I've been heavy of heart the past couple of days as I watch the reports of your failing health.  I've been sitting here watching the link on Yahoo.com,  feeling like I am standing there in the courtyard at the Vatican waiting for news of your departure from this vail of tears. 

Then I remembered.  I remembered when you were shot back in the 80's.  I was a bitterly anti-Catholic protestant and saw you as the anti-Christ.  I remember rolling my eyes and mocking all the fuss people made over you.  I figured that one less Catholic priest was a good thing.  Lord have mercy on my ignorant and hateful heart.

Now, after four years as a Catholic, I have come to love you as a father and a shepherd of God's Holy Catholic Church.  I am so grateful for all the many things you taught us.  We will be generations unpacking the riches of your writings.  I thank you for standing against contraception and abortion in a world where that makes us very unpopular.  I thank you for the Mysteries of Light that help us walk with Christ and live the gospel.  I thank you for this Year of the Eucharist.  Most of all, I thank you for reaching the heart of my daughter, Kimberly, and helping her come home to the Catholic faith. 

I know, if I could ask you in person, you would forgive my hardness of heart years ago; but how I wish I could have asked you in person.  I wish I could have looked into your eyes and told you how grateful I am to be Catholic and to have you as my Papa.

The time of your departure has come.  Your life has been poured out for the sake of Christ as very few lives have been.  May Our Mother Mary wrap you in her mantle and bear you to her Divine Son.  We love you, Papa.