Fr. Todd Reitmeyer

The report comes to me that the man killed in this watercraft accident on Lake Travis near Austin yesterday was Fr. Todd Reitmeyer, longtime blogger, priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. It is heartbreaking to read his latest blog entries as he prepared for and began his vacation with his family in Texas.

Requiescas in pace, Father Todd.

A friend of Fr. Todd posts a tribute on his blog.

Comments

[Rich Leonardi]

Oh heavens. He's been bookmarked for some time in my favorites folder. Requiescat in pace.

[thomasina]

Looking through his archives I found this post from January: http://www.fathertodd.com/blog/archives/2006/01/still_out_here.html

His priestly work had for obvious reasons been making him think about death and how difficult managing the practical decisions can be for family and he had been "working on his own funeral." So, perhaps he was even more prepared (both internally and externally) for this than most good young priests would be.

[Ellyn]

Unbelievable.
(I am thinking about a recent conversation with my spiritual director in which I posited the possibility of my own death and he said something along the lines of "Of course, your family would be devastated. But for you...is that the worst that could happen? As a Christian?)

So, yeah, it stinks for his family, his flock, his friends and the Church in general. But for Fr. Todd?

[Father Ethan]

I am truly broken. I can't beleieve it. He was a nice man and a good priest.

Rest in Peace!

[midwestmom]

How sad. This will be a blow to the Diocese of Sioux Falls, I'm sure, especially since they have a vacant see. Perhaps Bishop Carlson will return for the funeral.

We will pray for the repose of Father Todd's soul and peace for his family.

[Fr. John T. Zuhlsdorf - o{]:¬)]

Requiescat in pace!

[Maureen O'Brien]

We ought to put up a page to remember those of St. Blog's who've joined the Church Expectant and/or Triumphant. Our alumni page, as it were.

[Lily]

Heartbreaking.

[thomas tucker]

Oh my. I watched the news story last night on local news, but the identity of the victim was never disclosed. I never expected that it was someone whose blog I have read. What a loss- he was such an admirable priest. We need so many more like him, and now we have one less.

[midwestmom]

To make matters worse, it sounds as though the person on the other PWC was either a friend or relative. Devastating.

I just got onto Fr. Todd's blog; the irony of the last line in the second thread hits you right between the eyes.

[Touchy Technician]

Left on this sad shore,
I pray his bright and loving heart,
Burns in love's long home.

Rest in the light and peace of God dear Father Todd.

[lourdes]

May the angels lead him into paradise and may the good Lord console his family and especially the little girl whose first communion he was going to celebrate on Saturday. Rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon him.

[Nathan]

Sad sad sad sad

I have no doubt that he is with God. I will pray for his family, friends and parishioners.

Stephen

[Michael Tinkler]

Oh my!

Fr. Todd was the first other blogger I met -- he was finishing up at the North American College the semester I was teaching in Rome. He invited me to lunch at the NAC and gave me a splendid tour.

He was already developing into a fine, fine priest, as one could tell from reading his work.

Oh, well - we'll have another friend in Heaven.

[katymalone]

My heart goes out to the parishioners, many of whom I know, since I grew up in that little town on the prairie. Never met Fr. Todd, but I followed his blog and, yes, he was one of the good young guys. Fr. Todd, pray for us.

[cathy]

immediately, my hand went to my mouth and I cried "oh my God". I never met him, but probably "knew" him like others, from his blog. Such a young, generous, orthodox young man. A priest.

[Fr. Shawn O'Neal]

The seeds he planted will bear great fruit. Some young man will say one day that he wants to follow the example of a young pastor he knew and loved.

I pray that his family, his loved ones, and even any enemies he might have had feel the peace and comfort I trust he feels.

[Jimmy Mac]

Apropos his manner of death:

1. Lord, you have come to the seashore,
neither searching for the rich nor the wise,
desiring only that I should follow.

2. Lord, see my goods, my possessions;
in my boat you find no power, no wealth.
Will You accept, then, my nets and labor?

3. Lord, take my hands and direct them.
Help me spend myself in seeking the lost,
returning love for the love You gave Me.

4. Lord, as I drift on the waters,
be the resting place of my restless heart,
my life's companion, my friend and refuge.

O Lord, with your eyes set upon me,
gently smiling, you have spoken my name;
all I longed for I have found by the water,
at your side, I will seek other shores.

[Rosemarie]

+J.M.J+

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world, in the Name of God the Father Almighty, Who created you; in the Name of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Who suffered for you; in the Name of the Holy Ghost, Who was poured forth upon you; in the name of the glorious and ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; in the name of St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the same Virgin; in the name of the Angels and Archangels; in the name of the Thrones and Dominations; in the name of the Principalities and Powers; in the name of the heavenly Virtues, Cherubim and Seraphim; in the name of the holy Apostles and Evangelists; in the name of the holy Martyrs and Confessors; in the name of the holy Monks and Hermits; in the name of the holy Virgins and of all the Saints of God: may your place be this day in peace, and your abode in holy Sion. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

Traditional Catholic Prayers for the Dying:
http://home.nyc.rr.com/mysticalrose/dying.htm

In Jesu et Maria,

[Rosemarie]

+J.M.J+

Actually, the url above is to the old page, with the prayers tailored specifically for JPII. Here is a better link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~mysticalrose/dying.htm

In Jesu et Maria

[David Hick]

God Bless You Father Todd. Rest in Peace.

[Tom A]

I knew Todd from the years of 1988-1993. It wasn't until I heard this story did I know he had become a priest; but from his open advice and open heart he shared even back then, I can see how wonderful he must have been for his parishioners and family. He will be missed.