Editorial: A parish steps up
11/30/2011 1:44:00 PM by WNYC STAFF

The untimely passing of Williamsville North High School freshman Jamey Rodemeyer in September has been well chronicled, and the light shining on the issue of bullying remains white hot.

What should also be told as part of his story is how Jamey’s parish, SS. Peter & Paul in Williamsville, responded to this tragedy. 

Father Jerome Kopec, the pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, spent nearly three hours with the Rodemeyer family in the hospital on the day of Jamey’s death, administering the last sacraments, consoling family members, leading them in prayer, and arranging for a Crisis Services counselor to come to the hospital.  He also provided the family with a list of community resources for future counseling needs.

That was only the beginning.

Father Kopec and members of the parish staff were present for both days of the wake, and more than a dozen parish volunteers were on hand the day of the funeral to greet people, form an honor guard, and reach out to those in attendance before, during and after the Mass. His funeral homily so connected with the Rodemeyer family that they invited Father Kopec to speak the following evening at a vigil in remembrance of Jamey. 

What SS. Peter & Paul did for the Rodemeyer family is repeated almost daily in the Diocese of Buffalo, as our parishes are present to families during the most difficult times in their lives. That’s what the Catholic Church does.

There have been many anti-religious overtones in the days and weeks following Jamey’s death.
It’s important that we point out the compassion, understanding and acceptance that was shown to a family in crisis.

The Catholic Church and the other religious communities have ministered with the compassion of Jesus. It’s a lesson from which we can all learn.

SHARE TOOLS:

 

OTHER STORIES:

Rare reliquary returns to St. Joseph Cathedral

Editorial: Cherish life