Editor's Note Seeing ‘many hats’ By Darcy L. Fargo

December 13, 2023

“My continued amazement at the many hats you wear.”

“Thank you for your editorials and the many hats you wear.”

“May God continue to assist you in wearing your many hats.”

My email inbox contains dozens and dozens of emails with similar lines. They were all sent by the same person, Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore, as he submitted his weekly column for this newspaper.

I never thought much about the fact that Msgr. Whitmore commented so regularly on my “many hats” – my varied roles as mother, wife, editor, reporter, photographer, paginator, communications director, volunteer… – until this week, when I learned of his passing.

Now I tear up when I think about it.

Msgr. Whitmore was acknowledging me. He was acknowledging one of the more challenging aspects of my life. He saw me as more than just the editor to whom he submitted his weekly columns even though my role as editor was my role in his life. He saw me as a whole person – a person with a lot of responsibilities and commitments.

That’s not something most people acknowledge in others.

Msgr. Whitmore wasn’t most people.

Nearly everyone I’ve spoken to about Msgr. Whitmore this week and everyone I heard speaking about him commented on his kind, loving, gentle spirit.

“He made everyone he talked to feel important and loved,” one person said.

I couldn’t agree more. He made me feel important and loved. He made me feel acknowledged and seen.
I hope and pray he knew how important and loved he was.

As a tribute to Msgr. Whitmore and his longtime role with this newspaper, we’ll continue to run Scriptural Reflections he prepared through the end of the year.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.