I would like to express my appreciation to the parishioners who helped organize a mini-pilgrimage to attend the Funeral Mass of our Founding Pastor Father Peter Alliata earlier this week. On an early, sunny morning, we boarded a school bus: we were 23 parishioners, including Deacon Bill and myself. Many of us had not been on a school bus for years! We prayed the Rosary. We also shared stories about Fr. Alliata who had led the first seven years of our parish: 1980-1987. It was a powerful and memorable experience. We arrived early so we could participate in the viewing and say goodbye individually to Fr. Alliata and pray for the repose of his soul.

The Funeral Mass led by Cardinal Gregory was both spiritual and simple. The homily by his close friend Fr. Peter Daly, the former pastor of St John Vianney where he had stayed in retirement, covered the entire life of Fr. Alliata, including the hardships of his youth, his founding of our Lady Help of Christians and his love of the several communities he served during his 60 years of priesthood.

Deacon Bill served as Deacon of the Eucharist. He had been at the altar with Fr. Alliata as a young boy. Here he was at the altar with the Cardinal, assisting at the funeral Mass of Fr. Alliata. Fr. Anthony Lickteig, Vicar for Clergy, was also at the altar as concelebrant. Many of you remember him for the two Summer months he served with great love at our parish when Fr. Crowley, our third pastor, was sick.

It was hard for Fr. Alliata to leave our parish after seven long and most fruitful years. His goodbye letter to our parish " SINCE IT MUST BE SO" was included in the Vigil Mass program. As we say goodbye to him this week, I invite all of you to reflect on his own goodbye to us 35 years ago:

"In her beautiful little book, North to the Orient, Anne Morrow Lindbergh tells of her experience of saying farewell after she and her husband had flown a pioneer air route--the great circle route to the Far East. Can you really put into words anything appropriate about a parting that will change "the way we were". She considered "Auf Wiedersehen "and "Au revoir" -- "till we meet again" -- as evading the issue. "Farewell" looks ahead, not right now. "Goodbye" and "Adios" -- "God be with you" --lets God take care of it. The last greeting she heard before the return home was the Japanese "Sayonara". According to Anne Morrow Lindbergh, "Sayonara" says neither too much nor too little. It is a simple acceptance of fact. An understanding of life lies in its limits."Sayonara," literally translated means, "Since it must be so."

Since it must be so, I feel free now to accept the blessing of "the way we were". It really is "the family of families", sharing all the joys and sorrows, the fun and the frustration, the hopes and the fears. It's easy enough to say "we are the church, we are the Body of Christ." It's another thing to try to live it with all the richness possible. We've gotten into that, you and I, for seven years. It cannot be packaged, programmed, or even described to make another say, "I get it." It can only be lived and shared, and then never lost. It becomes part of one. There will be opportunities to auf wiedersehen each other— the dedication of the new Church Center in the near future— parties, etc. We have that to look forward to. But now— since it must be so— I say as did St. Paul, so often in writing to his beloved communities— “I hold you in my heart.”

Father Peter Alliata

Let us pray:
Lord, You gave Peter, Your servant and priest, the privilege of a holy ministry in this world. May he rejoice forever in the glory of Your Kingdom. We ask this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever, Amen

One in Christ,

Father Alain