"going to heaven in '97"
"at the gate in '98"
"standing in line in '99".
He loved sports. He loved to talk sports and ask about your favorite team and tease you about their victories and console you in their losses all with a twinkle in his eye.
He loved to teach and every conversation brought him around to teaching about the Faith, he is my inspiration for "covert catechesis".
He announced he had finally achieved as much happiness as possible on earth when he was able to fit everything he owned into the trunk of his car. In fairness he drove a large sedan with a four body trunk, but still I'd need a large UHAUL.
I am grateful for the experience of having known him, being taught by him for a time and am looking forward to a greeting at the Gates, with a big smile and a "Hello there young lady".
May Fr. Charles Kerscher and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN.
