"May her soul..."

Yesterday I traveled to Berlin, NH for the funeral of Lucille Montminy.  Mrs. Montminy was the mother of Fathers Marc and Paul Montminy and the brother of Father Roland Blais.  Father Marc was the long-time pastor of Ste. Marie's Parish in Manchester and is now the pastor of Saint Michael's Parish in Exeter.  Father Paul is the pastor of Saint Catherine's Parish in Manchester and Father Blais is retired.  There were dozens of priests in attendance as well as four bishops - Bishops Libsci, Christian, McCormack, and Hennessey (an auxiliary bishop of Boston who is good friends with the Montminy's).    Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB from Saint Anselm Abbey was also there.

The funeral Mass was held at St. Anne's Church.  It was my first time at this church and it is stunning (click here for a postcard image of the interior).  I believe it was built over 100 years ago and Mrs. Montminy was baptized there in 1917.  Father Paul celebrated the Mass and Father Marc preached a beautiful homily.  He joked that he couldn't believe his mother would die during Holy Week, the busiest time of the year!  But he found comfort and solace in the many liturgies during that week and saw his mother in many of them.

Following Mass there was a nice reception next door in the church hall.

It was a wonderful sendoff in a wonderful setting amongst wonderful people.  I don't believe I've ever been to Berlin before (I may have driven though once).  The city has seen better days and its population has aged and decreased unfortunately.  It's an old mill town and there is some sort of plant across the street from the church as well as two prisons so there are some employment opportunities.  I hit a major snowstorm a little after Franconia Notch and stopped at a gas station in Twin Mountain where I spun in a circle after pulling to the parking lot!  I briefly considered turning around but I was only 30 miles away and by the time I got back into my car the snow was letting up and within 5 minutes the sun was out and the sky was blue.  I enjoyed having the time to myself going up there and back.  My family vacationed every summer in Twin Mountain and went to Santa's Village and Story Land so I know the area well (my wife and I take our children there now too).  It was nice to be there in the winter and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.