A GREAT FRIEND

      We are all too often touched by the experience of death in our lives, especially as we grow older.  

    I would like to mention the death of a very good friend from Masontown, who I have known since my arrival there as pastor at All Saints in October of 1986.  Her name is Donna Jean Parish.  Donna died on May 18th after a very long and courageous battle with cancer.

    Donna was loved and supported by and, as he told me yesterday, a blessing to her husband and best friend, George.  Their son, George and his wife Sarah, and their children Levi and Andrew were the joy of Donna's heart.

    Donna taught kindergarten at All Saints School for 26 years, touching a generation of lives with her faith, goodness and love.  Her funeral Mass was today.  How can I remember and honor her?  I think that I have found a way, with the help of one her former students, Drew Colebank, who wrote what follows below about this good woman.  I share his words, which her son, George, posted on facebook.  Thanks Drew.

From Drew Colebank regarding Donna Parish

How do you measure the life of a woman?  In the love she shared from her heart!

Did she leave the world better than she found?  A woman who taught a generation to keep the faith, always hope, and abide in love.

She taught a generation to care for each other, even in a careless world of bigotry.  She taught a generation to give to each other, even in a selfish world of vanity.  She taught a generation to seek peace, even in a violent world of hate.

 She comforted us as kindergarten children on the day the world stood still, 9/11 a day of crisis, while the world is in crisis still in senseless conflict and painful pandemic.

Is the world any better?  Absolutely!

It was not, is not, and will not be the same without this loving little servant who made an everlasting impact on the Kingdom of her God, a true saint of Christ.  She fought the good fight, a battle won!

"Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful over a few things.  I will make you a ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your Lord."  (Matthew 25:11)

Thanks, Drew ... and most especially - Thanks, Donna.  She now Rests in Peace.  I am blessed to call her a friend.