JOHN E. GILLIG

First off, I am going to address him with his correct title-Father John Gillig. That is what I have called him since I first met him in the late sixties.I will continue to think of him as a priest. He is a special person to me and my family.

My mother, Vivien Cooney, first met him in the late sixties at St. Jude's School. She was a teacher. She also was a Methodist. They used to talk over problems.

The first time that I went face to face for confession was to Father Gillig. I was not thrilled to have to go for that sacrament. He helped me through it.

When my Catholic father Tom Cooney died, he allowed my mother's Methodist minister to come in and give a talk at the funeral mass.

In 1978, he gave my husband and I a very good pre-cana
instruction and also married us. His pre-cana instruction was affective since we will celebrate 33 years of marriage in December.

Then in July 2001, God called my mother home. She wanted him to talk at her funeral. He came to the funeral home and talked plus he went up to Hudson, Indiana where she was buried.

Jerry: My mother thought a lot of you too.

God Be With You Always, Father John.
I love you.

Pat (Cooney) Vought

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998