Mobile | RSS
Newsletter signup

Letters

  • Letters to the editor
    Make tax part of citizenship pathIf our representatives in Washington, D.C.Today 3:00 am
  • Letters
    Snowden on way to going from ‘hero’ to ‘martyr’Regarding what to call Edward Snowden after his revelations about our government’s massive and secretive spying on its own citizens, I’d say it’s more than appropriate to call himWednesday
  • Web letter by Jim Lambert: Coach Riley a leader by example for two generations of student-athletes
    Just recently, we lost an excellent man and coach, David Riley.Look out, heaven, here comes an educated, well-dressed man in coaching attire with a basketball. His teams have won numerous championships:Tuesday
Advertisement
Published: March 17, 2013 3:00 a.m.

Web letter by Sister Anne, Hugh and Joan D’Arcy: Siblings overwhelmed by outpouring for Bishop D’Arcy

We wish to thank all the people in Indiana (including at The Journal Gazette) for the wonderful tribute given our brother, Bishop John D’Arcy, at his death and funeral. We always knew how much he loved Indiana, but we were not aware how much Indiana loved him.

As you know, he was home for Christmas and on Dec. 30 he went to a local hospital because he felt dizzy. It was then he found out that he had cancer that had started in the lung and spread to the brain. He stayed home for two weeks and received radiation. We saw him face death with deep faith, and we continued to pray for a miracle.

During that time, at home, he mentioned that when he died, he wanted to make sure that his body was brought to South Bend for a service so the people there would know how much he loved them. Then he said he wanted to go back to Fort Wayne and he wanted the day before the funeral to be a day for people to come to the Cathedral and pray for him.

We thought it was a nice idea but wondered: Was a whole day necessary? Who would come? We soon found out. On Feb. 7 when we went to the Cathedral, we met lines of people who came to pray for him. So many people came, both Catholic and non-Catholic. Each one seemed to have a story how he had touched their life. We think he would have loved to have been there himself. It was overwhelming for us. We wish to thank Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who approved everything so our brother had the funeral he wanted.

We also wish to thank Indiana’s NewsCenter. They aired the funeral live and suspended their noon news. Along with WANE-TV, they streamed the funeral live on their website. We were amazed at how many people in Boston and Ireland watched the service live on their computers. Thanks also to Redeemer Radio, which streamed both funeral liturgies at South Bend and Fort Wayne.

On the way back to his home on Friday after his burial in the Cathedral, we passed the Lutheran church nearest his home and saw the large sign with prayers for Bishop D’Arcy. It meant a great deal to all of us.

SISTER ANNE D’ARCY

HUGH and JOAN D’ARCY

Needham, Mass.

Share

Advertisement