Fr. Gene Zoeller

Father Eugene Zoeller was going to die within a month. Dialysis, which had kept him alive, no longer worked. Without it, swelling would begin soon. Only by a miracle could he be spared the suffering that came with kidney failure death. With these dire statements, the doctor gave Father Zoeller and his brother bad news.  

The news spread quickly to his many friends in the Louisville community. Visitors came, eager to see him. A prayer service presented in his honor gave many of his friends the opportunity to see him one last time. At his beautiful service, they prayed and sang together, commended his soul to God, and said farewell to their beloved friend. In the days that followed Father Eugene was active and outgoing, greeting all who came to see him with cheer. He put others who sought him before his own illness, while greeting them with care and respect. Meanwhile his family mourned and prepared for his coming death.

Father Zoeller looked at it in a different way. He had a "month" to live his Christ-centered faith. He knew Christ as a person and loved His presence. He loved to meet people person to person, because he knew Christ entered them in the human care and concern he gave them. The "month" was a wonderful gift. Many people wanted to visit Eugene at this time, and Christ wanted to enter them through Eugene. He was free to take part in anything that brought people to him and he to them.  He celebrated Mass every day. His presence magnified Christ's Eucharistic presence. He spent many hours at his greeting post in the lobby, welcoming those coming and going with his gentle smile, peaceful manner, and warm touch. When Archbishop Kurtz... Read More