A R C H I V E S
Thanks
for
visiting.
The last
Emails . . .
Father
John:
May your journey be peaceful
3.08.01
Dear sweethearts,
Today was our last scripture class of the Winter season, after which we
had box lunches eaten together in the conference room at St. Charles.
When I arrived home John had received a call from Mary Weyhing in Dunedin.
Fr John had developed difficulty breathing and seemed to have fluid on
his lungs. A CT scan and chest xray showed a large collection of fluid
on his lungs, and perhaps that the cancer has spread to this area. He
had an appointment with the cardiologist today at 3:30 pm. We have found
that he has been admitted to Meese Dunedin Hospital. We are still awaiting
a call from Ed or Mary to see what is going on.
.
. . Ed
called Sister Mary Sarto earlier and arranged for her to come to Dunedin.
She will arrive tomorrow (Friday) at 9:30 pm, on Delta Airlines, after
a change of planes in Atlanta. I will probably go to Florida sometime
after tomorrow. This is because Rick has the closing on his house tomorrow
at 10 am and I very much want to be there with him and Dad. Needless to
say, Rick is very excited about this, and so are we. But at the same time
my heart is so heavy at the prospect of losing my good friend and brother.
Pray for me, guys, if you will. I will try to keep you posted.
.
. .
Just a note to tell you also that Aunt Esther is going down hill fast,
according to her daughter-in-law, Sheri. Keep them in your prayers, too,
if you will, as they, too, are very sad.
.
. .
I will keep you posted.
.
. .
Love, Betty
3.10.01
Dear Friends of Father John,
Those of you who know and love Father John and share his smiles and stories
via Email will be interested in this medical update, which I am sending
using one of the messages Fr John himself sent out earlier this year.
Fr John was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1994, but through good medical
treatment and the grace of God he has been able to keep on with his ministry
for seven more years— for six years with hormone therapy, for the
last year with two different courses of chemotherapy. Now the chemotherapy
has failed, and the cancer has shown up in some areas not previously touched,
affecting his mobility and his breathing. He hopes to get some additional
treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center here in Tampa.
.
. .
Although Fr John faces an uncertain medical future, his positive attitude,
his cheerfulness, his trust in God remain unabated. As recently as Saturday,
March 3, he concelebrated Mass in his wheelchair. At the moment he is
in Meese Dunedin hospital here in Florida for what we hope will be a short
stay to treat some fluid on his lungs. He hopes to be home this coming
week. At home he has Hospice Care and the support of Our Lady of Lourdes
parish. In addition, his brother (me) and sisters and our spouses are
either with him or expecting to be soon. We ask your prayers for Fr. John
as he begins this part of his journey. He hasn't been able to get to his
Email for several days, but I'll be happy to pass on any Emails you send
me. And I'm sure even though you haven't heard from him that he's thinking
about all of you.
.
. .
Ed Weyhing
3 .12.01
Dear Fr. John,
You are always in our thoughts and prayers. There are so many wonderful
memories our whole family have of you. Way back to the days of singing
together and you playing the accordion. Your visits to the farm, the important
part you took in our Grandybo's funeral, your being there at the family
reunions, our many nice talks together and just your being there. May
your journey be peaceful. Know that much love is sent your way. God Bess
You.
Love, Jinny and the Dixon Clan
3.15.01
Update on Father John Weyhing
Father John was discharged from the hospital on Monday, feeling much better
after the bedrest and oxygen he received in the hospital. Sarto arrived
from Ireland on Friday night, 3/9/01. Betty arrived from Dayton on Monday
3/12/01. In addition, Fr Al Wilson, John's seminary roommate, flew in
from Louisville on Wednesday. It is a wonderful reunion for all of us.
Right now only John, Betty's husband, is missing. He is remaining behind
with his own brother, Art Seitz. Art has been in and out of the hospital
in recent weeks with cardiac problems, and now a very slowed down pulse
rate, requiring intense treatment by the cardiologist. Betty and John
and now John by himself have been helping Art manage this. So we have
two brothers who need your prayers— Father John and Art.
.
. .
As for Father John, he has readily adapted to the new regimen of oxygen
and wheelchair living— still getting up on his feet to do things
he wants to do around his condo, still able to get in and out of the car
himself. Betty is also spending the night in Fr John's condo, within reach
of his intercom. (He spends much of the day with us in our condo upstairs—
talking, reminiscing, resting, catching some extra sleep.)
.
. .
This morning Fr John went to Our Lady of Lourdes church on his mobile
oxygen system and participated in a ceremony of Irish music, dancing,
and refreshments, in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day on Saturday. The
festivities included a Mass concelebrated by the pastor, Fr Tom Madden,
Fr John, Fr Al, and two other priests. People greeted Fr John with a round
of applause when he appeared in the sanctuary, and many came up to him
at the reception following.
.
. .
Hospice is doing wonderful work and fulfilling all of Fr John's and our
needs. Fr John has been warmed by the outpouring of Email greetings from
his friends, by the phone calls, by the generous support of Our Lady of
Lourdes parish in providing home-cooked evening meals. We too appreciate
your prayers and support for us in Dunedin as well as for John and Art
in Kettering.
.
. .
Ed Weyhing (John's brother)
3.21.01
Fr John Weyhing, 50 Years a Priest, 1951-2001
Sunday there will be an informal celebration of Father John's 50 Years
as a priest— organized over the last week and a half by the parish
- after the 11:15 am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Dunedin (Florida).
Father John plans to concelebrate that 11:15 am Mass. He looks forward
to seeing anyone who can make it to the Mass and celebration. This week
he enjoyed dinner Monday night with his family and friends at Jesse's
restaurant in Dunedin_ thanks to the portable oxygen and pain medication,
which have enabled him to continue doing some of the things important
to him. He has greatly appreciated all the Emails and cards and phone
calls and messages from his relatives and friends. If you can think of
anyone who would like to receive this news but doesn't seem to be on the
distribution list, or doesn't have Email, please let them know. If you
send new Email addresses to edweyhing@worldnet.att.net I'll include them
on the distribution.
.
. .
Ed Weyhing (John's brother)
3.27.01
"A hell of a celebration with a week's notice!"
Father John celebrated his 50 Years as a Priest with his "home parish"
in Dunedin, Our Lady of Lourdes. It was a wonderful celebration. Father
Tom Madden, the pastor, when the dates were advanced from May 20 to March
25, said "We can throw a hell of a party with a week's notice!" And did
they ever! Sarto wrote an account of the ceremony and reception following
which she faxed her sisters at Glencairn Abbey in Ireland, and I thought
some of you might be interested. Father John's energy level is down a
bit, but his spirits and trust in the Lord God grow ever stronger. Thanks
for all the Emails, cards, notes, and wishes he has received. He is grateful
for the attention and care you are showing. As some of you can see from
his three early-morning Emails today, he is still up to at least some
of his old tricks!
.
. .
All of us send our love.
.
. .
Ed Weyhing (John's brother)
3.27.01
Excerpts from Sarto's Fax to Her Community in Ireland
On Saturday we all tried to rest up for Sunday's celebration of the Golden
Jubilee. Betty gave Father John some breakfast, after which he just went
back to bed and slept until about 5 in the evening. Waking up on Sunday
morning, March 25, he had some juice and showered and dressed and off
we went with Father John's wheelchair, portable oxygen tanks in use, extras
in standby in the car; extra pain medicine in Betty's purse. We arrived
at church for 11:15 Mass at 10:45. The previous Mass had just finished
and crowds were coming out of church who greeted Father John, many saying
they were returning for the reception following the 11:15 Mass.
.
. . Father
John was bright and alert and enjoyed every one giving his full attention,
whether it was our prayers or the fact he had slept the previous day.
We went into the church, and Ed helped him vest in alb and chasuble, and
take his place in his wheel chair in the sanctuary. He was celebrant of
the Mass with Father Tom Madden, pp and 6 concelebrants. Father Tom began
and took prayers and Gospel and Father John, transferred from his wheel
chair to a high stool at the altar, read the Eucharistic Prayer and then
distributed Communion to us as we were beckoned from our front pew to
come up the five steps to the altar, while 8 Eucharistic ministers began
distributing Communion at 8 stations throughout their huge church. I timed
the distribution which lasted some ten minutes. The church was packed.
We also brought up the gifts at the appropriate time with crucifix and
candles leading the procession up to the altar.
.
. .
Father Tom began Mass by announcing that Father John was celebrating early
due to doctor's suggestion "that it be sooner rather than later" and also
so that I could be with the family for the celebration. Then he introduced
us to the roar of applause. When he said Father Weyhing's Golden Jubilee
celebration, the whole congregation literally sprang to its feet and began
applauding, hardly willing to stop when Father was ready to continue...
.
. .
Father Tom began the homily on the Prodigal Son with the idea of SERVICE,
the elder son had been faithful, BUT was that important? The service of
all the priests at the altar was some number over 350 years, and he asked
each one how many years he had served, then went into the various ways
Father John had. He turned the mike over to Father John and he had two
points to make. His final message to the parish would be to continue as
they were going, to offer the sacrifices and their sufferings and whole
lives for vocations, that this service will continue in the church. Then
he made the point that he is not afraid, he is hanging in there and looking
forward to his vision of God in heaven. Afterwards all the priests came
to me to say it was a powerful message, and the people also said it was
really wonderful to hear him. Father Tom also announced that he with the
6 concelebrants would anoint Father John after the sermon, which they
did, all the priests laying hands on Father John as the prayers were said.
Father Tom explaining how a priest is anointed on the top of his hands
instead of palms etc. At the end Father John gave a solemn blessing and
Father Tom invited all to the reception. Once again the whole congregation
rose to their feet and applauded for a long time.
.
. .
The whole auditorium was decorated with gold, special cake like a huge
bible opened with Ecce Quam bonum on one side and Congratulations! on
the other, candles and ribbons etc. We had also gathered his ordination
pictures which were displayed with many photos throughout his ministry
which the people viewed as they waited in a long queue.
.
. .
I just wanted to tell you it was a wonderful celebration...
.
. .
Sarto
3.29.01
Father John Weyhing October 4, 1926 - March 29, 2001
With a mixture of joy and grief I write to let you know that our brother
and dear friend, Father John Weyhing, died shortly after noon today.
.
. .
Sarto, Betty and John and Ed and Mary were with him. He talked to us and
prayed with us within an hour of his last breath. All week he has been
basking in the afterglow of his wonderful celebration on Sunday. But his
heart noticeably weakened and his breathing became more of a task as the
week wore on. This morning we called Karen the Hospice nurse early, and
she was there to help us through the day today.
.
. .
Father Tom Madden of Our Lady of Lourdes arrived shortly after and prayed
and talked with us and blessed Father John's body before the funeral directors
took it to prepare it for burial. We rejoice at the completion of Father
John's life with us, and we rejoice at the beginning of his new life in
Heaven.
.
. .
Ed Weyhing (Father John's brother)
Obituary - Father John Weyhing - 1926-2001
Father John Weyhing, 74, of Dunedin, died Thursday, March 29, 2001, at
his residence. He was the son of the late John Louis Weyhing and the late
Emily Elizabeth Boeglin Weyhing. He came to Dunedin upon retirement in
1997 from Louisville, Kentucky, but has remained active in his priestly
ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Dunedin, and several
other area churches and nursing homes. As recently as Sunday, March 25,
he concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes church as relatives and friends
gathered to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood.
.
. .
In Louisville Father Weyhing began his priestly ministry in 1951, first
as a parish priest, later in a variety of roles, including Chaplain at
the VA Medical Center, Chaplain to the Louisville Police Department, Mass
priest for the Army Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the Churchill
Downs Backside Crew, and for a time Mass priest at the Jefferson County
Jail. € He was the first resident chaplain at the Kentucky State Fair
in 1981, and for a while practiced street ministry on The Belvedere, a
downtown Louisville Mall and gathering place. Local funeral homes in Louisville
often called on Father Weyhing to conduct funeral services for indigent
people and those with no known church affiliation.
.
. .
He is survived by his sisters, Sister Mary Sarto Weyhing, OCSO, Glencairn
Abbey, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland, Betty Weyhing Seitz and
her spouse, John Seitz, of Kettering, Ohio, his brother, Ed Weyhing and
his spouse, Mary Cecil Weyhing, of Middletown, Rhode Island, his aunts,
Elisabeth Ernst of Jasper, Indiana, and Charlotte Weyhing of Louisville,
as well as a number of cousins on both his mother's and father's sides
of the family, and countless people who were touched by his ministry.
.
. .
His body will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 750 San Salvador
Drive, Dunedin, for public viewing from 1:30 pm until 5 pm on Sunday,
April 1. The day will conclude with Evening Prayer at 5 pm at the church.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 pm on Monday, April 2, 2001, immediately
followed by a reception at the Dubois Center, next to the church. Memorial
donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady of
Lourdes church, 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin, FL 34698. A Memorial
Service will be held in Louisville at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on
Friday, April 6, 2001, at 11 am. Arrangements are by Curlew Hills Funeral
Home. Burial arrangements will be private.
