STEADFAST AND RELIABLE

On Wednesday, January 26th at 10:30 A.M. we celebrated the passing into eternal life of our beloved parishioner, inspirer and friend, Edie Coogan. As mentioned in Msgr. Tim’s homily, he feels “certain that right next to Jack Coogan at the Pearly Gates stood Father Bill O’Brien, former pastor of St. Michael’s, . . . only recently arrived himself, both he and Jack smiling broadly as Edie approached to take her place in our Father’s house where everyone finds room and a joyous welcome.”

Below is the video of Msgr. Tim’s homily that touches on many of the ways we have learned to be faithful parishioners and disciples of Jesus from what we were privileges to observe in the dedicated guidance and servicing offered to us, here at St. Michael’s, and which extended far beyond the boundaries of our parish.

“. . . How often Edie assisted in the preparation of these rights for families suffering the death of a loved one, sympathizing with them with sincere compassion. Now we offer these same rights for Edie with deep appreciation for the ways she touched all our lives in different ways but with the same spirit of honesty. Even when there might have been a decided difference of opinion over something Edie felt was crystal clear. And usually she was right.

“As a lector Edie stood where I stand, proclaiming God’s Word in the Scriptures, always having prepared carefully and anxious to be heard accurately because it is important that we hear that Word in its fullness. How often she assisted as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, feeding people with the nourishment she knew was essential for living the Christian life, the nourishment is the very substance of sacrificial love such as Saint Paul described in that second reading, sustaining our capacity for the works of justice and charity. Edie was all in. In whatever she did, with family, of course, in the myriad activities that comprise a busy family life, but she and Jack partnered together and were good examples of how the exclusive relationship of marriage and the priority of family responsibilities don’t have to mean exclusion of other people or interests. Indeed, they knew how to include others and how to expand the circle of family. This parish was a major beneficiary of this spirit as Edie, both with Jack and on her own, in those activities that she prized, quickly volunteered and followed through with a range of commitments that seemed to flow naturally from her core. I came to realize that no matter what was going on here, Edie was more than likely going to show up, ready to participate and often to take the lead in parish ministries that she considered valuable, not a distraction from her life, but a way of expressing her wide array of concerns and wanting to do something positive. For decades Edie, much of them with Jack alongside her, has been a constant presence in both senses of that word, constant frequently, and constant steadfast and reliable. “

“Edie devoted so much of her energy to “the great third passion the Edie’s life, after Jack or her children grandchildren and great grandchildren, her siblings and their children. That third passion was Raphael’s Life House which in 1993 she co-founded with Mary Orrico and enlisted the help of numerous parishioners to create and support with their time talent and treasure that wonderful expression of service of the Gospel of Life. Saint Michael’s parish is proud that two of our members galvanized dozens of others in amber the sharing and guiding hands and hearts of Raphael’s Life House. I acknowledge publicly my admiration for Edie’s role in making Raphael’s Life House a reality. What a wonderful legacy Edie leaves this community of believers. Edie saw her parish activity as a family of which she was a co-responsible member. it wasn’t enough to come faithfully on Sunday. That is a minimum responsibility. Integrating home, family and parish family was how she and Jack saw their duty. That explains the presence of so many here this morning. It’s a member of our family who always treated us as her family who is now gone to her reward.

“Edie set a high standard for parish membership. Although she brought to it her unique talents and uncommon energy. She would tell us that it wasn’t hard. All of us can do it, integrate personal and home life with parish life, with the right spirit and understanding. That is why Edie was interested in welcoming and encouraging new parishioners, especially the young, anyone new to Saint Michael’s family.”

How blessed we are to have had the opportunity to watch Edie and Jack in action and to enjoy the fruits of their work.

Listen to Msgr. Tim’s homily:

Click here for the obituary or to read and/or leave Guestbook messages.