Sept. 21, 2022 I can’t think of an event that’s stuck in my brain as much as this one has, especially one I didn’t attend. Last week, a path lined with Stations of the Cross was dedicated and blessed at Siena College in Loudonville. The path, Peyton’s Path, honors the memory of Peyton Morse, who died in March 2021 after suffering a medical emergency during training at the New York State Academy of Fire Science (see the full story here). In addition to a sign honoring Morse, the path includes Stations of the Cross that were formerly located in St. John the Evangelist Church in LaFargeville, a church that closed in 2021. While I wasn’t able to make the trip to Loundonville for the dedication and blessing, I’ve thought about that event a lot this week. I’m sure part of why the story stuck with me is because I think about what Peyton’s family has been through since his injury and passing. I’m fairly sure losing a child is every parent’s nightmare. I pray for the Morse family. More than that, though, I keep coming back to fact that the blessing and dedication event was all about resurrection. Peyton’s Path is a resurrection of sorts for the Stations of the Cross from St. John the Evangelist Church. From the loss of life in the church building, the stations are experiencing new life, now in a location where the students and employees of Siena College, as well as visitors and residents of the surrounding communities, can reflect on them and pray with them. More than that, though, it’s our belief in the resurrection of our savior and the gift of eternal life he secured for us that assures us Peyton isn’t just gone forever. It brings us hope that we’ll be with him again. That also sticks with me. |
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