When I was doing my field ed at a parish near my seminary, we were preparing for a funeral one day. I recall asking the two priests, “when do you get to grieve?” They both sort of chucked and said “we don’t”.
I found that to be a disappointing response. True, as the spiritual leaders, as the ones who need to help a family through the death of a loved one, make plans, officiate the service, all those things and more, we do need to be the rock that holds things together for them. But certainly we also can and should grieve the death of someone we too loved.
Today is one of those days. We’ve had too many of them this year at St. Simon’s.
So I snuck off for a bit 
to sit and pray and remember. And yes, to grieve. Knowing how much the one who has died loved our church and this holy space helped a lot.
May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
I didn’t know David very well, but what I do know with a fair degree of certainty is he would advise you–and the rest of us–to “slow down” and spend time with our Creator.
Der Fr. David — So good to hear from you. I’m tuning in!
DorseySalerno
Thank you for sharing what’s in your heart, Fr David. My heart is filled with emotion because we have lost so many St Simon’s friends since I moved away, and I’m not there to share our sadness. But YOU are there, a great spiritual guide.
I would think that in ministering to so many hurting people, it would be tempting to develop callouses to shield your own pain. But instead, you have chosen vulnerability. Thank you for that choice.
Thank you for sharing this! Can’t imagine how hard your job can be. We are so grateful to have you to lead our parish through these tough days!
I cannot presume to think of standing in your shoes, but I understand our humanity and the need to grieve our Earthly losses, whether we are priest or parishioner. I just hope he felt how much he was loved by so many.