HOLY CROSS CHURCH - WENDELIN, ILLINOIS
Phone: 618-752-5671 - E-Mail: holycrosschurch@illiniwireless.com
Phone: 618-752-5671 - E-Mail: holycrosschurch@illiniwireless.com
© 2012 Holy Cross Parish - All Rights Reserved | MapQuest Directions| Diocese of Belleville
5782 Ingraham Lane Newton, Illinois 62448 - Phone: 618-752-5671 Fax: 618-752-6006
5782 Ingraham Lane Newton, Illinois 62448 - Phone: 618-752-5671 Fax: 618-752-6006
When Father David Braun died Dec. 30, 2009 he had been very ill with cancer and then Parkinson’s disease, but the people cared deeply for their pastor who had been with them for so many years.
They took him to doctors’ appointments and treatments, checking on him daily, making sure he was all right.
Father David had planned his funeral, but he could not have known how many people would miss him, want to let others know what he meant to them. Here, The Messenger has given the people of St. Joseph’s in Stringtown and Holy Cross in Wendelin a chance to express their thoughts.
From Robbie Ginder, St. Joseph’s
Father Dave was a very special part of our parish. He was a sincere, compassionate, caring individual and was an excellent example of what a priest should be. I have been a Catholic for 50 years and he is the only priest I can ever remember telling the congregation on more than one occasion that he loved us. He will be greatly missed in our parish and community.
From Jenny & Pete Seiler, Dundas
“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” This saying can apply in so many different areas of our lives. Today it makes me think of the sudden loss of our priest at Stringtown, Father David Braun. I am left realizing just how fond I was of him.
I began attending Mass at Stringtown with my husband 11 years ago, as a non-Catholic. I felt ‘at home’ at this church right away. He was so down-to-earth and talked to everyone just like he was a regular person.
Father David officiated at our wedding. I remember him being particularly excited about our music that day, since we had both the violin and organ. Father David had a great love for music and he said he could just picture himself up there in the choir loft playing with them.
In 2002 I decided to join the Catholic church. I credit much of this decision to Father David’s welcoming attitude toward me. One of my fondest memories of the RCIA process was when Father David hosted the group in Wendelin and played the organ for us. He played beautifully and I was captivated. (Not long after that, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and he always said he missed playing his music so much.)
Father David was such a great storyteller. I always thought he should write a book about his adventures. I loved reading his stories in the bulletin every Sunday. You never knew what (or who) he would write about next!
I was totally shocked when I heard that Father David had passed away. I guess I had been lulled into a false sense of security due to his cancer being kept at bay for this long. I thought there would be more of a slow decline, time to prepare. For his sake, I am glad that wasn’t the case.
This past Sunday in church, it totally hit me that life at our church will never be quite the same. When the procession began, and the priest (the fill-in) came out of the sacristy, the robe was there, but the wrong person was in it. I suppose it will feel like that for a long time to come. My life was one of many that Father David has touched. He will be missed.
From Bill Zuber, St. Joseph’s
Father Dave — The Stringtown St. Joseph Parish will really miss you. I will miss the times we had going to and from Mass. The Ford always lost! You even learned to like to ride in a Chevy truck or a Buick car. I will also miss being able to chauffeur you when you needed a ride. I enjoyed our talks as we were riding along. Thanks, Fr. Dave for being my pastor, good friend and buddy.
P. S. Put in a good word for me when you are talking to God.
From Tim and Anne Crites, St. Joseph’s
Our family will truly miss Fr. Dave. We were blessed to have him baptize both of our daughters. He had a unique way of making everyone feel accepted. Even when he was struggling with his illnesses, he demonstrated a quiet strength and a remarkable sense of humor. His little jokes at the end of Mass were great! The parish was fortunate to have had Fr. Dave as a pastor. We are all better people because of him.
From Mary Zuber, St. Joseph’s
I enjoyed working on the RCIA team with Fr. David for several years. He was always well-prepared when presenting a topic. More importantly, he brought a genuine love for the Catholic Church — the People of God. Catechumens, candidates, and team members appreciated that.
My favorite times with Fr. David were at Wednesday Masses at Stringtown. He motored over in his Ford although only 11 or 12 “apostles” participated. He nourished us with the Eucharist, enlightened us with his short homilies, and befriended us with his chats after Mass.
My Aunt Estella said it best when she told him, “When I look at you, I see the face of God.” Would that we all show God’s face to others as Fr. David did!
Auf Wiedersehen, Father David.
From Mary Johnson, Holy Cross, Wendelin
I probably never knew him as well as some of the helpers but my observations are that he always made sure the Mass was done reverently and respectfully. As I travel the country and attend Mass at various places, I was almost always left in appreciation of our Holy Cross Parish and Fr. David. In many places the altar boys and or girls appeared improperly trained or inattentive, the liturgy was changed to where I wasn’t even sure if a valid consecration had occurred. Fr. David’s sermons were shorter than some but he wasn’t afraid to speak on topics that other priests fear to bring up, such as the importance of Sunday attendance, abortion, etc. I think our church is truly beautiful because of the influence of Fr. David and I hope it never changes.
From Darla Cummins, St. Joseph’s
Fr. Dave came to St. Joseph’s right around the time my husband and I were married. Although my husband is of a different faith, that never seemed to be a problem with Fr. Dave. My husband is a teacher, and on one particular Sunday after Mass, Fr. Dave stopped him and wanted him to have a bell that he used to keep on his desk when he was teaching. He apparently used it to get his students’ attention. He thought maybe my husband could use it in his classes. My husband was very moved by this gesture, but he never took the bell to school, rather he put it away for safe keeping. I never thought much about that bell until the night that Fr. Dave passed away. I was thinking about Fr. Dave and how much we were going to miss him, and before my husband went to bed, he came out to where I was and said “I rang Fr. Dave’s bell for him today, because his, too, was a wonderful life.” We will always remember Fr. Dave’s witty sense of humor. He made us laugh many times, and we are so thankful for his time with us.
From Carl & Debra Seiler St. Joseph’s
Fr. David was a wonderful priest who had a genuine knack for making friends and endearing himself to you. He will always live in our hearts and memory.
From Gary & Dorothy Zwilling and the Girls: Laura & Sam Sterchi, Bridget, Melany, Kenzie, & Rachel Zwilling, St. Joseph’s
We really liked Fr. Dave because of his perspective on life. No matter what the situation he always kept in perspective. He could always find the good in the situation no matter what it was — even his trials with his illnesses. He had a great sense of humor and he would always show us the lighter side of the situation. He will also be remembered as a kind and gentle man that had compassion for others suffering from sickness even while he was battling a greater fight for his health. He was truly following Christ’s way of giving of himself whole heartily and never asking what was in it for himself. He gave his life and love unconditionally for his parish families and the Church. God Rest his soul!
We were so thankful for him to celebrate the wedding of our daughter, Laura, this past June 13 to a wonderful son-in-law, Sam Sterchi. The other girls remember the birthday family dinners Father Dave attended at our house while they were growing up and how he would bring something special to the celebrations. Father Dave was also there for us when my father passed away. Father Dave provided a wonderful Mass of celebration of my dad’s life. Father Dave was full of life and giving of himself. We were so blessed to have him in our lives.
From Jason Warfel, Holy Cross
When a priest measures his time in a single parish, not in months or years but in decades, his impact and legacy is without question. Over the past 20 years, Father David was an ever-present part of daily life in Wendelin (Holy Cross) and Stringtown (St. Joseph). For many of the younger parishioners in both parishes, Father David was the only priest we can recall and the one who inspired so many of us to remain active in our faith and parish family. When we recall our first Communion, first penance, confirmation, marriage, or a death in the family, the constant through them all was our Father David. It is hard to imagine our parish life without such a remarkable man, but we take comfort in the fact that Father David prepared us well to continue and always strive to grow in our faith. Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Father David can be found in the unquestionable respect the younger generation had for our pastor. Each year during our 5th-grade PSR lesson on saints, it never failed that a handful of students would often comment, “When Father David passes away, he’ll be a saint.” What always amazed me was these students weren’t asking “will he be” but stating what they believed to be an almost certain fact. While, Father David may never be officially canonized by the Church, in Wendelin and Stringtown it is hard to imagine that he shouldn’t be recognized for the extraordinary life he led by example.
From Phyllis Prosser
God gave us a special gift when he sent Fr. David Braun to our parish of Holy Cross Church in Wendelin. We were blessed to have such a giving man in our parish family for 20 years.
May Fr. David Braun now rest in the everlasting arms of our Heavenly Father, and feel the love and gratitude of his parish family he inspired.
From Jerry, Laura and son, Jerald Eckl
Over the years, Fr. David, naturally very kind to everybody and always toward my way, even when I needed more proof before going to the Philippines that I was "never" married before (just in case I did) and made several copies all signed by Fr. David. His comment was, as long as Martha types for retakes, I'll keep signing until we get it right, with a pleasant smile. Well, it definitely helped even before the Bishop of Cebu and our marriage and nine months and a week later our son, Jerald, was born. Fr. David always asked how he was doing, as well as his mother, Laura, until they got here in the USA. In the meantime, my mother Hermenia (Fehrenbacher) Eckl passed away July 2002 shortly after Jerald was born and wouldn't take his fee for presiding at mother's funeral, stating you need it for your new family to get home. At my mother's funeral, I read a short poem in rembrance of our mother and after the service, Fr. David mentioned that it was better than his usual sermons. In September 2007 we had our wedding reception at Holy Cross Parish Center and Fr. David was eager to be there for prayer services. Then at the parish's last children's Easter Egg Hunt, Fr. David talked endlessly about the Philippines and their wonderful Catholic people. The very last Sunday, Fr. David's Mass before Christmas 2009, I asked Fr. David if it was okay to pray for global warming for this winter, and he smiled and said it was all right with the most lasting pleasant smile. I'll never forget it. Love you Fr. David forever.
They took him to doctors’ appointments and treatments, checking on him daily, making sure he was all right.
Father David had planned his funeral, but he could not have known how many people would miss him, want to let others know what he meant to them. Here, The Messenger has given the people of St. Joseph’s in Stringtown and Holy Cross in Wendelin a chance to express their thoughts.
From Robbie Ginder, St. Joseph’s
Father Dave was a very special part of our parish. He was a sincere, compassionate, caring individual and was an excellent example of what a priest should be. I have been a Catholic for 50 years and he is the only priest I can ever remember telling the congregation on more than one occasion that he loved us. He will be greatly missed in our parish and community.
From Jenny & Pete Seiler, Dundas
“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” This saying can apply in so many different areas of our lives. Today it makes me think of the sudden loss of our priest at Stringtown, Father David Braun. I am left realizing just how fond I was of him.
I began attending Mass at Stringtown with my husband 11 years ago, as a non-Catholic. I felt ‘at home’ at this church right away. He was so down-to-earth and talked to everyone just like he was a regular person.
Father David officiated at our wedding. I remember him being particularly excited about our music that day, since we had both the violin and organ. Father David had a great love for music and he said he could just picture himself up there in the choir loft playing with them.
In 2002 I decided to join the Catholic church. I credit much of this decision to Father David’s welcoming attitude toward me. One of my fondest memories of the RCIA process was when Father David hosted the group in Wendelin and played the organ for us. He played beautifully and I was captivated. (Not long after that, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and he always said he missed playing his music so much.)
Father David was such a great storyteller. I always thought he should write a book about his adventures. I loved reading his stories in the bulletin every Sunday. You never knew what (or who) he would write about next!
I was totally shocked when I heard that Father David had passed away. I guess I had been lulled into a false sense of security due to his cancer being kept at bay for this long. I thought there would be more of a slow decline, time to prepare. For his sake, I am glad that wasn’t the case.
This past Sunday in church, it totally hit me that life at our church will never be quite the same. When the procession began, and the priest (the fill-in) came out of the sacristy, the robe was there, but the wrong person was in it. I suppose it will feel like that for a long time to come. My life was one of many that Father David has touched. He will be missed.
From Bill Zuber, St. Joseph’s
Father Dave — The Stringtown St. Joseph Parish will really miss you. I will miss the times we had going to and from Mass. The Ford always lost! You even learned to like to ride in a Chevy truck or a Buick car. I will also miss being able to chauffeur you when you needed a ride. I enjoyed our talks as we were riding along. Thanks, Fr. Dave for being my pastor, good friend and buddy.
P. S. Put in a good word for me when you are talking to God.
From Tim and Anne Crites, St. Joseph’s
Our family will truly miss Fr. Dave. We were blessed to have him baptize both of our daughters. He had a unique way of making everyone feel accepted. Even when he was struggling with his illnesses, he demonstrated a quiet strength and a remarkable sense of humor. His little jokes at the end of Mass were great! The parish was fortunate to have had Fr. Dave as a pastor. We are all better people because of him.
From Mary Zuber, St. Joseph’s
I enjoyed working on the RCIA team with Fr. David for several years. He was always well-prepared when presenting a topic. More importantly, he brought a genuine love for the Catholic Church — the People of God. Catechumens, candidates, and team members appreciated that.
My favorite times with Fr. David were at Wednesday Masses at Stringtown. He motored over in his Ford although only 11 or 12 “apostles” participated. He nourished us with the Eucharist, enlightened us with his short homilies, and befriended us with his chats after Mass.
My Aunt Estella said it best when she told him, “When I look at you, I see the face of God.” Would that we all show God’s face to others as Fr. David did!
Auf Wiedersehen, Father David.
From Mary Johnson, Holy Cross, Wendelin
I probably never knew him as well as some of the helpers but my observations are that he always made sure the Mass was done reverently and respectfully. As I travel the country and attend Mass at various places, I was almost always left in appreciation of our Holy Cross Parish and Fr. David. In many places the altar boys and or girls appeared improperly trained or inattentive, the liturgy was changed to where I wasn’t even sure if a valid consecration had occurred. Fr. David’s sermons were shorter than some but he wasn’t afraid to speak on topics that other priests fear to bring up, such as the importance of Sunday attendance, abortion, etc. I think our church is truly beautiful because of the influence of Fr. David and I hope it never changes.
From Darla Cummins, St. Joseph’s
Fr. Dave came to St. Joseph’s right around the time my husband and I were married. Although my husband is of a different faith, that never seemed to be a problem with Fr. Dave. My husband is a teacher, and on one particular Sunday after Mass, Fr. Dave stopped him and wanted him to have a bell that he used to keep on his desk when he was teaching. He apparently used it to get his students’ attention. He thought maybe my husband could use it in his classes. My husband was very moved by this gesture, but he never took the bell to school, rather he put it away for safe keeping. I never thought much about that bell until the night that Fr. Dave passed away. I was thinking about Fr. Dave and how much we were going to miss him, and before my husband went to bed, he came out to where I was and said “I rang Fr. Dave’s bell for him today, because his, too, was a wonderful life.” We will always remember Fr. Dave’s witty sense of humor. He made us laugh many times, and we are so thankful for his time with us.
From Carl & Debra Seiler St. Joseph’s
Fr. David was a wonderful priest who had a genuine knack for making friends and endearing himself to you. He will always live in our hearts and memory.
From Gary & Dorothy Zwilling and the Girls: Laura & Sam Sterchi, Bridget, Melany, Kenzie, & Rachel Zwilling, St. Joseph’s
We really liked Fr. Dave because of his perspective on life. No matter what the situation he always kept in perspective. He could always find the good in the situation no matter what it was — even his trials with his illnesses. He had a great sense of humor and he would always show us the lighter side of the situation. He will also be remembered as a kind and gentle man that had compassion for others suffering from sickness even while he was battling a greater fight for his health. He was truly following Christ’s way of giving of himself whole heartily and never asking what was in it for himself. He gave his life and love unconditionally for his parish families and the Church. God Rest his soul!
We were so thankful for him to celebrate the wedding of our daughter, Laura, this past June 13 to a wonderful son-in-law, Sam Sterchi. The other girls remember the birthday family dinners Father Dave attended at our house while they were growing up and how he would bring something special to the celebrations. Father Dave was also there for us when my father passed away. Father Dave provided a wonderful Mass of celebration of my dad’s life. Father Dave was full of life and giving of himself. We were so blessed to have him in our lives.
From Jason Warfel, Holy Cross
When a priest measures his time in a single parish, not in months or years but in decades, his impact and legacy is without question. Over the past 20 years, Father David was an ever-present part of daily life in Wendelin (Holy Cross) and Stringtown (St. Joseph). For many of the younger parishioners in both parishes, Father David was the only priest we can recall and the one who inspired so many of us to remain active in our faith and parish family. When we recall our first Communion, first penance, confirmation, marriage, or a death in the family, the constant through them all was our Father David. It is hard to imagine our parish life without such a remarkable man, but we take comfort in the fact that Father David prepared us well to continue and always strive to grow in our faith. Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Father David can be found in the unquestionable respect the younger generation had for our pastor. Each year during our 5th-grade PSR lesson on saints, it never failed that a handful of students would often comment, “When Father David passes away, he’ll be a saint.” What always amazed me was these students weren’t asking “will he be” but stating what they believed to be an almost certain fact. While, Father David may never be officially canonized by the Church, in Wendelin and Stringtown it is hard to imagine that he shouldn’t be recognized for the extraordinary life he led by example.
From Phyllis Prosser
God gave us a special gift when he sent Fr. David Braun to our parish of Holy Cross Church in Wendelin. We were blessed to have such a giving man in our parish family for 20 years.
May Fr. David Braun now rest in the everlasting arms of our Heavenly Father, and feel the love and gratitude of his parish family he inspired.
From Jerry, Laura and son, Jerald Eckl
Over the years, Fr. David, naturally very kind to everybody and always toward my way, even when I needed more proof before going to the Philippines that I was "never" married before (just in case I did) and made several copies all signed by Fr. David. His comment was, as long as Martha types for retakes, I'll keep signing until we get it right, with a pleasant smile. Well, it definitely helped even before the Bishop of Cebu and our marriage and nine months and a week later our son, Jerald, was born. Fr. David always asked how he was doing, as well as his mother, Laura, until they got here in the USA. In the meantime, my mother Hermenia (Fehrenbacher) Eckl passed away July 2002 shortly after Jerald was born and wouldn't take his fee for presiding at mother's funeral, stating you need it for your new family to get home. At my mother's funeral, I read a short poem in rembrance of our mother and after the service, Fr. David mentioned that it was better than his usual sermons. In September 2007 we had our wedding reception at Holy Cross Parish Center and Fr. David was eager to be there for prayer services. Then at the parish's last children's Easter Egg Hunt, Fr. David talked endlessly about the Philippines and their wonderful Catholic people. The very last Sunday, Fr. David's Mass before Christmas 2009, I asked Fr. David if it was okay to pray for global warming for this winter, and he smiled and said it was all right with the most lasting pleasant smile. I'll never forget it. Love you Fr. David forever.
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