Death is a Bastard!

Thus my reaction to the news of the death of a brother priest of my presbyterate, of whom I was very fond, but did not even know was ill. Our relationship, though fond, was not particularly close. We were one in the faith and in the love of Christ and of His Church, and we both knew it and enjoyed sharing that strongest of unifying bonds.

He was 73 years old, older than I would have suspected. I have known him for thirty years and hold him in the greatest esteem, a model priest in every way, a confessor of the faith and of the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ.

The purpose of the Incarnation of Our Blessed Lord, the Babe of Bethlehem, which we celebrate at this time, was, by His glorious redeeming Pasch, to destroy bastard death.

May The Reverend Father Stanley Kostrzomb, through the mercy of God, the Passion of Christ, and the Maternity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, rest in peace, enjoying therein the glory of God in Christ with the same Virgin Mary and all the angels and saints. Requiescat in pace!