Sweet Memory of Father Karrer

Father Walter Karrer C.S.s.R passed away on December 22nd at the age of 90. For a short time, he was in retirement at SEAS. As one of many parishioners, I was never an important or memorable part of Father Karrer's life, but I will always remember him...especially on Father's Day. Our family remembers his warm and loving smile, he had a way of looking through your eyes right into your soul and letting you feel the love of Jesus. On a few occasions, he pulled us aside after Mass and told us a few jokes....One in particular was this.. "There was a redhead who wished to be a blond and so she cried and cried and complained until finally she died.........(long pause for effect).........her hair". Following Mass on Father's Day, I wished Father Karrer a Happy Father's Day, he told me that so many people forget to remember priests on Father's Day and he seemed to be saddened by this. Our family decided to try and change that, so ever since then, we have remembered our priests on Fathers' Day...starting right then and there! I went home and made a card for each of our priests and delivered them to the church office. Later that day, I was at home and feeling very heartbroken at not being able to spend time with my Dad on Father's Day, when the phone rang. It was Father Karrer who called to thank us for the card. He asked if we could just "talk awhile" and of course, I said YES! We found out that we are both from Michigan and we talked about our families there. He told me about Redemptorist priests, he told me of his sacrifices, and he told me about his great love and devotion to the Eucharist and Adoration. Thank you Father Karrer, I am sure you now know how much your phone call meant to me that day, and how you touched my heart and taught my soul. Through your example, I strive to love our Lord more fully and learn by your example.You will be missed here, but I believe Heaven is rejoicing as you adore our Savior in Adoration forever.......