No op-ed today. No Rumination. No exegesis upon matters sacred or profane. Today is a day to mourn.
Yesterday afternoon, the Reverend Charles Papa, Pastor Emeritus of St. Louis de Montfort parish in Sound Beach, NY, was found dead in his room, shortly before he was scheduled to celebrate Mass.
Father Charlie, as we all knew him, was the Pastor at St. Louis for seventeen years. He’d retired from the pastorate only a few months ago, and was hugely enjoying “just being a priest again.” Sadly, he was granted only a short while to enjoy having shed that burden. The parish was unanimous in its love of him. We will miss him terribly.
No matter who might come to him, Father Charlie was whatever he needed: a confessor, a friend, a counselor, a confidant, a Dutch uncle, or what have you. His good humor was invincible. He’d happily share anything with anyone, whether it be one’s darkest fears and deepest doubts or a mildly irreverent jest.
Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
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