Father Stan Brennan, the founder of St. Francis Care Center, died last Friday. This week there are many preparations being made for the funeral which will be on Thursday. Over 1000 people are expected at the funeral. And the St. Francis Center is preparing for the event. I wonder if this will be the most people here on any one occasion.
The hall that is used for Sunday Mass is being cleaned thoroughly. Yesterday the pictures were taken down and the walls scrubbed. Also the 400 or so chairs were cleaned and set up again. The extra space at the back of the hall which usually holds extra equipment for the Care Center was cleared out. Today more chairs are to be brought in for the Mass on Thursday. And plans for parking the many cars expected are being discussed.
But it is not just rearranging that is happening. Yesterday about 7 PM we heard someone calling Tim and I as we were watching the news on TV. Father Stan's secretary was outside to tell us that prayers were going to be started in the Center chapel as soon as we could join the people there. And we did gather with a good number of the regular church attendees for prayers and songs. Afterwards plans were made for food to be brought and shared for the all night vigil before the funeral as well as a meal after the funeral. People arranged for further cleaning help to come on Tuesday in the day. And another prayer service was planned for Tuesday evening, as we all need "divine guidance during this week" explained Father's secretary.
I think it is wonderful that this reliance on prayer is such an integral part of the happenings with these wonderful people. There is sadness at the passing of Father Stan. But the cohesion and cooperation of this group of people is a wonderful testimony to the love he showed to so many.
