We all have people in our lives that influence us in some profound way. For some it could be a parent, grandparent, cousin, aunt or uncle, while for others it could be a teacher, coach or pastor. One person who had one of the biggest impact on me and my family was our pastor, Father Philip Salmonowicz. He left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered, which I didn't fully realize until I found out he had been diagnosed with a late stage aggressive form of lung cancer.
Last year, while I was home for Thanksgiving break, my parents broke the news to me that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Of course I was devastated, but I knew that he would honor God until he took his last breath. As time went on and his condition got worse, the people of our parish came together to keep it running, to let him rest and his family take care of him.
While I was home for the summer, it seemed like his condition was getting a little better, but unbeknownst to me, in his last couple weeks, his condition really took a turn for the worst. When I found out he had died, I was sad, but also happy knowing he didn't have to suffer anymore and was with his Savior. Over this time, just reflecting on the impact he made on so many, was really comforting.
Because he was able to pass peacefully at home, while I was home for the summer, I was able to attend his funeral. It was a beautiful service, that he was able to pick out the readings for. The number of people and other priests that attended was staggering, showing just how big of an impact he had on everyone he met. We go to a really big parish, and it was packed, with close to 40 priests attending, as well.
He had a huge impact on so many with all the programs that he brought to us, from a men's group, a mom's group, online curriculum, strengthened the youth group to being so open to life and families. I remember reading on my high school youth minister's Facebook page just how big of an impact he had on her by allowing her to bring her children in to work with her when they were little and be able to spend the critical time with them, but also being able to get work done.
I also remember my mom telling me, as I was getting ready to leave for his funeral, that he had impacted my dad in a really profound way. She told me that growing up, my dad and his family weren't really into their faith very much, so he was never Confirmed. When my parents got together, his mom told my mom that it was now her job to get this accomplished, and she did. Since then, though, he was pretty lukewarm in his faith, but when this priest brought the That Man is You program to us, he started attending. The program is based on a discussion some working men had about what exactly makes a good father, husband, and man. They couldn't agree on something until someone mentioned the 10 Commandments, and so they met regularly to discuss how evaluating what the Commandments say to their lives to make them better. And so the program was born, the men who partake watch the videos and then discuss them. Since this program started, I have seen a big difference in my dad in deepening his faith and commitment to his family.
I'm so glad that I was able to have him as my parish priest, because of the impact he had on me, and that I was home for his funeral. Even though he's gone now, I can still feel and experience the impact he had on my life and on the entire parish with all the faith programs he implemented.
