Recently we went for our year end visit to the cemetery. Below the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus lie 4 Oblates. Going from the right side after Mr. Narui, are Fr. Ward, Fr. Robitaille, Br. Tsuda and Fr. Stevens. No matter when we go, we've always seen beautiful flowers there. The first to be buried here was Fr. Ward and the most recent was Fr. S trevens.
On Fr. Ward's marker it is written 'September 4, 1975, 48 years old'. He was too young when he was called. If he were still living he would be 7 1 years old. It is impossible to imagine Fr. Ward who was always smiling, always looked young, was always full of humor in the shape of a 70 year old.
I received a very special gift from Fr. Ward on the occasion of my visit to Washington, DC in May 1968. That is where the Oblates of the Eastern Prov-ince had their headquarters. At the time, with the help of Fr. Simons, I had gone on a tour to research the reality of social welfare. Fr. Ward was in the States at the time so he spent a whole day leading me around the Human Welfare Department and other human welfare institutes. Thanks to his kindness I was able to observe with admiration the advances made in the States in the area of social welfare and the expertise with which it was done. I was able to remove the scales that covered my eyes and I am still so very grateful.
At the same time I would like to mention Father's special talents for painting and sculpture. We were always drawn by this. Because of this I built up my courage and asked him to leave us some-thing to remember him by. One day he took a detour and visited us and gave us a painting. This was a painting he made of the face of Christ as it shown on St. Veronica's cloth. This was such a beautiful painting. After all the trials of the Way of the Cross Jesus' face had a look of forgiveness and compassion on it. Right after he gave us this paint-ing he went to Koga parish. In time he returned to the States for open-heart surgery and was called to his reward. It was so sudden! It was a matter of great regret.
Forty eight years old, just in the prime of life! For us he was an important messenger of evangeliza-tion. Looking back, this painting ended up being his last work of art. Looking at it many times brings to mind the selfless love of Christ for us. At the same time I see Fr. Ward's love and life. Thank you Fr. Ward .
Parishioner Akaoka Mission Toshi TAKEDA