January 16, 2012
RIP Rev'd Fr. Lawrence Kern, St. Gabriel's Greeley,CO
Fr. Lawrence Kern was an exemplary priest and friend who had spent 51 years in the service of the Lord as His priest and was an active pastor till before his death. A great inspiration for all priests who wish to follow the Lord and follow His Great Commission. The faithful of St. Gabriel's, Greeley, CO,The Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains and the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite rejoices that we have gained our beloved Fr. Kern in heaven to remember us before the throne of Almighty God. The following is a tribute from his niece, Kathleen Tuttle to the loving memory of Fr. Kern, delivered by Gary Debus at the Requiem of Fr. Lawrence Kern
Although a very private person, Lawrence was a person of many interests. He was very shy until he put his collar on and then he found his niche in life. It was his aim to be a minister from the time he was a little boy. Many of his ancestors were in the clergy or teachers. He was both.
He attended school first at Cache La Poudre school in Laporte, then attended and graduated from Eaton High School. He went to the Colorado State College of Education in Greeley to become a High school English/History teacher and graduated in 1953. He taught school in Kansas and Wyoming for three years. Then entered the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley CA with the encouragement of Dorothy Waterbus of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Fort Collins.
He was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 21, 1960 by the Right Reverend Joseph S. Minnis, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. He first served his apprenticeship in Boulder CO where he expanded his cooking abilities and housekeeping. He did counseling at Haight-Ashbury. He was assigned to Clearfield Utah where he had several churches. This experience was valuable when he served in Leadville and had the Timberline Circuit through the mountains. Here he met Gary and Joanne.
Lawrence took time to stay with his mother and father in Fort Collins while she was in ill health. During that time, he filled in and helped with churches such as Estes Park, Fort Collins, Cheyenne, and others in the state of Colorado.
He later served in Ouray where he again made many friends. He was there during the time the parish hall was rebuild to match the 19th century church. He retired from the Episcopal Church and returned to Fort Collins.
He was invited by the Bishop of the Anglican Church to serve in his Diocese. Then Father Larry returned to Ouray to serve in the Anglican Diocese. He came back to Greeley when this church was meeting in another facility. It was decided to buy this historic house and use it as St. Gabriel’s. Father served here until his death.
He was well known for helping the homeless, having his own food pantry and giving out bus tokens for United Way. People came from distant places for baptisms and marriages. There were 100 baptisms in 2009 and 210 in 2010. He was still scheduled to do several baptisms and a wedding at the time of his hospitalization.
St. Gabriel’s and service to God were his purpose in life . He often said that, “God has a purpose for me being in this church on this corner. When he is done with his work with me on Earth, he will take me.”
Father Kern was interested in genealogy and archaeology, traveling extensively in the Southwest USA as well as Mexico with his friends. His interest in genealogy resulted in the editing of two books, Ouray County Cemeteries and Delores County Cemeteries.
In Ouray he joined the Masonic Order and served as Master of the Lodge there.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harrold and Ida Kern, sister Betty (Lois Elizabeth) Watson Alvarez and grand nephew, James Sharp. Survivors include his sister, Barbara Tuttle of Fort Collins; five nieces: Vera Selland (Terry) of Loveland, Rebecca (Argus) Markle of Arkansas, Mary Beth (Bill) Akers of Arkansas, Charlotte (James) McAllister of California and Kathleen Tuttle (Greg Golovanoff) of Idaho, and a step nephew, Greg Alvarez (Mary) of CA. Great nephews and nieces [: Diana Eliason, Mike Sharp, Gayle Sharp; Charles, Jeff, Dwight, Vince, Dana (Jenkins), Jason and Jeanette (Murchinson) Markle; Terri and Lance Akers; Mike and Kim Kinzer; Cassandra (Jeff) Slota, Teresa (Kevin) Roseman, Elizabeth Golovanoff; 36 great grand nieces and nephews (8 step);] and numerous great great grand nephews and nieces.
He loved animals and had special ones in his life, his childhood collie, Frisky Patches and his cat companion of 23 years, Babe. His human friends were numerous. Of his best friends who have gone before him were, Martle Mischke, the Bruces, Fr. Bacon, and others. Some of his long time friends were David Houtz, Chita Labsack, Gary and Joanne Debus, and nephew of Martle Mischke, Paul Lewis.
We want to thank his friends and relatives who have been very helpful over the years and during his illness, especially Gary and Joanne and Teresa and Kevin Roseman. A very special thank you to the Bishop Leo and his wife and to Retired Bishop McNealy and his wife. Thank you to all who came today to celebrate the life and memory of Father Lawrence Kern.
Posted by frleo at 6:12 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2011
RIP Mrs. Madelyn McNeley
Our hearts are filled with grief at the passing away of Mrs. Madelyn McNeley. She entered into the gates of larger life on Monday January 24, 2011 A.D.
Rest eternal grant unto Mrs. Madelyn O Lord and let Light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.Mrs. Madelyn McNeley was a great and dedicated member of the Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains and a wonderful inspiration to all. A magnificent example of what all a lady could do to for the church and diocese; Sunday School Teacher, Altar Guild, Secretary to Bishop McNeley and many other duties while being an exemplary and affable spouse of Bishop McNeley.
You will be dearly missed Mrs. Madelyn but we hope to meet with you someday in heaven, joining you in singing His praise and glory.
Here is Mrs. Madelyn's most cherished of hymns from the 1940 Hymnal.
Madelyn Elizabeth McNeley, 82, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at the Mercy Health Center.
She was born May 26, 1928 in Drywood, Kan., the daughter of Ray Allison and Edna Parilee (Vassar) Picht.
She married James R. McNeley Dec. 26, 1956 in Fort Scott, Kan.
Survivors include her husband, James, of the home; two daughters, Gina (McNeley) Karleskint and husband Jack, of Fort Scott; and Mary McNeley of Grants Pass, Ore.; a sister, Maudine Picht, of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Matthew Karleskint and wife Kati (Todd), Douglas Karleskint and wife Kyla (Boots), Michael Karleskint, Aaron Stetz, Leif Stetz, and Meghan Stetz; and two great-grandchildren, Alli Karleskint, and Jadin Karleskint.
Madelyn was preceded in death by her parents.
Following cremation, Right Rev. Leo Michael will conduct the Requiem Mass 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 at the All Saints Anglican Church in Chicopee, Kan., under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints Anglican Church and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.
Online condolences may be emailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com
Click here to read the obituary from Fort Scott Tribune
Posted by frleo at 9:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 26, 2005
Memorial Day Musings
Memorial Day takes us down memory lane: invoking sad but also fond, patriotic memories of all those who laid down their lives in defending our nation. War Cemetriesand War Memorials stand to tell us of their sacrifice for us. In one of the War Memorials in Kohima, India, the inscription reads: "When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today." It is for our Tomorrow that they gave their TODAY.
What can I do TODAY for our future generation tomorrow? It is reminiscent of the words of President John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country." It is good to think what we can responsibly pass on to future generations, as we pay tribute to the memories of those who are dear to us and have gone before us. It could be faith, morals, lifestyle, values, research or anything for that matter.
Let us remember all the men and women in uniform who are placed in strategic and yet risky fronts -- that they may be protected as they continue to give their todays for our tomorrows.
Let us remember those who have gone before us -- that they may enjoy peace and eternal rest in the Lord.
Posted by frleo at 12:38 PM
April 8, 2005
Adieu Great Shepherd!
The world has lost a great spiritual leader and a shepherd. Regardless of who the local representatives of the church are, Pope John Paul II was a charismatic spiritual leader who constantly guided his flock to the heart of Christ.
As we have committed him to the earth, we pray that he will share the kingdom promised for us since the foundation of the world and the kingdom for which he tirelessly worked.
I remember his great pilgrimage to India in 1987 and my own pilgrimage to Rome and my concelebration of the Papal mass with him in November 2001. It was a privileged moment to be celebrating the Holy Eucharist with the holy man of God. For all the great memories he has left us, for all the great values he defended and stood for, we owe him a debt of gratitude.
May he rest in peace Amen.
Posted by frleo at 5:09 PM
January 4, 2005
Rest In Peace HARRIET TURNER
We commend unto God's everlasting mercy the soul of our dear departed Harriet Turner, who is fondly known as Cooky.ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO HER SOULD O LORD
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HER
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. AMEN
Posted by frleo at 9:51 PM
December 3, 2004
Fr. David Reagan Passes Away
We regret to inform you that Rev. Canon David Reagan of Castle Rock, Colorado died of brain aneurysm last night. Fr. Reagan has been a spiritual counselor and advisor to several priests including other denominations, like AMIA and our own Deanery of the Ozarks, and has visited our deanery during the ordination of Jim McTaggart to the deaconate, Fr. John Hunter's church in Pittsburgh, Kansas and Deacon Sam Seamon's parish in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Rev. Reagan has personally helped me with discussion in Anglican Tradition, constantly being the email ambassador with his Friday Phunnies and updates on Global Church happenings. He has helped in sending resource books for the library in Philippines. As Bishop Reber put it -- quoting the words of our Lord -- "He is an Israel in whom there is no guile."
We gratefully acknowledge Fr. Reagan's services to UECNA and God's kingdom and offer our heartfelt condolences to Paula Reagan and family. Let us keep them close to our heart.
Eternal Rest grant unto Fr. Reagan O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon him. May His soul rest in peace. Amen.
Posted by frleo at 2:52 PM
July 26, 2004
Peggy Swindells
Margaret Elizabeth Dutill Swindells
A loving tribute in honor of our beloved Peggy, from Walt Swindells and family and all members of St. Gabriel's:
Eternal rest grant unto Peggy
O Lord
and let Your perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
AMEN.
Our dear sister, Peggy Swindells, ascended the promised land on Sunday, July 25th, on the Feast of St. James the Apostle, just as the church bells began pealing. Peggy's funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 27th at 4:15 p.m. at Hillspeak in Eureka Springs. May I invite as many of us as possible to join in paying tribute to the soul of our dear departed. There are some senior members of the parish who cannot drive and would like a ride. If you can offer a ride, please let me know as soon as possible.
Hillspeak
805 CR 102
Eureka Springs, AR
479-253-9701
Let us keep Peggy and her family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Thank you and God Bless,
Fr. Leo
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live:
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die.
Posted by frleo at 6:49 PM
June 9, 2004
Church Bells to Ring on Friday
President Reagan's family has requested that churches throughout the nation ring their bells on Friday to coincide with the National Cathedral's bells, which will ring at the conclusion of the funeral:
The family issued a statement saying they would like churches everywhere to join in when the bells of the National Cathedral begin to toll 40 times in honor of Reagan, who was the nation's 40th president.
The cathedral bells will ring starting in the capital at approximately 1:15 p.m. EDT Friday.
Click here for a link to the article.
Out of respect for our former President and his family, St. Gabriel's will ring its bells to coincide with the National Cathedral, at approximately 12:15 CST on Friday, June 11th. We ask that you please take a moment at that time to pray for the soul of our departed President, who has joined his Father in Heaven at last.
Posted by frleo at 8:37 PM