Today is the feast day of two important people in my life, my cousin Cheryl Deister, and Deacon Jack Veiman.
I remember especially my cousin, Cheryl, who died unexpectedly on this day in 2018. Ruthie and I had the great pleasure of staying with Cheryl and Buster (the love of her life) in October of 2017. We had a wonderful time visiting with Cheryl and my with my cousin, Kathy, and Kathy’s husband, Frank. Our stay with Cheryl was one of the highlights of 2017 for Ruthie and I.
Cheryl’s death followed closely on the heels of my mother-in-law’s sudden death several weeks before. In the midst of grieving the death of Ruth’s mom, we found ourselves also grieving the death of my cousin.
Cheryl had never married, but she was very involved and close with Frank and Kathy, and her nephews and their families. In many ways, the role she played in their lives was very similar to that of my sister, Mary Ruth in the lives of my kids.
Much of her life was also centered on Buster, her French poodle. Ruthie and I remember Cheryl cooking meals for Buster to eat e.g. steak and all sorts of other goodies. Around a year or so after Cheryl’s death, Buster died suddenly, probably from missing his beloved Cheryl, or so I would like to think.
Cheryl was generous in all things, including the giving of herself to the needs of others. She took meticulous care of her mom, my Aunt Isabel, in my Aunt’s last years, looking after all of my Aunt’s needs medically, financially, emotionally.
In memory of my cousin, Cheryl, I composed this Mazurka (a Polish Dance) in February of 2018.
Jack and Darlene were very good mentors for me while I was in diaconal formation and as a newly ordained deacon. As it usually is when ordained, you quickly get busy with work, with ministering, and with family that it is easy to lose touch with other deacons. As busy as I have been, I have never forgotten how important certain deacon couples have been in my life. Jack and Darlene are one of the those deacon couples.
Here is a prayer that is commonly said at the funeral of a deacon. I believe it expresses well the ministry of a permanent deacon in the Church. It aptly describes the ministry of Jack and Darlene in our Archdiocese.
God of mercy,
You gave us Deacon Jack Veiman to proclaim the riches of Christ
through the Word of God
and in service to all of God’s children,
particularly to the poor, the despised, and the hopeless.
By the help of his prayers
may we grow in knowledge of you,
be eager to do good,
and learn to walk before you
by living the truth of the gospel.
Grant this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and brother,
who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
