Prayers Please
Dear Friends,I just received some shocking news. Fr. Christopher Lockard, SJ of my province, who was ordained just three years ago, died some time during the night of, as yet, unknown causes. I had the privilege of working with Christopher a few times during my years as a Jesuit. Among those I enjoyed the most was the time we spent working together offering the Jesuit pilgrimage before World Youth Day in Toronto. Christopher was one of the leaders of that event. He was famous for his love of the Florida Gators and his colorful Florida shirts. Chris was from Tampa, so I also had the privilege of getting to know his family during the year I was working there, and so I feel the loss all the more knowing how they must feel. Chris was an attorney before becoming a Jesuit and his most recent work was in Washington, DC with Jesuit Refugee Services, advocating for immigration reform. It's obvious from recent events that the work of Chris and others was having some success. This is a great loss for we his brother Jesuits, for his family and for those involved in this great work.
Please keep him, his family and his brother Jesuits in your prayers. Thanks.
May he rest in peace.
posted by Mark Mossa, SJ at 4:41 PM
20 Comments:
What sorrow, Mark! Please accept sincere condolences, prayers, and support for you, the Jesuit family, and Chris' family and friends. The blow of death always hurts but more especially so when it is sudden and unexpected and strikes someone so young and full of life and promise. The thought that comes to my mind is "Who has known the mind of God?" but then I recall a homily at the funeral of a young mother who died in an auto accident a few days before Christmas on her way home from shopping for gifts for her family. The priest said that a father does not wish tragedy on his children and so neither does God on God's children. However, we must try to see the presence of God working in the midst of the tragedy and the circumstances of the moment. It's not a lot of consolation but an effort at making sense of what seems senseless and hurts so much.
Peace to your heart!
Oh my word --- my deepest condolences, Mark ... RIP.
Sorry for the loss of your friend.
I'm sorry to hear that, Mark. The Jesuit family will be in my prayers tonight.
Requiem aeternam, dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.
AMDG,
-J.
Sorry to hear this.:-(.May he rest in peace.
Thanks everyone.
Mark
My prayers are with him.
Peace,
Chris
I'm sorry for your loss, Mark. You're in my prayers.
What a loss! Chris, his family, and his Jesuit brothers will be in my prayers.
Done and doing.
How tragic. I'm deeply sorry to hear this news. Prayers are being said....
That's really sad. Times like this, my mantra is "God knows what He's doing." (Not that there's an "up" side, but as a big fan of both, I know that both the Jesuits and the Gators could use some help in Heaven.)
I just know that someday this is all going to make sense. But I'm pretty sure God doesn't expect us to be cheerful about it in the meantime. So I'll put in an extra prayer for you today.
My prayers are with you.
Very sorry to hear it, Mark. They will definitely be in my prayers. God bless.
God is in control, especially when we can't make sense of what is happening.
My prayers are with you and your friend's family.
Maggie
I have known Chris and his family since he was 16 years old. We attended the same high school and we both lived in Gainesville when he was obtaining his law degree. His loss is felt by us all. You could always count on Chris to be there and help you through a crisis even if was just a shoulder to cry on. He was an inspiration to us all. I am saddened by his death but take comfort in the fact that he has moved on to serve even closer to God.
Sandy, Linda and Lane - My thoughts and prayers are with you.
J. Purvis
When I went on a silent Ignatian retreat a couple years ago Chris was who I had for a session of spiritual counseling. What a great guy! I can't remember a word he said, but I do know it helped me alot some issues I was wrestling with.
I won't be able to make the wake, due to being in the middle of finals, but there will be prayers anyway.
Our prayers are with you Mark. Chris was one of our truest (and funniest) friends in San Diego, and Mike helped him move to Grand Couteau for his very fitting calling. What a gentle man, and how much we will miss him can't be measured. I am sure his prayers for all of our human trials are the reasons we survived them and are here now, in grief and shock, to remind us of his continued guidance on our journey. A big hug from our family in Boise, Mike, Maureen, Noah, Daniel and Joseph Elia
I'm still reeling from this news. I worked with and knew Chris 20 years ago in San Diego when he was practicing law. He was one of the best human beings I've ever known. Heaven's gain is our loss.
~Donna
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