Br. Mark Gehret, OFM, moves to Mississippi
Br. Mark Gehret, OFM, receives a send-off blessing from the New Orleans Poor Clares
"I thanked the Lord for bringing me to this rural place."
~
Br. Mark Gehret, OFM, left New Orleans, Louisiana bound for Greenwood, Mississippi on August 3. As you might expect after a total of 12 years in New Orleans, he was filled with mixed emotions. There had been so many good relationships in New Orleans over the years and a very connected friar community. On the other hand, he was looking forward to his new adventure.
Br. Mark Gehret
After getting settled in, Fr. Mark began working with a fine young maintenance man taking care of the friary, church, school, and convent. Fr. Mark loves being in a rural area again having grown up on a farm. He spent Labor Day working as a volunteer at a property on the other end of town where they are erecting a shrine to Our Lady of the Delta. He was able to use his electrician skills to help wire up the fountain where the statue of Mary is in place.
“Just tonight during my prayer time, I thanked the Lord for bringing me to this rural place and with the friendly people who live here, and for being able to use my trade skills. Growing up on a farm is paying off, says Br. Mark.
There has also been great sadness in the community during Mark’s short time in Mississippi. The community was dealing with the murder of two sisters who spent decades helping the needy.
Br. Mark never met Sr. Paula Merrill or Sr. Margaret Held. But a few weeks ago, he came to know them through the grief and pain that has united the community they served. As nurse-practitioners, the two Sisters were the sole health care providers for 25% of the people of Holmes County, Mississippi. They were found stabbed to death in their home in Durant. A suspect was arrested but the motive for the murders is unclear.
Mark was among the mourners at the wake and memorial Mass. “The mood was mostly shock,” he said. “Why would somebody do this to two such good people who helped so many?” And their patients are wondering, “Where are we going to get health care now?”
"Why this horrific crime happened is anyone's guess," said Father Gregory Plata, OFM, at the nuns’ funeral service. "However, I truly believe with all my heart that Sister Margaret and Sister Paula would tell us that we still need to keep on loving."
Fr. Greg Plata, OFM, at the Memorial Mass for the slain Srs. Paula Merrill and Margaret Held
Posted in: Missions, News, Newsletter, Prayer
