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The lights were low in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s.
The room was illuminated slightly by people holding slim candles. A muffled sob was heard occasionally.
Heads were bowed. The mood was somber.
Yet, Father Donald Roszkowski fought hard to bring a sense of hope to the room.
Those there needed that. They were attending a prayer vigil for Noah Johnson, a Metamora High School student who took his life. It was Dec. 6, the day after those gathered learned of Johnson’s death.
The people in the church seemed to still be in shock.
Roszkowski had the unenviable task of bringing hope and sense to the situation. He was, it turned out, up to the task.
“Conflicting emotions fill our hearts. It’s going to take time,” the priest said.
Now, he told those gathered, is the time to turn to God for strength and hope.
MTHS Superintendent Randy Toepke sat near the back of the sanctuary. He said, earlier in the day, the students were grief-striken. That grief showed.
Though Roszkowski is soft-spoken his words carried power.
He was direct.
Roszkowski said some might harbor anger toward God or Johnson. He did not condemn those feelings. Instead, he said, whether we see it or not God is at work in our lives.
Roszkowski said when he was at MTHS the day before counseling students he heard a constant refrain that Johnson was a good kid. The priest said he did not doubt that.
“We judge people by what they do,” Roszkowski said.
It would be a mistake to judge Johnson by this last action, the priest said.
“Obviously he had some kind of darkness in him ... Perhaps he didn’t think God would come to help him with this,” Roszkowski said.
“There is hope. There are people God puts in our lives to help us.”
Roszkowski then invoked the story of St. Peter walking on the water as directed by Jesus. Peter did as he was told.
“As long as he kept his eyes on the Lord he could do the impossible,” Roszkowski said.
The lesson, Roszkowski said, is that no matter what one faces the Lord is there to pull us out. He went on to say the Devil prowls like a lion waiting to devour.
“He goes after the weak,” Roszkowski said.
To defeat him, Roszkowski said, seek peace and strength.
“(Noah) made a horrible choice. It’s not good to take your life. But, it’s important to realize we don’t know what state he was in,” Roszkowski said.
The lights were low in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s.
The room was illuminated slightly by people holding slim candles. A muffled sob was heard occasionally.
Heads were bowed. The mood was somber.
Yet, Father Donald Roszkowski fought hard to bring a sense of hope to the room.
Those there needed that. They were attending a prayer vigil for Noah Johnson, a Metamora High School student who took his life. It was Dec. 6, the day after those gathered learned of Johnson’s death.
The people in the church seemed to still be in shock.
Roszkowski had the unenviable task of bringing hope and sense to the situation. He was, it turned out, up to the task.
“Conflicting emotions fill our hearts. It’s going to take time,” the priest said.
Now, he told those gathered, is the time to turn to God for strength and hope.
MTHS Superintendent Randy Toepke sat near the back of the sanctuary. He said, earlier in the day, the students were grief-striken. That grief showed.
Though Roszkowski is soft-spoken his words carried power.
He was direct.
Roszkowski said some might harbor anger toward God or Johnson. He did not condemn those feelings. Instead, he said, whether we see it or not God is at work in our lives.
Roszkowski said when he was at MTHS the day before counseling students he heard a constant refrain that Johnson was a good kid. The priest said he did not doubt that.
“We judge people by what they do,” Roszkowski said.
It would be a mistake to judge Johnson by this last action, the priest said.
“Obviously he had some kind of darkness in him ... Perhaps he didn’t think God would come to help him with this,” Roszkowski said.
“There is hope. There are people God puts in our lives to help us.”
Roszkowski then invoked the story of St. Peter walking on the water as directed by Jesus. Peter did as he was told.
“As long as he kept his eyes on the Lord he could do the impossible,” Roszkowski said.
The lesson, Roszkowski said, is that no matter what one faces the Lord is there to pull us out. He went on to say the Devil prowls like a lion waiting to devour.
“He goes after the weak,” Roszkowski said.
To defeat him, Roszkowski said, seek peace and strength.
“(Noah) made a horrible choice. It’s not good to take your life. But, it’s important to realize we don’t know what state he was in,” Roszkowski said.
“Perhaps he was struggling so much he couldn’t make a good decision ... Ask the Lord, plead with the Lord that he be merciful with Noah ... Trust in the Lord.”
One does not have to be religious or even believe in God to find wisdom in Roszkowski’s words. His words about not being judgemental and seeking solace from others when hurting is an important message.
I print Roszkowski’s words in the hope his message hits home with youth who are hurting.
Too many Tri-County families in recent years have had suicide erupt suddenly into their lives.
Roszkowski said many religious scholars believe at judgement God asks three questions. All three are “Do you love me?”
“Even then God gives us a chance,” Roszkowski said.
Roszkowski advised those gathered to take time to realize how full of joy and opportunity our lives can be.
“How lucky Noah is to have all of you here to pray for him,” Roszkowski said. “So many in the world have no one to pray for them.”
Amen.
