Monday, February 28, 2011

Rest in Peace, Richard!


My bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard Lester Shimpfky, D.D., graduated to greater life this morning at 6:00 am. He was the bishop who accepted me into the ordination process and was so supportive during the entire ordeal process. He used to call me while we were in seminary in Berkeley just to check in. Just before my transitional diaconate had reached its fifth month, he said, "Your not doing me any good as a Deacon; let's set the date for your priesting." My ordination as a priest took place six months and one day after my deaconal ordination. When I told him I was considering coming to Panamá, he said "my job as your bishop is to support you where ever God calls you." He was very supportive of our ministry here.

I will miss him very much. Keep Jamel and the children in your prayers.

Deliver your servant, Richard, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all
evil, and set him free from every bond; that he may rest with
all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the
Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
servant Richard. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of
your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

8 comments:

Leonard said...

What a man -- Amen

June Butler said...

Amen to your prayer, Padre, and my sympathy to you and to all who love Richard.

Penelopepiscopal said...

Amen.

Matthew Hubbard said...

This is the word of the Lord. Amen.

JCF said...

May he rest in peace.

Harry Allagree said...

I never had the pleasure of knowing him, though I saw him from a distance at General Convention & Provincial Synod years ago. God's peace to him & his family, and to you, Padre.

Ormonde Plater said...

He was a good bishop and a warm and gentle man. I met him years ago when I led a deacons' conference in his diocese.

Deacon Charlie Perrin said...

Bishop Shimpfky helped out in Long island for a time before Bishop Walker retired. In that capacity he ordained Tony Bowen to the diaconate. All of us were present and vested for the occasion and just before he laid hands on Tony he had all the deacons present come up and stand around him, not to lay hands as presbyters do, but just to be up there with Tony and him at the moment of ordination. It was a wonderful gesture of respect that we were unaccustomed to and that I, for one, will never forget.

Another time I assisted him at a regional confirmation. I very much enjoyed working with him and found him to be a kind and warmhearted man who knew well the importance of the deacon’s role in the liturgy.

I had heard that he had been moved to hospice care, which was a shock since I hadn’t been aware of his illness. I knew then that it was only a matter of time.

I will miss him and I regret that I didn’t meet him sooner or know him longer.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

I See You!

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