The Catholic Spirit - August 14, 2014

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Mary’s Place expansion 4A • Border children 16A • Leading With Faith B section August 14, 2014 Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

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A SALUTE TO OFFICER SCOTT PATRICK

St. Thomas Academy Cadets line up and salute as the hearse containing the body of Officer Scott Patrick passes by the Mendota Heights school Aug. 6 following the funeral. Officer Patrick was shot and killed during a traffic stop July 30. Neighboring Convent of the Visitation School helped coordinate turnout among the schools for Officer Patrick’s procession. More than 100 Visitation students and teachers lined the route next to the St. Thomas Academy contingent. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Deacon John Vomastek: “Much has been said about the law enforcement community being a tight-knit family, and I would say that this is very true. You [saw] people, officers coming from all over the country to this funeral to pay their respects and to be together in this difficult time. I can’t help but remember when I was riding in the motorcade for the [St. Paul police officer] Ron Ryan Jr. funeral and the Tim Jones funeral [in 1994], the outpouring of community love and support that was shown to all of us. Simply, I was blown away. Young and old, they lined the route, waving flags, saluting, crying.

It has been that way in those law enforcement funerals that would come after those as well. The community will be just as affected as the law enforcement family with this loss. There really are no words to describe what has happened. I can only think of the battle that is taking place, that of good against evil. Police officers fight that battle every day. Police officers bring light into the darkness, order into chaos, care and service to those that can’t help themselves. They go into the void that we cannot, and their families support them as they go out the door, always with the risk of making what is termed the ‘ultimate sacrifice.’

Christ, too, made that sacrifice, and I can’t help but believe that to enter into his sacrifice, there is hope and healing. Today and the days to come will be tough days for our community, but we must gaze on the face of Christ. And as we live the paschal mystery, we know there will be a resurrection.” Deacon Vomastek, director of the Office of Clergy Services for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, served on the St. Paul police force from March 1978 to August 2011. Please turn to REFLECTIONS on page 8A

ALSO inside

Latino Family Day

Lessons on leadership

Top model to role model

Hundreds gather at Como Park for third annual celebration. — Page 7A

High school sports captains hear from star athletes at local summit. — Page 9A

Leah Darrow departs from reality TV to fully return to the faith. — Page 10A


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