"A most pure heart" - Nicholas Flowers

      On Wednesday, May 25th, I concelebrated and preached the funeral of a young man whose name is Nichols Alexander Flowers.  Nick was 19 year old.  He is the son of Mickie and Larry Flowers, the brother of Maddie, Gabbie and Noah, the grandson of my cousin Larry and his wife Joyce and the grandson of Ray, a grade school classmate and his wife Patti.

     Less than four weeks ago life was normal, but within that time Nick found he had a heart problem and underwent major surgeries before leaving us this past Friday morning.  His passing was devastating, his funeral very sad, his spirit, though, overriding all these emotions, brought a smile to so many faces and peace to so many hearts.

    Many people said many things about Nick.  His family shared that he was "the sweetest, kindest, most loving soul.  He loved his family dearly."  He never, ever, had a mean word for anyone or about anything.  "He is without a doubt the most pure hearted person that we have ever known."

    This was echoed on social media by his high school band director who posted "I witnessed one of the kindest, happiest, purest young men I have ever met."  He said of Nick "His attitude instantly filled the entirety of every space he was in until there was no room for anything else but happiness."  "He always knew what was important, and was never afraid to remind us in his own gentle but insistent way."   This teacher concluded: "I will never have another student like him and you will never have another friend like him because he is one of a kind."  A great tribute.

Nick was involved in band and the drama club at Albert Gallatin High School and was currently on the dean's list in his freshman year at Penn State.

He was a kid that "went to bed with a smile on his face and woke up the same way."  He was a young man of deep faith and infectious joy.

     One person on facebook spoke of being inspired by this family every time they came into Saint Joseph Church, filled the pew, knelt in quiet prayer before greeting those around them and praying with the parish family at liturgy.

     Nick is a gift to us.  Nick in his young life knew that God had gifted him so that he could share that giftedness with others.  And he welcomed the gift that others are into his life.  No wonder he was such a pure heart who exuded happiness.  Thank you, Nick.

    He brings his joy to the home of his heavenly Father.  Our continued prayers to his Mom and Dad, sisters and brother, family and friends.

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.