Song and Procession Route

This is the song written in Father Greg's honor along with some video footage of the procession into San Lucas


http://youtu.be/7uOOmqB9y4g

Videos

A few videos have begun to be posted on YouTube, so I will try to link them here on the blog as well.
Here is Fr. Greg's reception into San Lucas

http://youtu.be/C1G0WZZl7hg

Lori's Photos

Here are my photos on my Facebook Page.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.612056478194.2068116.144301185&type=1&aft=612064112894&l=d618804038

Byron's Photos

What Byron captured is beautiful. Check out his webpage and click on "funerals"


www.byronmaldonadophotography.com

All Ends are a Beginning

We are sorry for leaving you all hanging for the last few hours. The funeral on Wednesday was obviously an incredibly packed day. And we left early Thursday morning for the airport thinking we would have time to blog while we waited for the plane. But naturally we got a flat tire on the way that put us behind schedule, so that didn't happen. (: One last treat to keep us on our toes...comes to be one of our favorite things about being there though!

The funeral was beautiful of course. I was amazed at the number of songs they sang from the CD "Liberacion"...so many of us Americans were able to sing along and participate. To number the people present for the procession into the city, funeral, procession to the cemetery, and burial, would be futile. We are guessing upwards 30-40,000 people. The Archbishop gave a beautiful homily, as did Fr Giovanni and Fr Greg Schaffer "Junior," Fr Greg's nephew who is currently serving the MN Archdiocesan mission in Venezuela. Chona was even able to say a few words, before the Archbishop had to hurry on to Guatemala City for the funeral of the Cardinal who passed away this week as well.

The procession was amazing. Somewhere around 40 blocks looping through the city before we arrived in the cemetery. We were so honored that they asked us "gringos" to take a block. They were so helpful, getting us all in line and laughing at us as we tried to figure out how to navigate the rocky landscape and turn the corner to hand Fr Greg off to the next group.

The cemetery was completely packed with people, so the police had to close it. Of course, Guatemalans are resourceful (: so we gathered in the streets in front of stores who had TV's playing the footage being recorded from inside. Many tears were shed both inside and outside the cemetery as we watched our beloved Fr Greg placed to rest in the beautiful Mausoleum with Fr Thomas Kavanaugh that the people of the Parroquia designed to look like the church of San Lucas el Evangelista. As the final brick was laid, and my heart ached at the thought that we would never see his beautiful, wood-carved resting place again, the sky broke loose and an incredible, torrential downpour sent us all fleeing for shelter. Tiendas handed out blue tarp to passersby to help us shield ourselves from the rain. I had the good fortune of being able to jump down from on top of the Mausoleum I was standing on and stand under the ledge of it. After about 45 minutes, I peeked around the corner of it, to find that a few people were holding a tarp over the mausoleum to shield the few people left in the cemetery, as well as the man sealing the mausoleum with cement.

 They smiled and waved me over and I went splashing through the giant mud puddles to safety. As we cried together, watching the last brick of the tomb sealed with cement, an immense crack of thunder echoed through the sky, and Juan, a worker at the mission standing next to me smiled and said: "Adios Padre." (: He then looked me dead in the eyes, smiled and said: "one last gift from our Padre." I asked him what he meant and he said: "the rain...the rain is MUY good for the mission, cleans the streets, helps the coffee grow, the corn grow... it's good for EVERYTHING! The rain is our last gift from Padre Greggorio." Wow.

Chona, and many, MANY of the women at the mission had been working on a meal for the many people who would be in attendence. They made Fr Greg's favorite soup. The work began days ago for this meal so that no one would be turned away. Fr Greg used to say: "Jesus NEVER turned anyone away who came to him in need." I was humbled and amazed at the fact that in our last commemoration of this man's incredible life, the people of San Lucas did that same thing. They gathered together at table, on the curbs, and in the streets around great kettles and dined together. No matter who we were, what our social standing or relationship to the mission was...we were all equals. Simple people affected in some way or another by the life of this man...but not simply what he "did." It was his Christ-like, unconditional love for all of us that united us that day.

And it will continue to unite us. Because when we love one another, that love cannot die. And so despite the end of Fr Greg's life, we know his love continues on, and is the beginning of something new.

I can't still feel it now, can't you? (:

Well done good and faithful servant, and rest in peace Padre, you deserve it! We've got it from here. (;

Lori

The power of a life

What an experience these past few days have been. Seeing the outpouring of love and sorrow for Fr. Greg has been beautiful to behold. We have heard many stories of the wonderful things that Fr. Greg did here for the development of the people of St. Lucas. One of the most touching things for me was hearing the stories of how Fr. Greg helped individual people and families with simple acts of love and kindness.
I have also been reflecting on the power of one life given over completely to God and his people. This has been an inspiration to me. We are called to be abandoned to God and his will. I will now be asking Fr. Greg to intercede for me that I may be a priest completely given over to God and his people.

Fr. Tony

Fr Greg's Sister Ann

Fr Greg fought his cancer as hard as he possibly could. When he asked me in 2010 if he could live with me while he went through all his doctor appointments. I told him, "you just gave me a purpose to go on." I had just lost my husband 4 years prior. This also gave me an opportunity to get to know the brother I never knew growing up. He was always somebody I "visited," I never really got to know him as a brother. So this gave me the opportunity to get to know my parents as a YOUNG married couple. Since I was towards the end of the line of siblings, I only knew them as "older" parents. The stories that he would tell me about mom and dad and growing up taking care of all his "kids" were incredible.

We did everything that we could to get him home. And I'm so thankful to all of those people, Arch and my brother John, who helped take him to all of his nearly daily appointments. But the last week of his life, when he fell twice at home, we had to call the ambulance to help. But that last fall was just SO hard on him. In that moment, he saw our brother Jim who had died one year ago that day. And he stopped me from helping him up and said "No, Jim will help me up." I said "Fr. Greg, Jim is in heaven." To which he replied: "oh that lucky devil."

From here started Fr. Greg's journey. The paramedics took him to the hospital, and from there the Marrian Center for Hospice Care. When Chona, Fr John, Dave, and Ana came to visit him there, he wanted nothing more than to say mass. And he did it in Spanish, so I pray he thought he was home. He hung on for a few more days after that, but when he was surrounded by loved ones saying the rosary, he opened his eyes real BIG and Fr Brian told him, "go to the bright light." In our hearts, we know that it was Mom, Dad, our brother Jim, and our sister Mary Alice who were there to greet him.

So this entire journey has been about getting him home. We tried desperately to bring him back to San Lucas so he could be home with the people he loved. But God had a different plan. I just don't know if he would've had the strength to make this last journey. But he is here where he should be now. That is what he wanted with all his heart and soul.

Goodbye my dear brother. I love you, with all my heart and soul.

Ann

Where to begin?!?  My first thought.....this is the experience of a lifetime!  But then, knowing Fr. Greg was truly the experience of a lifetime!!  And that is what is so evident here.  Yesterday it took us over three and a half hours to travel fifty miles, with estimates of fifty thousand people lining the streets.  The love was palpable...and overwhelming!!!  All we can do is take it in and ponder it in our hearts.  Arch's comment spoke volumes, "Who was this man we had in our midst?"  We have witnessed the love of the people here, and seen and heard of all the good that has been accomplished in his 49 years as pastor.  May Fr. Greg's spirit continue to guide us all.

Blessings,
Suzie Mrkvicka

He's Home, It Is Finished

Where do I begin...
Brian summed it up well in his update earlier. It was sort of one thing after another, but what should we have expected really, we are in Guatemala after all! (: Because the highway was completely closed out of Guatemala City due to the semi roll-over, we had to take a different, much longer way into San Lucas. Apparently Fr Greg wanted the scenic route (; cause we went through Antigua, through the mountain, and along the coast. How appropriate (and very LATE! :). We decided we should change the name of the blog from "Padre's Journey Home" to "Padre's Adventure Home" At the point when our van broke down right outside of San Lucas, we said "well, what else could possibly go wrong!?" We should've knocked on wood...because minutes later the HERSE broked down! Padre was most certainly laughing at us! The crowds of people started already in the villages outside of San Lucas, and car after car adorned in yellow and white joined the procession. The alfombras, the people, the music, the tears, words escape me...the best way to do justice is quite simply to give you pictures.

And our favorite of all...the door to Father Greg's bedroom and the small shrine they set up inside.

Lori

Today is the day.  Fr Greg's body is slowly making its way to San Lucas.  5 of our group stayed in Guatamala City including Brett and Lori.  The body was delayed in California.   Now we have been delayed due to a paper work flub.  Next we have just heard of a tanker roll over on the highway. They are detouring through Antigua.   We now expect to get him to San Lucas by 5 pm.  A 5 hour delay. The entire route for 30 miles is lined with yellow and white...balloons, banners, streamers, bows.  This will be simply amazing...should begin the procession within one hour. Raining.  Fitting. All of San Lucas is weeping.  Even the heavens.

Brian Mathiowetz

The Last Leg Home

I sit here in a room in a hotel in Guatemala City amazed that I am even here.  Lori and I were humbled by the request that we be in the group that is honored enough to pick up Fr. Greg tomorrow morning and escort him home.  It is hard to describe the feelings that fill our hearts.  It is a very special thing to be able to serve him in this special way after all of the service he gave to us all.  The group of five that has stayed behind to escort Fr. Greg on his final leg of the trip consists of myself, Lori, Fr. Tony from St. John Neuman, Fr Greg's sister Ann, and Fr. Greg's nephew Fr. Greg, who coincidentally has an amazingly similar voice and speech pattern to Fr. Greg.   Anyone lost yet?  :-)  For ease of identification I will use Jr. and Sr. even though they are not father/son.  It has been great sharing stories of our lives with each other, and one stuck out to me.  Fr. Tony was talking about how meeting both Fr. Greg Sr. and Fr. Greg Jr. has been one of those "beautiful surprises in life."  It really struck me because it so perfectly fits the situation.  Not one person on earth could just expect a person like Fr. Greg Sr. to be a part of their life.

As the prior week flew by, I had been so focused on making sure that I would be able to make this journey, that I was not able to process the loss of Fr Greg, who has had such a great impact in my life.  It finally caught up with me once we got to the hotel and retired for some rest this afternoon.  I have, and will always hold him in the highest regard.  He had the ability to warm a person's heart with a smile or a "hey guy/gal".  He truly was an image of Christ's love to all of us, and I am so honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve him in this special way assisting his journey home.  This will be a lifetime memory that I will hold in my heart forever, as painful as it can be at times, all of this is in love.  In love we are all brought together, and in love we care for and look after each other.  So with love on our minds, we go to bed tonight, so that we may be ready to accompany Fr. Greg on his final stretch home, and be a support to all of those that will show their love for him after all of the love he has poured out to us all of these years....

We request that you pray for a quick process in the morning.  There are thousands of anticipated visitors, many of which are already awaiting Fr. Greg's arrival.  So pray that they may act in a prompt manor, and that all arrangements will be executed smoothly and without incident.

Thank you for all of your prayer support, we can definitely feel them at work!

Beth

Hi this is Father Greg's sister Beth.
We wait in the Atlanta airport with much anticipation...what will it be like there? The first time we landed in Guatemala City, Fr Greg wasn't there to meet us! This was in 65, when there weren't many roads and he met us at the border of the city and we followed him from there. With wonderful friends, so things should go very well. Pray for us!

Beth

One Flight Down...One To Go!

Our Group landed safely in Atlanta.

Despite our flight being overbooked, and a small group of us taking a later flight, we have all landed safely in Atlanta where we will stay for the evening and leave for GUA tomorrow morning.

It has been so great getting to know one another. All of us have had such different experiences with Fr Greg. Having the opportunity to listen to the wonderful stories Padre's family tells about life growing up, to the stories that Butch tells about walking with Fr Greg from MN to San Lucas, to the stories from those who stayed in GUA as long-term volunteers in the 70's, to the stories of those of us who only have come to know him in the last few years. We all come from different places on Fr Greg's journey. Our fellowship so far has been so fruitful.

We ask special prayers tonight that Fr Greg arrives safely in Guatemala. He had to take a different flight out to Los Angeles, and then will come into Guatemala City on  red eye early Tuesday morning. Please pray that all goes smoothly and that the people of San Lucas are all able to see him and mourn in the slightly more limited time frame we are working with.

Your prayers are already felt, thank you for journeying with us and being along with us in spirit.

Peace friends,

Lori Mathiowetz

Brian Mathiowetz's Eulogy

Good Evening!
I have been asked to share a moment or 2 with you tonight. I am humbled to attempt to put into words what we all feel. To define our own ‘expressed FELT need’ at this moment.
I have read most every post to Fr Greg’s caring bridge site and I am moved by how many of you…of us…have such deep personal love for this man. Many of you have been in his inner circles since the early days of San Lucas.
I happen to be a second generation ‘San Lucas’ family member. My father was instrumental in procuring the first fire truck fundraiser in 1972…and then sending it off for its journey to San Lucas…to fight the savage fires so destructive to the corn stalk and thatch houses that prevailed at that time. Not only did it fight fires…it served to deliver water to villages as well. He and my mother were visiting Fr Greg when the great earthquake of 1976 hit. It was some days before we heard from them to know they were safe.
Fr Greg always asked about our construction business. He always AFFIRMED us and what we do each day. He would say…’you are doing a great thing, providing all these families jobs, so they can feed and educate their children…it is exactly what we are trying to do in San Lucas…keep it up’. He knew a job was better than anything else he could give to them.
Last night in New Ulm, our grandchildren ran to the front of church to see Fr Greg…just like they do in San Lucas…our 4th generation of San Lucas Support.
Now I would like to share something I received yesterday from my Daughter in Law, Lori Mathiowetz. I think it summarizes everything….
Lori…
When we think of Fr Greg Schaffer, quite naturally we think of the many things he “did” for the community and parish of San Lucas Tolimon Guatemala. Perhaps we think of the clinic, the school, the Juan Ana coffee program, or, the Women’s
Center, or the hoped for second level construction on the Bodega, that he was so proud of.
But we can’t deny that part of us cringed this week, reading the many stories, or hearing the news broadcasts of his death when they referred to him as a “missionary” ...for those of us who had the chance to meet him or hear him speak, can testify to the fact that he made it well known upon introducing himself: “my name is Fr Greg Schaffer and I am NOT a missionary, I am a diocesan priest from a rural diocese in southwestern Minnesota.”
We know that he did not necessarily announce this because he had a disdain for missionaries, but rather, because he did not attribute the many projects in the community as valuable in and of themselves. They were not his “real work,” though they are in fact, good and important to support.
Fr Greg will be remembered for his deep love for his people. The projects were valuable because they reflected the dignity of his people. They were the result of a lifetime of listening to the ‘expressed felt need’ of his people and answering their need in love. He often said “poverty is more than just not having enough to eat----- it’s physical, its psychological, it’s spiritual.” Typical missionary programs struggle to “manage” human need.
And Fr Greg knew that. He learned it through trial and error in his early days with programs like President Kennedy’s “Food for Peace Program” trying to GIVE the people what they need. And when they told him “Padre, don’t give us food, help us buy land so we can grow our OWN food,” He listened.
And when a man in the community proposed the statement: “if you spend your entire life looking for food and trying to protect your family- are you anything more than an animal? I keep my family in a hut you wouldn’t keep an animal in!” He listened.
He saw what this kind of poverty did to his people, and in love, he answered their plea. But not with handouts. This would simply undermine their dignity and even further entrench them in poverty and dependence on those more fortunate than themselves.
He listened, and what he heard was “don’t do it for us-make it possible for US to do it OURSELVES!” Fr Greg liked to say: “Jesus never denied anyone that came to him.” Neither did Fr Greg Shaffer.
When faced with the economic injustice, and even the years of overt violence in Guatemala, he did not succumb to anger or give up, with true Midwestern work ethic, he tread on. Nor did he get caught up in bickering or semantics, or theological debates, for Fr Greg, it was always about the beauty and the dignity of his people. He taught us that we must look at one another and see the face of God, but he did not teach it as a theological doctrine: he taught it as a truth that he lived. He believed it.
This truth had taken root in his very heart, and wasn’t up for discussion. It was his lived reality. And so we “learned” this from Padre, not because he lectured us on it, but because he lived it. We learned it by watching his actions, the way he embraced his beloved parishioners, the way every child received a kiss on the forehead, the way, no matter who you are, you couldn’t help but be drawn into his stories and his laugh and his magnetic personality.
The reason we all felt so compelled to be around him, to just listen to his voice, was because of this deep love for ALL humans. Just to look into his eyes, made us feel so alive, so connected to him and to all those whom he spoke about. The idea of standing in “solidarity” with the people of Guatemala seems quite natural because, quite simply, they were already a part of us…through him.
We live in this state of mutual interdependence and it’s not something that needs to be explained with words. It just simply is. How else could he communicate this to us other than through the way he lived?
And so today, our hearts ache for our loss. Especially for the loss felt by the parishioners of San Lucas el Evangelista. And yet, there is this spark. This sense that he will never be gone from us. Oh, perhaps his presence or his voice can no longer be experienced. But this man, this life…THAT cannot ever die.
He lives on in each and every one of us, his stories cannot die, his work cannot die, his love cannot die. This is what it means to be the “body” of Christ: that we live on in those whom we come into contact with.
And so there is this spark, I can feel it inside my heart even now. It feels a little bit like the glimmer in his eye when he would smile and say “hey gal! hey guy ! how are ya?” It feels like Fr Greg.
And that cannot die. We will not let it.

Thanks Lori…



We will now be challenged much like the early disciples were challenged when Christ left them. We can feel their anxiety, loss, fear.
But just like they moved forward, we can and will move forward to keep Fr Greg’s energy continuing…and therefore building the Kingdom and pushing back against the process of poverty.