Letter to the people of Seneca

The gospel reading for this past Sunday brought to mind the senseless killing of Father Arul Carasala just a few days earlier. As I reflected on this gospel, I wondered why the people of Sts. Peter and Paul in Seneca didn’t pick up stones and head to the police station where Father Arul’s murderer was being held. But I grew up in Seneca and knew this is not the way the people of this community usually respond even though their pain and shock must have been mixed with anger for this man who had killed their beloved pastor and friend. 

Shortly before going to chapel here at the Mount in Atchison for our Eucharist on Sunday morning, I read the following message which was being shared on Facebook by some of the people of Seneca to the Hermesch family:

“We weep with you! We love you ALL! Know that you are in our hearts and prayers and we care deeply for you! We are GLAD to call you fellow Nemaha County folks! We pray for Gary Hermesch in jail. We pray that he can see and feel God’s wonderful LOVE and be forever changed. We pray for mental stability and for him to get the help that he desperately needs. Hermesch family, walk with your heads held high. You are treasured and loved by the KING of KINGS!”

As I listened to the gospel at mass on Sunday morning, I could not help but replace the face of the woman caught in adultery with the face of Gary Hermesch and place myself in the crowd. Was there a stone in my hand, ready to be thrown?  

Parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul, what was your response to this senseless act? You gathered in church that very evening and raised your voices in song to the words “how great thou art!” You gathered and hugged one another; no doubt among you were members of the Hermesch family, giving and receiving hugs. You knew in your hearts the message of this gospel; it oozed out of your very being before you even heard the words proclaimed on Sunday morning. 

Thank you, people of Seneca, for your strong faith and your compassionate care for one another! You truly live out the message of Christ and the example of Father Arul in your lives. I have no doubt that Father Arul, along with his Heavenly Father, is smiling down upon you. 

You are in the prayers of all the sisters at the Mount!