While I was at Sunday Mass with The Ohio Cosgriffs in Newark this past weekend an unfortunate thing happened. The Deacon, Deacon Patrick to be specific, had a seizure while delivering the homily. He had turned towards the altar while preaching, yet when he turned back to the congregation his face went blank. Deacon Patrick stood in the pulpit staring into the distance until a Medical doctor attending Mass went to check on him, along with the priest who sat nearby and a couple other congregants. They led him gently from the altar and through a side exit. Within minutes an ambulance was heard, taking the Deacon to emergency.
It turns out that the poor man had a history of seizures. While I don't know his current status it appears a safe presumption that he's okay. Yet at the time, the unknowing congregation sat stunned. Within a few moments of silence my daughter-in-law Tarina began out loud, "Hail Mary, full of grace..." The rest of us soon joined in, as Tarina led us in three Hail Mary prayers and one Glory Be. Most everyone it seemed joined in the prayers. It gave us a chance to express our feelings, and the priest a moment to gather himself before continuing the Mass.
I told her afterwards that it was a beautiful thing for her to do. She shrugged it off as just something she felt needed doing. But I am very proud of her.
Posts
