Dear Freinds,
I write this with a heavy heart at the loss of our dear friend, guide and mentor. The architect and foundation of the saga of San Francisco-Miao relationship and the formation, growth and survival of CMF.
Ten years of acquaintance with Archbishop George Niederauer has taught me a lot. The CMF and its achievements, the bond between the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the diocese of Miao, surely are achievements. There can be differences of opinion and point of view about these. And we respect them. But my personal experience and feelings are far beyond these.
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I was blessed to have some quality time with him when he was still the Archbishop and I stayed in the Archbishop’s house during my visits. From our first meeting we developed a bond, not only because we both George as our names but also because we believed in the same Gospel of love, compassion and as Pope Francis puts it so well and convincingly in later years, “going out”.
We have informed all our Parishes to pray for him. I have had a Mass said for him. Saturday, 6th May we will have special prayers for him in our adoration chapel and on 11th we hope to have a common Mass said for him.
Judging from the life he led, it is not he who needs our prayers any more, but we who live in this world. With St. Paul he can surely say “I have run the race”. May His soul rest in peace. At one or two moments a question came to me, “now that he is gone, who will help the CMF?” The answer too was instantaneous, what we say at the preface of the Mass for the dead “Lord for your your faithful people, life is not ended but changed”. May he continue to guide us, not in a frail body but in the Spirit of the Risen Lord.
Be sure of my prayers for you all. Please do continue to pray for me and for the diocese here.
In the Lord of life and death,
+George Pallipparambil sdb
