Year of Mercy Reflection

Friday, May. 27, 2016

Editor’s note: During the Year of Mercy, the Intermountain Catholic will publish a short reflection each week written by a variety of Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City: priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, Utah Catholic Schools teachers/principals, lay ecclesial ministers, religious education teachers and others. We hope you enjoy these, and that they give insight into the myriad ways mercy can be incorporated into everyday life. 

Many years ago my family arrived here in Logan and became members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. We came from the Midwest and a very large parish. St. Thomas was very small. Upon our arrival, the members of the parish quickly embraced us and, in essence, became our new family. Over the past 40 years our parish has grown, and with growth it is difficult to maintain that small-town feeling of family. That being said, I have seen so many true acts of kindness when need, accidents, illness or death have occurred in our parish.

Last night I attended Mass as usual. Prior to the start of Mass it was announced that one of our long-standing parishioners was in hospice care at our local hospital. John had never married and was an only child; he had no family. During the past 18 months he was physically unable to be very active in the parish, though he often was driven to daily Mass at his request by one or another of the many parishioners who also assisted him with rides for treatments, etc. 

The request at Mass was for individuals to sign up to sit with John as he completed his earthly journey. Following Mass, I watched as so many parishioners signed up. Some knew John well, but many did not, although they did know the Lord’s instruction to “love one another,” and they acted on it. This was the most striking example of mercy I have ever witnessed; so many were willing to give. Last night’s experience is one I will not soon forget. 

John died early this morning. Although many volunteers didn’t get a chance to be with him physically, their goodness and mercy surrounded him. John was not alone at his moment of death, and he will long be remembered. So will the mercy shown to him by the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.