Death can come upon us unaware. Fr. Michael Kelly of St. Francis de Sales in Purceville, VA was killed yesterday enroute to a funeral of a fellow priest (I presume Fr. George Griffin who died on Christmas Day. His funeral Mass was yesterday at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd in Alexandria.)
The winds were pretty violent New Year's Eve, gusting up to 50 mph. Father stopped to remove a tree from the road with the help of another motorist and was killed when a second tree fell on him.
Channel 8 covered the story.
We extend our condolences to Fr. Kelly's family and to the parishioners of St. Francis who have lost a beloved spiritual father. We urge all to pray for Father Kelly and the Diocese of Arlington which has experienced this painful loss. Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Kelly, O Lord, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
To get an idea of the good pastor Fr. Kelly was visit his parish website.
Dear Mary Ann,
ReplyDeleteHe was a good & faithful Priest!
Actually quite awesome and gifted
with warmth and genuine concern for others. He had a great sense of humor and was always a joyful giver.
He will be missed.
Thanks for asking for prayers for him!
Happy New Year!
Fr. Bill
Yesterday was still CHRISTMAS DAY... according to Our Catholic Faith...and that is the day that the most souls are delivered from Purgatory...so we can hope that even if he had to spend some time in Purgatory...he would also be released on that wonderful day...
ReplyDeleteEternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord...and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He Rest in Peace... Amen...
The fact that it was a TREE is very significant.... Jesus died on a Tree... all trees have a special function since it was a tree that made the Crib... and a tree that made the Cross and Joseph and Jesus were CARPENTERS.... It was a Tree that gave us that Holy Fault in which we needed a Redeemer.... God is a good God.... ... so many references to TREES in Holy Scripture..