tvc.dsj.org | March 5, 2019
COMMUNITY
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Catholic Cemeteries: Brother LeRoy Viera’s Legacy and Message: “Tag, You’re It!”
By Kathy Fanger
“Well done, good and faithful servant.
Come and share in your master’s happi-
ness!” Matthew 25:23
Brother LeRoy Viera, Society of
Mary (Marianist) entered into heaven
January 20 at the age of 92. His life story
is a testimony to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I
know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans to give you a future full of hope.”
School never captured LeRoy’s pas-
sion. His strength was working with
his hands, building, repairing and cre-
ating. LeRoy spent many hours work-
ing in the Antioch vineyards, walking
back and forth into town. God moved
into his life as someone LeRoy could
talk to, share his frustrations with, and
receive advice.
LeRoy felt called to become a reli-
gious. After pursuing three religious
orders unsuccessfully, LeRoy’s cousin
led him to the Marianists. His many
assignments included Mitty, Chami-
nade and Serra High Schools and con-
structing the Cupertino Provincialate,
Infirmary and Marianist Center.
Brother LeRoy endeared himself to
students and parents alike. He worked
into the wee hours of the night, as-
suring that everything was set up for
lunches and events. The PA system,
toilets and lights always worked.
He hosted luaus, built drama sets,
and taught students carpentry skills.
Brother LeRoy would tease, laugh,
compliment, correct, and praise. He
was always in the background, quietly
pitching in.
LeRoy took up glazing hundreds of
ceramic statues of the Blessed Mother,
gifting them to Marianist classrooms
and offices in California and Hawaii
and anyone who requested one for
their own.
“Tag, you’re it!”
LeRoy’s longtime friend, Steve
Thomas Murphy, a teacher and di-
rectee, shared at his Vigil:
‘”I liked to drop in unannounced at
LeRoy’s community and leave a sticky
note on his mirror or desk, letting him
know it was his turn that day to make
the world a better place. “Tag, you’re it.”
LeRoy and I played this game for 22
years. Whoever tagged the other was
passing on a simple task, following
the words of Mary, “Do whatever he tells
you.” And so, we did. “Tag, you’re it”
was the reminder in our emails, letters
and in person.
LeRoy was my hero. My mentor.
And so much more to so many others.
He was an inspiration to live a good,
simple and selfless life for others.
I will miss LeRoy’s sweet soul. A
soul that was kind, gentle, generous
and loving. He would give you the shirt
off his back if you needed it. He would
offer to patch the hole in your roof or
help you move to a new apartment.
And you never had to ask.
LeRoy knew who needed help be-
cause he listened to Mary. There was
nobody more devoted to the Mother
of Jesus than Brother LeRoy Viera.
Nobody.
Heaven has a new saint. The bright-
est light any of us will ever have the
privilege of knowing. That light has
been called home to tend God’s rose
garden, perhaps repair the pearly gates,
and maybe even remodel some of the
clouds.
We are now tasked with carrying
on Brother LeRoy’s good works – to
make the world a better place. To fulfill
Mary’s wish, “Do whatever he tells you.”
And what better way than living self-
lessly and loving unconditionally? I’d
like to think LeRoy’s final words were
– “Tag. You’re all ‘it’ now.”’
Brother LeRoy is buried at Gate of
Heaven alongside priests, religious
sisters and his Marianist brothers. Like
LeRoy, Catholic Cemeteries is here to
assist you. We will walk with you on
this end-of-life journey with kindness,
gentleness and compassion.
*Excerpts taken from the reflections of
Rev. Alan DeLong, SM and Steve Thomas
Murphy.
Planning a Catholic Funeral
March 16: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish –
Community Center
10110 N. DeAnza Blvd. Cupertino
Presenters: Father Christopher Ben-
nett, Beddingfield Funeral Service and
Catholic Cemeteries
The Vigil, Funeral Mass and Com-
mittal (graveside services) each have
distinct purposes in the journey to-
ward healing and wholeness. Come
learn about the Church’s comforting
Catholic rituals and prayers and the
services and options offered through a
funeral home and Catholic Cemeteries.
Give yourself and your loved ones the
gift of peace of mind by having your
end-of-life plans in place. (See ad on
back page.)
Rest in Peace, Sister Monica Kim, O.P.
Sister Monica Kim, O.P. formerly
known as Sister George Monica Kim,
died on February 10 at the Dominican
Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She
was 89 years of age and in the 61 st
year of her religious profession in
the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Monica was born in Yungy-
ou, North Korea, to Lawrence and
Monica (Kwak) Kim. She graduated
from Soo-Do High School in Seoul,
South Korea, and received a Bachelor
of Home Economics degree from
Seoul National University in Seoul,
Korea, and a Bachelor of Home Eco-
nomics degree and a Master of Educa-
tion degree, both from Siena Heights
College (University) in Adrian. She
also received a Master of Science
degree in Home Economics from
Michigan State University in East
Lansing, Michigan, and a Master of
Theology degree in Family Ministry
from the Graduate Theological Union
in Berkeley, California.
Sister spent 24½ years ministering
in education in Adrian and Detroit,
Michigan; West Palm Beach and
Miami Shores, Florida; Hayward,
Carmel, Mountain View and San Jose,
California; Tucson, Arizona; Manhat-
tan, Kansas; and Nassau, Bahamas.
This includes six years as professor at
Barry College (University) in Miami
Shores. She was an office assistant for
seven years at St. Thomas Aquinas
Parish in Palo Alto, California. Sis-
ter ministered in Social Work for 13
years in Catholic Charities in Colton
and at Mary’s Mercy Center in San
Bernardino, both in California, and
she served for two years as associate
director in the Family Life Office in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sister
became a resident of the Dominican
Life Center in Adrian in 2006.
Sister was preceded in death by
her parents. Sister is survived by
a sister, Barbara Choi of Edmonds,
Washington.
Memorial gifts may be made to
Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East
Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michi-
gan, 49221.
Death Café
March 20: 7 – 9 p.m.
(3rd Wed. each month)
890 Benton Street, Santa Clara
(corner of Lafayette)
Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral
Ministries
Want a safe place to talk about death
and dying and what it means? How do
we participate or incorporate dying
into our lives as we come upon that
experience? Space provided by Santa
Clara University Graduate Program in
Pastoral Ministries. For more informa-
tion: www.deathcafe.com/deathcafe.
Endorsed by Catholic Cemeteries
New Paths for Healing
Travelling through Lent with personal
grief. A diverse retreat for those griev-
ing a loss.
April 6: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Mary’s Parish – Hofmann Center
219 Bean Ave. Los Gatos
Join us for a day of reflection en-
countering the presence of God in
your daily life in the midst of grieving.
The day will include prayer, reflection,
opportunities to share and hands-on
activities to explore the ways in which
grief and God color our lives. $15. RSVP
required by Tues. Apr. 2. (408) 342-1517
or [email protected]
For more information or to schedule
a free workshop in your parish, contact
Catholic Cemeteries (650) 428-3730 or
[email protected]
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