eMatrimony.org

Supporting, Encouraging, and Challenging the WWME Community

  News - Local

A Tribute to Fr. Tony Diacetis

Fr. Emile Frische

Dear Lovers,

Most of you will have seen the emails announcing the passing of Father Tony Diacetis on Friday, September 16, 2005. We got to hear of this at the Section Meeting in Albany that Friday evening. Jim & Gerri Gibney and Fr Tony are the Ecclesial Team for WWME in Albany. Jim & Gerri shared the news with us after the dialogue session on Friday evening. It was a real blow for all of us there at the meeting. When I heard it, I said to Mike & Mary Gibbons, 'I was just getting to know Fr Tony'. We prayed our Rosary for him and the people he served in WWME and in Our Lady of Grace parish, and the Army.

Fr. Tony Diacetis

Mike Gibbons cruised by the Franciscan Sisters place in Hastings on Hudson to pick me up on Tuesday morning. We were heading up to Albany for the funeral of Fr Tony. The parking lot was jam packed. Cars were parked along the road for quite a distance. The church was packed to overflowing. Straight off, we met 3 WWME couples from Albany as we walked into the church. It was great to be met by Family. Yes, we were saying our farewells to another family member, and that is never easy.

I had my alb and WWME stole with me and so got into my stuff and waited for the procession to begin. Loads of clergy were there. I heard after the Mass that the majority of the Albany priests were there for the funeral. It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. Bishop Hubbard was the main celebrant. He told us at the end of the Mass that Fr Tony had prepared everything for his funeral. He had asked that the Bishop not sing! He obliged by not singing. A Methodist Army Chaplain shared a lot about his ministry with Fr Tony. It was very obvious that Fr Tony was loved by all he came into contact with. There was so much that Fr Tony did quietly for people, letting them know that they were important and valued. He shared his property, he shared his gifts, he shared his life with so many. I got to hear that Fr Tony had a doctorate in Canon Law and that in the 1980's he was the president of the Canon Law Society in America. He spent a lot of time with his brother priests in sharing groups. Relationship was primary for him.

You see, we have more saints in our WWME Family than we realize. It was great being up there for this funeral and hearing all these qualities of this good priest. Mike and I shared lunch with Jim & Gerri and Ed & Rhonda after the Mass and learned more about Fr Tony. He will be missed. He certainly is loved.

Peace and Blessings.
Fr. Emile Frische

Click here for a printable version (PDF, 15KB)