Friday, August 28, 2009

****HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO........*****

These candles are on an unfrosted angel food cake, so it seemed so appropriate to post this picture in honor of my dear (and now in Heaven) friend, Fr. Eugene !



This picture came up under birthday candles and I thought...hmmm...how perfect for someone who did so much Good and is now in Heaven!...




This angel seems to be guiding people up to Heaven...




This is a thoughtful and yet wistful angel that just spoke to my heart about how good it was to have him on earth, yet how much better for his sake that he is in Heaven...




I found out that he had died when I got a greeting card returned to me in the mail with deceased-return to sender- written on it...so Mario was very gentle with me and sat me on the couch before I saw it...I wish I could have talked to him just one more time...





I did not know him when he was this young for God had him come into my life during a turbulent time and he was so good at counseling!....




He told me that no matter what comes into your life or how hard any situation may be, always speak in a LOVING and LOVEABLE way and I have held that in my heart all these years...




I was so thrilled when I found out that his birthday was the same day as mine. He was the first person I had ever met with my birthday and I felt honored!



I found what is in black print on an Internet site for all the men of God who died in the SDS (Society of the Divine Saviour) order:
FATHER EUGENE BROCHTRUP SDS

Born August 28, 1921 - Died January 10, 1997



Father Eugene Brochtrup (birth name: Clyde Gordon) was born on August 28, 1921, in Hollandtown, Wisconsin, a small farming community east of Appleton. He once told me that he REALLY disliked his given name (said WHAT were my parents thinking???)so he went by his Confirmation name of Eugene. He had a subtle but good sense of humor.


He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college. He entered the Society's Novitiate there in 1941, and made his profession of vows on September 8, 1942. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC. On June 4, 1948, he was ordained a priest in St. Gregory's Church in St. Nazianz.

He lost his mother when he was just a very little boy but he said that when his father remarried she was a good woman and that he never knew of a single night they ever spent apart for any reason!

For many years in his ministry as teacher, Fr. Eugene taught languages at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; and at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, where he also served as prefect of the Brother candidates for a few years. He taught at St. Gregory's High School in the village of St. Nazianz, where he was Vice Principal, as well as associate pastor in the parish.

He ministered as associate pastor of St. Benedict's Parish in Columbus, Georgia, and directed the Social Services Bureau of Catholic Charities in that city. For a time, he also taught at Pacelli High School in Columbus.

This is when I first met him and we shared faith stories and he gave great and gentle counseling.



In 1974, he returned to Wisconsin, and was chaplain of Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, and helped in St. Patrick's Parish in Menasha.
Later, he worked in St. Peter's Parish in Oshkosh; as chaplain in Holy Family Hospital and St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc; and as associate pastor of St. Mary's Parish, also in Manitowoc.


Mario and I went to visit him when we went up to Chicago on vacation for we would take one day to ride up to Manitowoc and just have a nice visit. He was also a very considerate person who never forgot to send cards for all occasions and to ALWAYS remember to mention that he was praying for each of us by name and he would always write about and ask about each person.




In 1992, he suffered a stroke, and he retired to St. Mary's Home. He died there on January 10, 1997, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.

This happened the summer that my son and I were going up to Wisconsin (for some reason Mario couldn't go that year) and he was going to show us all around the city. Instead we went and visited him at his hospital bedside and he was wonderful and even consoling as I cried, happy that the prognosis was good but sad at what had happened.


After his stroke we would continue to visit him and it was always so incredible...he NEVER complained one time or talked about his limitations. Instead he would talk sports to both Marios and ask how everyone else was doing, totally interested in us and smiling the whole time and then thanking US for having come to visit him. His 'silence' about his multiple limitations was so inspirational!! You knew you were in the presence of holiness.




Fr. Eugene is remembered fondly as a "man on the go," whose many ministries and appointments made it difficult for anyone to keep up with him. An avid jogger for over twenty years, he was often seen running in the wee hours of the morning for his five-and-a-half mile jog.

I even have an old newspaper (I asked him to send me anything any time he was involved but he was VERY humble and only did it because we were good friends)where he was featured for having jogged so much and under severe weather conditions (like snow and sleet and ice)! He had been a heavy smoker but when he gave it up and realized he could jog (something he DEARLY loved) he did it with gusto every morning at 4:00 or 5:00 A.M. for many years.


Gifted with languages as well as having excellent teaching skills, he taught the basics of Latin and Greek to many seminarians over the years in creative ways that made it easier for them to learn.

So strange to think about it but even though we both had a love of languages, we never spoke to each other in any language other than English...there were too many good Christian books to share or questions to ponder!
So I would like to ask everyone reading this to take a minute to"wing" a prayer up to Heaven that whatever he is praying about for good down here, will come true!



HE WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS LITTLE CARTOON BELOW......






AS WELL AS THESE GOOFY JOKES....


Grandpa Jones' Birthday


It was Grandpa Jones' 100th birthday and he was still in perfect health. At his birthday party he was asked how he managed to live so long and stay so fit.

He explained "I put my long life down to spending so much time out of doors. I've been in the open air, day after day, rain or shine, for the last 75th years."

"How do you manage to keep up such a rigorous fitness regime?" we asked.

"It's simple" he said. "When I married my wife 75 years ago, we both made solemn pledge on our wedding night. We agreed that whenever we ever had a fight, whoever was proved wrong would go outside and take long walk


Walking On Water


Amanpreet heard a rumor that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays. So, on his 21st birthday, Amanpreet and his good friend Brian headed out to the lake.

"If they did it, I can too!" he insisted.

When Amanpreet and Brian arrived at the lake, they rented a boat and began paddling. When the got to the middle of the lake, Amanpreet stepped off of the side of the boat... and nearly drowned. Furious and somewhat shamed, he and Brian headed for home. When Amanpreet arrived back at the family farm, he asked his grandmother for an explanation.

"Grandma, why can I not walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?"

The feeble old grandmother took Amanpreet by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained, "That's because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January... you were born in July, dear."
******

Q: What did one candle say to the other?
A: "Don't birthdays burn you up?"

*******
Q: "Were any famous men born on your birthday?"
A: "No, only little babies."
*******
Q: How can you tell that you're getting old?
A: You go to an antique auction and three people bid on you!
*******
"I'm giving a 'surprised' birthday party for you."
"A 'surprised'. birthday party? What's that?"
"That's where I invite a bunch of your friends, and if any of them come, I'll be surprised!"
*******
Q: Why did the boy feel warm on his birthday?
A: Because people kept toasting him!




~~~For the blessings of wonderful celebrations and the warm friends You send as additional blessings I most sincerely thank You, dear Lord.

26 comments:

  1. Okay, well, peeking at my INCREDIBLE sidebar, I see there will be another little post coming from me today.

    By the way, I have happy tears right now!!

    How can I be SOOOO blessed??

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  2. You are a blessing...
    So like you to post a tribute to someone dear to you on your birthday....always thinking of others. I'm glad that Fr. Eugene was such an inspiration and blessing to you and to others.
    Happy birthday Fr. Eugene...and happy birthday to you Marcy....

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  3. So glad you were Blessed with Father Eugene in your life, Marcy as he was Blessed to have you in his life.
    As WE are all Blessed to have you in our lives! It's a pleasure to visit with you each day, as you really are a ray of sunshine no matter the weather, and you really are a spoonful of sugar!
    Beautiful tribute to your friend! Happy Birthday to Father Eugene in Heaven!
    And Happy Birthday to YOU, who makes Heaven on Earth here for us!
    Enjoy your special day!
    Love you, E

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  4. Oh, Marcy, I just came back to look at your sidebar and I LOVE IT with all the little Marcy pictures! It's adorable!
    Too bad most of our blogs start at the end of the alphabet or your sweet little face would be up the top of your blog instead of down near the bottom!
    Have a very happy day!
    You deserve the best!
    Love and Prayers,
    Eileen

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  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCY!!!!
    I hope you have a beautiful and fun filled day ♥ What a wonderful tribute to your dear friend! You are a very special person Marcy. I'm so glad I found your blog.

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  6. A very very Happy Birthday to you Marcy. Hope you have a wonderful day ahead full of love and happiness. Wishing you peace, peace and happiness all year through :)

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  7. A wonderful tribute to a dear friend and my best wishes for a great day for you Marcy.

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  8. Happy Birthday to you! It's so like you to think of some else on your special day Marcy! Father Eugene sounded like a wonderful friend and confidant! Just like you Marcy.I hope you do something special today!
    Love Di

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  9. Your are such an amazing person Marcy..always, always thinking of others...
    I hope that your Birthday is the Best One EVER!! You deserve it!
    What a sweet post to remember him by...
    You're the best!!
    Happy Birthday to You!
    Happy Birthday to You!
    Happy Birthday Dear Marcy!
    Happy Birthday to You!!
    Love You!!! Big Birthday Hugs!!
    Jerelene

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  10. You shouldn't have to work today, so here's a little more humor for your birthday:

    Forget about the past, you can't change it.
    Forget about the future, you can't predict it.
    Forget about the present, I didn't get you one.

    Artificial intelligence is a wonderful thing.
    I told my computer that today is my birthday,
    and it said that I needed an upgrade.

    Oh well....I tried! Happy, happy birthday to you, Marcy. You have brightened many months for me in the short time I've "known" you. I thank God for you!

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  11. WOw Father Eugene was such a cutie in his day. (Hope that made you smile)... we are thinking of you and wish more than anything that we could share some cake later...
    we love you and hope that you have a day as beautiful as you are in and out!!!! take care.
    Brande

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  12. Hi Marcy,
    Happy Birthday, and it is so like you to think of others first, and you are a blessing. I hope you have a wonderful day. ((((BIRTHDAY HUGS)))) T

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  13. Good Morning Marcy, it seems everyone was up and at'em before me this morning....not news to you is it.......Happy Birthday Father Eugene, he was a blessing to you as you are to all of us. Have a wonderful day my friend, we love you very much......:-) Hugs

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  14. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a grand day!

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  15. Happy Birthday, my blogging friend and sister! I hope you have a most wonderful day. Thank you for sharing your memories of Father Eugene.

    Hugz!

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  16. I came here through Wanda's blog to wish you a very Happy Birthday Marcy!!

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  17. You're very blessed to have shared a birthday with a priest who was so good to you. God bless you with many more lovely birthday's!

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  18. You're the greatest blessing Marcy. Not many people could make us want to read every word about a priest we never knew but I was rivetted by this whole posting. Well done you - Fr. Eugene would have been proud of what you do here.

    love, Angie, xx

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  19. Him Marcy
    First time here but after the lovely words Bernie had to say about you on her post toady I had to come by and wish you a "happy birthday!"
    And way you be blessed with many more birthdays full of many blessings!

    Margie:)

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  20. Sorry...I write too fast at times.
    Should be ... "Hi" not "Him" oh well!

    Take care & have a great day!

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  21. Hope you've had a joyful day Marcy...Nice post about Father Eugene...My Dad's name was Eugene. Happy Birthday again and hope any wishes you made come true!

    Wanda

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  22. I too want to be among the many fans and friends that you have. MY PRAYER FOR YOU THIS DAY IS THAT YOU HAVE MANY, MANY, MANY, healthy birthdays filled with joy and prosperity. That all your dreams may come true. Thanks for being such an inspiration to the village! Faithfully your friend....lindalu

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  23. Hello Marcy,
    I'm visiting after reading about your birthday on several other blogs. Many blessings to you, Marcy, on your special day. Wishing you good health and happiness.

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  24. Hi Marcy!

    I wandered over here from Wanda & Diana's ... Wishing you a very happy birthday!

    Sing a song of Birthdays
    Full of fun and cheer
    And may you keep on having them
    For many a happy year. . .

    SONshine and Showers of Grace!
    ~Maria

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  25. Happy Birthday, Marcy - across the miles!

    Where would we be without these 'gems' in our lives. You have some wonderful memories of Fr. Eugene and I'm sure he's looking down on you and keeping you safe.

    Love, Joolz

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  26. Don't know any of the persons posting above.

    But I did know Fr Eugene. When I met him, he was a bit younger than the first photo of him above.

    I wrote a detailed, thorough (and positive) review. However this site says it has a limit of 4,096 characters. I have considerably more interesting info than that. If you want to see it, email me at rj.amman@comcast.net

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