Fr. Gerry Creedon died yesterday. I was not a member of his fan club as any regular reader of this blog knows.
He doesn't need a fan club now, he needs prayer warriors. And I do try to be one of those. So I invite my readers to join me in offering Masses, rosaries, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, acts of penance, and other prayers and devotions for the repose of his soul. Eulogies are no good to him whatsoever.
May God have mercy on Fr. Creedon and on all of us and give us the grace of final repentance.
At Mass this morning, Fr. Ley told us that Fr. Creedon died "suddenly and unexpectedly." That is my worst nightmare. I hope there was a priest nearby to give him the last rites. Father mentioned that he was talking to Fr. Creedon on retreat a few weeks ago about what they both planned to do in retirement. Alas...the plans of men. "You know not the day or the hour."
ReplyDeleteFr. Ley has often said there is no one deader than a dead priest because he has no descendants to pray for him. As we approach Thanksgiving I'll be thinking and praying for all the priests who celebrated the Masses I attended, heard my confessions, gave me the sacraments, etc. Let us never forget to pray for our priests -- both the faithful and the worldly. And may God have mercy on all of us.
I also was no fan of Fr. Creedon but I felt so much sorrow last evening when I learned that he had died. He was my Pastor at St. Charles for many years and we constantly debated on Church teaching. Not a thing was ever resolved ultimately during those debates, in fact I would go away frustrated most every time. His very liberal views were offensive to me and I would often remind him that he was a Pastor to not only the "liberals" who flocked to St. Charles to hear him but to me a conservative Catholic who loves the Church. I will pray for him and credit him for making me "think" about what I truly believe.
ReplyDeleteA truly wonderful man, who will be hugely missed. Like so many other members of his family, friends, parishioners and people from far and near, I very definitely AM a member of his fan club.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Huge fan here.
DeleteA truly Christian, fair man, who was loved and respected by family, friends, parishioners and so many people from far and wide. I, like so many others, am very definitely a member of his fan club. I will always remember visiting his parish in 1985 and being so proud to see how respected he was and the positive impact he had, on so many people.
ReplyDeleteFr. Creedon lived and taught as Jesus did. Jesus was one of the controversial men who ever lived but he taught that welcoming the stranger, giving the one who asks for your shirt your coat as well, and that whatsoever we do for the least if these, we also do to Him. It is easier to think these things don’t matter but they are the things that matter most. Fr Creedon was the voice for those who had no voice.
ReplyDeleteThe "least of these", the babies in the womb weren't on Fr. Creedon's radar screen, Debbie. He could have been a voice for them; instead he was a voice for those who advocated their murder like Ted Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you fans who seem to be canonizing Fr. Creedon realize he needs prayers. I'll be offering my rosary for him in a few minutes and my Mass tomorrow. That's a lot more help to him now than useless words of praise.
Holy Masses will be offered for the repose of Father's soul. When we die, we pass from the realm of mercy to the realm of justice. A holy priest once told me that when a priest dies, his judgment is awesome. He is responsible for every soul that ever came before him. Is it any wonder that the grace of final perseverance is the "grace of graces?"
ReplyDeleteI would regard myself as being fair minded and in the middle ground. I'm certainly NOT left wing but am definitely NOT blindly right wing either. Perhaps, going out, trying to help the living and not standing in judgement over, or demonising others, would be better than reciting rosaries. He (of SHE) who caste the first stone.... To those of us who really knew and were connected with Fr. Creedon, a man who devoted his life to others, your tone is extremely offensive.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It is extremely offensive. It's sad that some feel the moral superiority to cast judgement on others.
DeleteDebbie, may God protect us all from fanatical zealots, who feel they can stand in judgement over others. How somebody can be holier than thou, castigating a man who did so much good in this world, for the underdog, yet say that, (& I quote), 'Donald Trump's sins and shortcomings appear to me to be the normal temptations of life'? This selective behaviour is hardly surprising, from a zealot. There is absolutely no point in even trying to reason with somebody like that.
ReplyDeleteI will say the very same thing about this good man today, as I would have said last week, last month, last year or any time. throughout the last 40 years I have known him. Nobody here is canonizing anyone. I have many friends with whom I do not necessarily share all the same views. Being friends with them does not make me guilty of their sins, or them guilty of any sins of mine. It is utterly offensive and extremist to be talking about 'murder' in the context of an article about this kind, considerate, peace loving man. Shame on you. I think there are many others, closer to home who might need your prayers. I'm neither a supporter of Trump nor Clinton but as you clearly support Trump, I assume that makes you guilty of all the things he has said during his lifetime? There clearly is, 'none so blind as she who will not see'. Now, kindly let the brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, friends and parishioners grieve for their huge loss, without your highly insensitive and unfair comments.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm a "fanatical zealot!" LOL! Omigosh -- and that's coming from one who is non-judgmental?
ReplyDeleteYou folks are funny. Wow, Mr. O'Donovan, you must have done some research on my blog to come up with that quote. Thanks for the compliment. And yes, being attracted to women or engaging in locker-room-TALK are normal temptations for men.
As for people "closer to home" needing my prayers -- they get them -- starting with myself. But are you seriously suggesting, Daly Ireland, that Fr. Creedon doesn't need our prayers. You are no friend of his if that's the case. I've been praying for him and asking his intercession if he's in Purgatory since the moment I heard of his death. And I have NO doubt that he is grateful for that, because as roseofsharon says, "when a priest dies, his judgment is awesome. He is responsible for every soul that ever came before him." Did Ted Kennedy benefit from all those golf games with Fr. Creedon? I hope so
You would do better to spend your time praying for Fr. Creedon rather than wasting it judging and shaming this "fanatical zealot." But go ahead. I'll offer it up for Fr. Creedon.
Absolutely no point in trying to offer an alternative viewpoint here, as Mary Ann will clearly only post the comments when she has had the opportunity to have the last say. It's called censorship. Sad really. This is my last posting here, as trying to reason with the kind of person who sees themselves on the higher moral ground, is a waste of valuable time, that could be spent on something more worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteNow you're being silly. I've posted every comment I've received with an "alternative viewpoint." Are you saying I don't have a right to comment or to disagree?
ReplyDeleteBut we do agree on one thing. It would be "more worthwhile" and a better use of "valuable time" to do a lot of other things: go adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, go to Confession, say the rosary for Fr. Creedon, play with children and grandchildren, read the lives of the saints, etc.
I pray every day for everyone who has touched my life, Daly Ireland. You have now become one of those. God bless you!
I rest my case.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I’ve seen your blog and my purpose is not to be confronting but to understand. First of all, Fr Creedon nor I support abortion. We pray for an end to abortion, all murder and violence. We believe in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Please tell me how you support the children who are born into poverty or countries that are not safe. I thank God for each of these children who are born but understand that they need medical care, food, housing and a safe place to call home. Hopefully in addition to prayer for the unborn, you are also working to support them once they are born. That is the lesson of Jesus, Pope Francis and Fr. Creedon. I am very interested in hearing how you respond to Gods call for those who need to be taken care of once they are born.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly not the kind of site I would choose to be on but only stumbled upon it, as I searched for Fr. Gerard. I fully identify with all that Debbie and Daly have said. Yes, it's a complete waste of time trying to reason with somebody who thinks that she's occupying the high moral ground by reciting rosaries and going to confession (inventions of man, not Jesus), rather than going out trying to extend the hand of peace, understanding, support and forgiveness (as we're told Jesus did). The deluded drivel I've read here, is stomach churning. I also noted that nothing is 'approved' by, guess who, Mary Ann, until such time as she rubbishes everything you say in a condescending tone. Clearly anyone who holds a different, yet valid viewpoint, is 'silly'. This is also my final post here, as I leave Mary Ann to preach to the converted, while us 'silly' heathens try somehow, to get through this life, without the benefit of her infinite words of 'wisdom'. So, Mary Ann, unfortunately, it's Adios, Arrivederci, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Ciao to your moral lectures and to you.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, your post about Father's unexpected death and a request for prayers for the repose of his soul was an act of the greatest charity. Only GOD knows where the soul is after death. When I attend funeral services, I am distressed to hear the deceased being "canonized"'by the family or cleric. If the soul is already enjoying the Beatific Vision, why pray for his /her soul? The result is that people don't,and the soul remains in Purgatory suffering incredible pain. When Padre Pio said Holy Mass, the Souls in Purgatory used to appear to him, begging his intercession. The Souls in Purgatory are powerful advocates for the living. I have received innumerable favors from, the Suffering Souls who long to see the Face of GOD.
ReplyDeleteWell, Debbie, my husband and I provided a shelter home for 15 unwed moms. I babysat for severa saved babies. I worked at a pregnancy help center where mothers could come to get diapers, formula, and clothing for children up to size 12 (years not months). I've had baby showers in my home for the moms and taken them to crisis pregnancy centers and doctors' appointments. I was a labor coach for several of them. I'm still in touch with one of the moms who lived with us several decades ago when she was eighteen. And we've been foster parents. I also have been visiting a nursing home for about fifteen years.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say I care about people from conception to natural death, I follow St. James admonition -- "Show me your faith, I'll show you my actions." But prayer is what undergirds those actions and makes them possible. Now, Debbie, I'll ask you your own question...what have you done?
As for your comments, Mr. O'Donovan, you say me calling an argument that was silly, silly, is "drivel" but you calling me names is... what, exactly?
Au revoir. I can't lie and say I'll miss you, but, I will pray for you, not because I'm on the "moral high ground" but because we are called to pray for one another. And I will continue to pray for Fr. Creedon.
As a matter of fact my husband and I are going to pray the rosary right now. I'm adding all of you to the list.
And a special thank you to you roseofsharon for your kindness.
my Husband and I have adopted 3 refugee children and 4 children from foster care. We have housed the homeless in our home and we serve meals at our area homeless shelter. I adopted mentally handicapped brother lives with us and I care for him. My mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease lived with us until her death. I do not wish to be recognized for things that I do so I will not name other things. Thank you for your service to these women and children. So often I see people who think that abortion is the ONLY issue that matters and they forget that children and their families still need support after birth as well. I pray for an end to abortion and all violence but I also support services for the poor and I worked with Fr Creedon on many of these issues. I promise he did not support abortion, either. He just understood that there are multiple issues that need addressing.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Debbie. I don't want to be recognized either, but I get a little weary of being accused of not doing anything.
ReplyDeleteAbortion may not be the only issue, but it is a fundamental one. If you aren't allowed to be born, no other social program matters. And how many millions of the innocent have been dumped in our landfills?
I'll continue to pray for Fr. Creedon. His silence on a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance and his support for liberal Democrats like Ted Kennedy spoke volumes.
I am ashamed to be an American Roman Catholic when I read the hypocrisy in this blog. I agree with Debbie, Daly, O'Donovan, and Keith. When are some of the commentators going to return to an earlier century where they can enjoy burning people at the stake?
ReplyDeleteI am always amused by comments that engage in judgmental ad hominem attacks about those who are "judgmental." Sure sounds judgmental to me! But no doubt I'm not nearly as "enlighted" as "EnlightenedRomanCatholic" or keith ricks who is obviously "morally superior" to those of us who write on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you all are praying for Fr. Creedon. Your being "huge fans" does him no good at all!
Hi all, a nephew of Fr Creedon here. I don't think my uncle would be too worried about negative comments about him on a message board in the internet. I'm sure he would appreciate all of your prayers however. Peace
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Fred. I haven't thought of your uncle for a long time although I pray every day for everyone who's touched my life which includes Fr. Creedon. I appreciate your comment and will be offering my rosary today for Father and your family.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree Fred. Your uncle would not care about the comments of others, however misguided they are. For many of us, who knew him, it was incredibly insensitive at the time. America has changed a lot since he passed away and the standing of the country that he loved, his adopted home, has taken a dramatic turn. Hopefully there are less divisive days ahead, for all.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh when I read your comment, Daly. With Democrats calling for the deprogramming and even eradication of the 74 million who voted for Trump. How exactly do you define unity and divisiveness?
ReplyDelete