Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius
November 30, 2014
Virtue Development
A Moment of Randomness

Last week, we completed a five year pondering of the virtues found in the book: 20 Teachable Virtues: Practical Ways to Pass on Lessons of Virtue and Character to Your Children by Barbara C. Unell and Jerry L. Wyckoff. November though is one of those months that has a fifth Sunday in it so I decided to share with you a story about a woman in Idaho who will never miss another day of Church. Please read the article and I will reflect with you on it afterwards.

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Bronzed Parishioner
MOSCOW, Idaho — Longtime church-goer- Gert Rizzoli was so devoted to her spot in the pew at Featherside Congregational church that when she passed away last month, her family received permission to bronze her body and set it in the pew. Now, to the consternation of some church members, her body is permanently located in the aisle seat she occupied every Sunday for forty years.

“She loved gazing at the pastor from that spot, being the first in her row to receive Communion, having quick access to the bathroom,” says daughter Sofia. “It gave her a sense of deep, spiritual comfort.”

But fellow church-goers also remember Gert’s stiff response to anyone who tried to take her place.

One man was shooed away by Gert on several occasions when he arrived early and inadvertently took her spot, he says. Now the bronze statue serves as an irritating reminder of the encounter.

“It’s like she’s still there defending her seat,” he says.

When church members enter the sanctuary now, they can’t help but catch the glare of light off of Gert’s bronzed pate. Visitors find it inconvenient to climb over her, and children have stubbed their toes on her hardened shins.

“She was a Christ-like lady, except when it came to giving up that spot,” says a family friend. “She had a real sense of her turf. To her, it was like the Israelites: Once you get land, you don’t give it up.”

Pastor Len Kerralt, who agreed to the odd memorial, looks upon Gert’s frozen smile each Sunday from the pulpit.

“It’s nice to know at least one person is enjoying the sermon,” he quips. But others still mumble about the nuisance.

“What if more people request the same thing?” one woman asks. “Pretty soon the church will be filled with bronze statues.”

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While I do not think that we will be suffering from the problem of having too many bronzed people taking up our Church seating, I do think that Gert missed the point. Coming to Church is not about “me” but rather about “us.” We come to Church to meet other sinners who also happen to be through Baptism God’s family.

The virtues that Gert needed to develop it sounds like would be hospitality, love, and patience. I pray that she receives them in purgatory. On the other hand, I am happy that Gert found a place where she felt accepted and loved. I still think it a bit creepy and I would probably not sit next to the statue at Sunday services.