Sunday, April 11, 1999'When God calls, we must go'
Good Shepherd mourns parishioners
BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati EnquirerThose seeking spiritual solace in the wake of Friday's deadly tornado pondered Father William Reichel's words:
“The question comes up, "Why did God permit this?'”
The priest was addressing parishioners who gathered in Montgomery for the regular 4:30 p.m. Mass Saturday at Good Shepherd Church, which was offered in memory of Lee and Jacqueline Cook, parishioners killed in Friday's storm.
While the answer was not made clear during Father Rei chel's homily, a prayer offered later in the Mass attempted to make sense of the chaos: “May we understand that God's ways are not always our way.”
Parishioners also prayed for the surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Cook. The couple will be memorialized in a Mass of Christian burial mid-week; details were still being worked out.
Father Reichel told the 500 worshipers, about half the number normally gathered for the Saturday late afternoon Mass, to remember what's important when tragedy strikes.
“The bottom line: Things can be replaced, but life comes to an end,” he said. “When God calls, we must go.”
Father Reichel said this is a time for healing and prayer for this parish of 12,000 members — 4,000 families — who have lost two members of their family.
“When two people die in our family, it takes a little piece away,” he said.
The Cooks' death comes at a time when the Catholic Church remembers the Resurrection of Christ. Such symbols of new life adorned the altar at Saturday's Mass, including Easter flowers and a lighted Easter candle.
The church is asking for volunteers, and for people to notify the church of anyone in need of help.
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Pinpointing the damage in the Tristate
Homeowners sort out emotions, scattered memories
Where to donate, where to get help
Orphaned dog has broken pelvis, heart
Devoted pair died together
'When God calls, we must go'
Sirens not designed to penetrate buildings
Did you hear the sirens?
New home, owners spared
Utility crews, municipal workers out in force
Volunteers offer goods, hands, time
Mother Nature's worst brings out the best in human nature
Church members shed tears, give thanks
Hoosiers pitch in to help neighbors
Insurance adjusters bring checks, reassuring words
Warren County took blow, too
One year later, Alabama tornado victims still rebuilding
Coping with the storm
Coping with the storm: Returning to your home
