Saying Goodbye

A monk I studied with at St. Vincent, who is from St. Andrew’s Abbey (Cleveland), left me a voice message last night notifying me that Fr. Bill Wiethorn passed away.  Fr. Bill was a friend of mine and was a Capuchin priest whom I met in February 2004 when I was in seminary.  It was around that time that I began discerning religious life, and visiting with him and experiencing his joyful demeanor was a great blessing.  He encouraged and support my early inklings toward religious life.  He invited me to visit him in Washington, D.C.

Eventually, I was able to visit the Capuchins in D.C. in 2005 when we stayed we stayed with the community during the March for Life.  It was a great community, but God had other plans for me.

Below:  Pictures from the March for Life 2005 (yes, I keep almost everything)

Above:  That’s Fr. Xavier Nacke on the left, all bundled up.

When I made solemn vows in 2009 and was sent off to finish my Theology training in preparation for the priesthood, I attended school at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.  I quickly heard from another Capuchin that Fr. Bill was nearby in Cleveland.  I was able to visit him for Fall break 2009.  He was gracious as ever.  He was proud that I had entered religious life, even if it was the Benedictines and not the Capuchins.

Below:  Here we are donning competing habits!

We were able to get together one more time.  It was October 2010, Fall Break again.  It was a cool day and we went to Lake Erie and I was trying out my new Canon Rebel XS camera.  Here are a couple of the pictures that I snapped that day.  He was the only man brave enough to wear a Steelers jacket in Cleveland.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Read the full obituary on the Capuchin website

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