Losses ... and prayers

    Although I missed yesterday's post, there were many on my heart and mind.  I would like to share them with you.  They have been called home to the Lord, and I ask for your prayers and remembrance.

     A few days ago I asked for your prayers for Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, who was gravely ill.  He died late Wednesday evening in Baltimore.  He served the Church in this nation for a number of years and brought a grace and smile to Church and State alike.  Those who encountered him say he was a man of personal charm and great wisdom.  Pray for the repose of his soul.  I noticed that a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on August 6th, which will be televised on EWTN.

     Today I am at the funeral of Louise Zaccagnini of Export, PA, the mother of one of our priests - Father Ken Zaccagnini.  Mrs. Zaccagnini was 78 and had suffered in the past few years in a battle with cancer.  Father Ken and his brother Joe benefited from the deep faith and strong love of Louise and their Dad, Joe.  Father Ken is a good friend and a great priest, and as is our custom, I am sure that many of his brothers will join him in praying for his Mom at her funeral liturgy at Saint Mary Church.
Pray for the repose of her soul ... they say that there is something special about the mother of a priest, so I entrust her to your thoughts and prayers.

     Yesterday saw the funeral at Saint Pius X in Mount Pleasant of Sister Virginia Tortora of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception of Ivrea (in Italy).  Sister Virginia was 87, and in her 66th year of Religious Life.  The Sisters have a mission and operate a Montessori School in Mount Pleasant, of which Sister Virginia was the founding principal.  She served there from 1969 to 1999.  The Sisters, when they first came to the Diocese, served at our Minor Seminary as cooks and sacristans.  Although Sister Virginia was not one of those who was there during my High School years, I cherish the ministry of the Sisters and offer my prayers.  I ask you to join me in prayer for Sister Virginia.

     Today is the funeral for a gentleman that I did not personally know, but whose parents, the late Doctor Joseph Bucci and his mom, Ester Bucci, formerly of Scottdale, and his sister Carol of Greensburg, are great people.  His name is Robert Bucci, and he was only 57.  He was involved in the medical field, following the inspiration of his father.  His death occurred during recovery from spinal cord surgery.  God grant him peace.

     And lastly, yesterday I celebrated the funeral of a parishioner, Margaret "Peggy" Kapfer who died very unexpectedly last Saturday evening at the age of 49.  She and her husband Rob are parents of three children and several grandchildren.  She had not been ill, and her sudden death was devastating to not only family but many friends.  The turnout for her funeral Mass was wonderful, and spoke of her friendly personality and many involvements, including our Christian Mothers.  She will be deeply missed.  Pray for her and her family.

     MAY THEIR SOULS, AND THE SOULS OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, REST IN PEACE.