Walt Osterman died on 3 March. His death is a painful loss for his family, for his friends, for St. Mark’s parish. Family and friends can share their thoughts and feelings as and when they wish, and I will reflect on how much Walt meant to me as a personal friend in the silence of my heart. As pastor of St. Mark’s, I must share a few words in public about Walt’s extraordinary and largely unsung service to our parish family.
I never had to ask Walt to help. He just did. And his good works, often hidden from the public eye, received little acknowledgment or praise. When I was new to St. Mark’s, I publicly thanked Walt for cutting the grass, and he politely asked me not do so again. Week after week, he cut the grass around St. Mark’s and the rectory. In the winter, he cleared the walks. All of the wood for our rectory was supplied by Walt, who bought it, cut it up, and delivered it to me. He would set up for the Knights’ breakfasts, and open up the hall early, make coffee, crack eggs, cook, clean up. He helped to count offerings. And so much more. Walt the humble worker, as I praised him in the funeral homily.
And far more can be said. Walt was a quiet man, self-contained, highly responsible. He did not need to be asked to work. He knew what to do, and did it. He was so available, such a willing worker, that I now think that some of us really took Walt and his work for granted. Although I thanked him in private—and sincerely meant it—still, I took Walt too much for granted. (Note: Walt did not even want to be thanked in private, as I learned to recognize). Now I miss Walt very much. He was such a blessing to the whole parish and to the priests who served here. On behalf of the priests and parishioners Walt blessed with his friendship and faithful service, I say: Thank you, dear brother in Christ, for all you have done for us. For having taken you too much for granted, I ask forgiveness, and invite you to pray to God that we all have the eyes of our hearts opened up to see what needs to be done, and to be more willing to pitch in. Even more, Walt, pray that we not take each other for granted, but truly appreciate what these good and dedicated parishioners do for all of us.”
I thought it good to build some kind of monument to Walt at St. Mark’s. Now I know the monument that is fitting. Other than placing his name on a bench near the statue of Mary, there is a far better monument to Walt, one more fitting to this humble worker: The monument I want us to build is a community in which more of us give of ourselves for the benefit of others. Some of our members do great service, and it is voluntary and unpaid, and I will not now mention their names. Believe me, you who help so freely and generously, your efforts are much appreciated. May Walt inspire more of our members to come forward and use our hands, our bodies, our hearts to work for all in our parishes. We have gifts. Let’s use them generously. Such service is the best monument to a remarkable man, Walt A. Osterman. In honor of Walt, as the best monument to such a good man, let us humbly work for the benefit of each other.
I never had to ask Walt to help. He just did. And his good works, often hidden from the public eye, received little acknowledgment or praise. When I was new to St. Mark’s, I publicly thanked Walt for cutting the grass, and he politely asked me not do so again. Week after week, he cut the grass around St. Mark’s and the rectory. In the winter, he cleared the walks. All of the wood for our rectory was supplied by Walt, who bought it, cut it up, and delivered it to me. He would set up for the Knights’ breakfasts, and open up the hall early, make coffee, crack eggs, cook, clean up. He helped to count offerings. And so much more. Walt the humble worker, as I praised him in the funeral homily.
And far more can be said. Walt was a quiet man, self-contained, highly responsible. He did not need to be asked to work. He knew what to do, and did it. He was so available, such a willing worker, that I now think that some of us really took Walt and his work for granted. Although I thanked him in private—and sincerely meant it—still, I took Walt too much for granted. (Note: Walt did not even want to be thanked in private, as I learned to recognize). Now I miss Walt very much. He was such a blessing to the whole parish and to the priests who served here. On behalf of the priests and parishioners Walt blessed with his friendship and faithful service, I say: Thank you, dear brother in Christ, for all you have done for us. For having taken you too much for granted, I ask forgiveness, and invite you to pray to God that we all have the eyes of our hearts opened up to see what needs to be done, and to be more willing to pitch in. Even more, Walt, pray that we not take each other for granted, but truly appreciate what these good and dedicated parishioners do for all of us.”
I thought it good to build some kind of monument to Walt at St. Mark’s. Now I know the monument that is fitting. Other than placing his name on a bench near the statue of Mary, there is a far better monument to Walt, one more fitting to this humble worker: The monument I want us to build is a community in which more of us give of ourselves for the benefit of others. Some of our members do great service, and it is voluntary and unpaid, and I will not now mention their names. Believe me, you who help so freely and generously, your efforts are much appreciated. May Walt inspire more of our members to come forward and use our hands, our bodies, our hearts to work for all in our parishes. We have gifts. Let’s use them generously. Such service is the best monument to a remarkable man, Walt A. Osterman. In honor of Walt, as the best monument to such a good man, let us humbly work for the benefit of each other.
