Fellow Raven Republicans and all Ravens,
Yesterday morning
our Benedictine Family lost a young member in a very tragic way. Freshman Rebecca
Lueke died in a car accident in a crossover collision on her way back to campus.
No doubt many of you have already heard of the terrible news, but I would like
to highlight some aspects I’m learning as I read about her. I never met
Rebecca, but perhaps I should have.
- She was here at Benedictine College on a scholarship for basketball; she cared for her body and enjoyed the vigor of hard work.
- She was the captain of her basketball team in high school; to at least her coach, she showed leadership, a quality of a true Raven.
- According to her high school, St. Teresa’s Academy, she was “an absolute gift to both her school and parish communities.” Her parish involvement shows a passion for her faith.
- As one report said her organs will be donated to others; she wanted to serve others beyond her own life.
I have no
authority to speak on her life, but it seems to me that Rebecca was an
incredible person who loved life. It is not easy for a family or community of
any size to suffer the loss of a loved one. Her family, teammates, and friends
will no doubt mourn her death the most. At the same time we as fellow Ravens
also grieve. I was especially struck while watching the news report on her accident.
There was a moment when the camera focused in on a police officer carrying what
appeared to be a backpack; it was at this moment I realized a sudden loss. This
was no impersonal statistic to be analyzed; this was a young woman going back
to school from home to complete her final exams.
I do not mean to
intentionally draw emotions from you—the event itself will do that enough. But
I do want to show some solidarity with my Raven Family and with Rebecca’s loved
ones. There seems no answer to the question of “why.” There seems no apparent
reason behind this seemingly senseless loss of life. Anger, confusion, and
downright depression are present.
This, though, is
not forever. With help from family and friends we can come to be more at ease
with death. No, time does not necessarily heal; there will be moments that we
will be overshadowed with sorrow. But time and love DO win the war against our
loss. With fervent prayer and community our losses become our understanding
that our loved ones are gifts. Now, Benedictine, is the time we begin to
understand. Yes, we must first mourn: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they
shall be comforted.” Pope Francis says to let the tears of our sadness flow. “All
of us have felt joy, sadness and sorrow in our lives, but have we wept during
the darkest moment? Have we had that gift of tears that prepare the eyes to
look, to see the Lord?"
I encourage all
of you to draw from this tragedy a renewed vision of life, to see the Lord. See
the good and the Truth, and find value in everything. Call your family and say
that you love them, or miss them, or just hello. Mourn and then rejoice, for
God looks forward to comforting you. Today is when we gain a new understanding
of our school’s motto: Forward. Always Forward. Everywhere Forward. Keep moving
forward in Christ.
One way is to
pray and show whatever support we can to Rebecca’s family. Attached is a card
with a short prayer for Rebecca and her family. There is space as well for a
small note and your name. I encourage you to print it, fill it out, and return
it to myself, the other executive members, or the SGA office in the Upper
Student Union. To my fellow Raven Republicans: this is especially a time where
we enact our belief of family and community as the central building block of
society. Take five minutes to show, in a small way, your love for a Raven.
Thank you, everyone, for taking
time to be mindful of life. It is so precious and dear. May God bless you all,
and may God comfort Rebecca and her family.
For the repose of the
soul of Rebecca Lueke. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual
light shine upon her. May the souls of the all the faithful departed, through
the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Heartily,
Stanton Skerjanec, BCR Chairman
Prayer Card here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B81V6OuE_-6WRnpDQ3hfaHNVVkk/edit?usp=sharing
Prayer Card here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B81V6OuE_-6WRnpDQ3hfaHNVVkk/edit?usp=sharing
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