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The kind people of Holy Name lovingly crafted 100 yellow ribbons for those that want to keep Jason close in their minds & hearts by displaying a ribbon in their yard. They also made ribbons for all the vigil participants to wear & served cookies & lemonade after the service. The media graciously waited for us to finish greeting those that came, & we greatly appreciate their beautiful coverage of the service & of Jason's story in general. Many people told us how we bolster their faith, but it is they, who in expressing their kind words, strengthen ours.
We've had many requests for the transcript of Jim's talk at the service, so I will post it here in its entirety:
On behalf of Kelly, Michael, myself and the entire Murphy and Jolkowski families We say thank you. Very often we're told how strong we are. If truth were told we would not be able to make it through each day without your outpouring of love and kind deeds.
To name every act of kindness bestowed upon us by our parish family here at Holy Name, co-workers at Nebraska Furniture Mart and DTN, friends, neighbors, the media, and the Communities of Omaha, Council Bluffs and Grand Island would be very time consuming. But rest assured we will be forever grateful for each and every one of you who have brought forth the love of Jesus to us while we are struggling with the disappearance of our loved one, Jason.
I really like the theme of tonight's service, "A Prayer Service of Hope" because at this point that's what we have---Hope. Memory is one gift of God that separation cannot destroy. We remember Jason's strength in God and his ability to overcome many obstacles and hope that it is this very strength that brings Jason home to us very soon.
Many times in the past 5 weeks, Kelly and I have been asked "Are you mad at God?" Well, I know you know the answer to that question, (see FAQ page) But I have to admit I did have a moment of weakness last week and I would like to share this experience with you tonight.
While praying in the Neumann Chapel here at Holy Name I was asking in my prayers; "WHY? WHY MUST WE SUFFER? WHY, LORD HAVE YOU LET THIS SUFFERING GO ON FOR SUCH A LONG TIME?"
After a few moments, I felt as Jesus had come & sat down beside me and put his arm around me and said; "Jim, My son, welcome, into a new depth of my love.
In your dark times your friends have rallied around you. In My hour of need, My Apostle, Judas, betrayed me, my friends deserted me. My best friend denied me. The community has been your strength and support. My community cried out in anger: "Crucify Him!" They crowned me with thorns, beat me, whipped me, and nailed me to a cross. Pick up your cross and share in my Love." Suddenly my pain seemed so small compared to that of Jesus' Passion.
Even if we don't get our Jason back, we hope that what we have experienced and shared with you may bring us all to a closer and continuous relationship with God. All of us suffer in one way or another, whether it is physical suffering, the loss of a loved one, or other personal hardships. Tonight, we come together uniting our suffering with that of Jesus Christ. If we share in this suffering, we shall also share in His Glory.
I will close with a prayer called "In the Valleys I Grow":
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