My Letter to Bob:

Hello my dear friend. Everything I say can only be an understatement of how much your friendship meant to me, how much I terribly miss you, and how much I dearly love you. In my heart, I am sure my sentiments are shared by the multitude of those who knew and love you. When we, your brothers and sisters in Christ, who shared years with you and Jill, on the road to formation, learned of your departure to the kingdom of heaven, we were shocked, incredibly saddened and grief stricken. Our reaction is to the emptiness and void we feel without your physical presence. But Bob, your spirit is so alive in us, we can`t allow those feelings to overcome the security of knowing you have been ordained in heaven and are at peace in total oneness with Our Savior Jesus Christ, and Our Blessed Mother Mary. You, our brother, have taken the supreme journey, you are living in the place Christ has gone to prepare for us, and we take great comfort in knowing we will, one day, be together again for eternity. You are, no doubt, serving at the table in heaven, as we continue to learn to serve at the table on earth. Pray for us, dear brother.

Bob, you were so many things to so many people, but all of us would share in common, that you, devoted and dedicated to Christ, modeled HIS unselfish love. The essence of that love lives on in your spirit, among and within us. We are strengthened by your example of what it is like to love, and be so remarkably loved, and to serve in ways that can inspire all of us.

I thank and praise God, Our Father, for the gift of your life. I thank and praise Our Lord Jesus Christ for HIS compassionate love and priestly influence in instructing you to shepherd the poor and infirmed, to be a fisher of men, and a server at HIS table. I thank and praise the Holy Spirit for the power and might in captivating, holding, and growing in your soul.

I thank you, Bob, for the depth of your love and friendship. Thank you for not judging me, for being patient, kind sensitive, understanding, and pastoral. Thank you for showing me, by example what true service is - always the first to unselfishly volunteer, always placing someone`s needs above your own. Perhaps, dear friend, that was your greatest fault - you never placed yourself first, when sometimes maybe you should have. You were always hospitable, greeting me with your friendly smile, warm embrace, and those great bear hugs. You always made me feel good and welcome, no matter where we were and your presence warmed the room. Bob, thank you for always sharing and being open with your keen insight and wisdom. When you spoke, your thoughts were always well received and your opinions and views well respected. Without pageantry, your passion for social justice, fairness and peace contributed to my awareness. Thank you for sharing the gift you received in your wonderful wife, Jill. Her warmth and presence always complemented your hospitality, service, friendship, and love.

Most of all, our dear brother, thank you for loving God, following Christ, and answering the Call of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for embracing Our Holy Mother and allowing Her radiant peace and love to constantly surround you. You, dear friend, lived and died for Christ Jesus, and I hope and pray, by your example, I do the same, so one day, we will be united in the fullness of Christ, at HIS table in God`s heavenly and eternal kingdom.

With Eternal Love, Greg

Greg Poole

Third Year Diaconate Candidate