This past Tuesday
I attended a beautiful funeral Mass for Walter Carlin Barrett Senior, who
passed away on July 24, 2013 at the ripe old age of 93. I never met Walter, and I mostly know about
his son from others in our Diocese who think very highly of him. The Holy Spirit nudged to go to the
funeral even though I didn’t personally know the family and had never been to
Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
I ended up
sitting with a couple friends from St. Michael’s. There were a number of priests, deacons,
seminarians, as well as our bishop in attendance. The church was completely full. The choir was amazing. There’s so much you can tell about a person
from the people who gather at his funeral.
I was really
impressed that Monsignor Walter Barrett presided at his own father’s funeral
Mass. He did a wonderful homily that was
an amusing, loving affirmation of his father’s life and legacy. Walter Barrett Sr. was a man who put the Lord
first in his life and was completely devoted to his family. When he was younger, he thought about
becoming a minister. Later on, he told
his son that he’d stolen his vocation.
“Wait til your
father comes home,” their mother would say.
When they heard their dad wiping his feet on the mat outside the door,
that was their signal to straighten up and behave. Monsignor Barrett talked about the faith and
grace with which his father brought people together. He was born in 1919 and lived at a time when
segregation was the norm and prejudice was running rampant.
As a hard worker,
who continued working until his health began to fail. He provided for his family, sometimes working
two jobs at a time if that’s what it took to make ends meet.
Monsignor
Barrett’s earliest memory of his father was of him reading the Bible to him at
bedtime when he was a young child. His
dad was head of the household and would lead the way when the family walked to
Mass. When they did get a car, his
father would always pick people up who he saw walking along the side of the
road, even though five of them were already in the car. They’d scoot over and Walter would drive the
person wherever he needed to go before they’d go on to their originally
intended destination.
He supported
Walter and his brother and sister going to Catholic schools for their education. Most importantly Walter Barrett Sr. lived the
Gospel. Walter was said to be a man of
few words, which was fine, because his example as a beloved son of God, a
devout follower of Christ, a faithful husband, and father spoke volumes.
Monsignor Barrett
said his family had been hassling him because he’d told them he figured only
about 60 people would show up for the funeral since Walter had outlived many of
his family members and quite a few of his friends. I’m not sure how many the church can hold,
but it was definitely filled to capacity.
Most Reverend
Bishop DiLorenzo, a number of people from the Pastoral center, the staff
members of the cluster of parishes Monsignor Barrett oversees in Hampton, and
countless people from parishes around the Diocese came to honor the legacy of
Walter Barrett Sr. The testimony to his
life was the way he lived out his faith.
I hope and pray
that when my time comes to pass from this life into the next that the Lord and
those who knew me will most of all remember the importance of drawing ever
closer to the Christ.
One of the many
reasons I believe the Holy Spirit led me to the Northside for the funeral
Mass is because a woman from St. Michael’s parish recently told me that my dad
had been part of the inspiration for the Rosary Prayer Group she started. At his funeral, which this woman attended, it
was mentioned that my dad always prayed the Rosary.
I now have the
blue bead Rosary he prayed with all the time, and I use it regularly. One gift for which I am very grateful for
from my parents and grandmothers in particular is the gift of the desire to put
God first in life and as part of that having a strong devotion to the person
who knew Jesus most intimately, the Blessed Mother.
Walter Barrett
Sr. walked with the Lord in this life and is likely rejoicing in His Presence
for all eternity. Here’s the link to his obituary and online guest book.
Lord, please
grant comfort and peace to Walter Barrett Senior’s wife, children,
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, to his family and friends, and all who are
mourning this man’s passing. Give all
who are grieving the loss of loved ones the peace which passes all
understanding. Open their hearts to You,
who are both Holy Comforter and Wonderful Counselor.
