To Celebrate a Life of Love: Bennie Jean Schladoer O’Neill
July 7, 1933-April 12, 2021
Bennie Jean Schladoer O’Neill was born in Bandera County on July 7, 1933. She died peacefully in San Antonio on Monday, April 12, 2021, having reached the age of 87 years and 9 months.
Bennie was born at home on the family farm on Mason Creek, just north of the town of Bandera. As she grew, she helped her parents with all manner of farm work while also attending public schools in Bandera, graduating from Bandera High School in 1950 at the age of 16. After graduation, Bennie found work in Bandera as a telephone operator, and later, a clerk in the courthouse. It was during this time that she met Patrick O’Neill of Hondo, and they were married on January 12, 1952.
Pat and Bennie started their family in Hondo but later moved to San Antonio. In the summer of 1968, the family relocated to Amarillo. During her adult life, Bennie held a variety of jobs including secretary, bookkeeper, and data entry clerk. In 1993, Pat and Bennie retired to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, but later returned to the Texas hill country with a move to Pipe Creek. After Pat died in May of 2010, Bennie lived independently for a time, but a series of medical problems forced a move to San Antonio to be nearer to family and health care.
Although caring for her family occupied most of Bennie’s time, she enjoyed a variety of activities; especially those related to the outdoors and nature. She always described herself as a “country girl” who would fish, camp, and care for her garden and pets when given the opportunity. Bennie was a competent photographer and seamstress, and an excellent cook. She also enjoyed dancing and was fond of traveling.
Bennie was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Ney O’Neill, her parents, Benjamin Schladoer and Fleta Joiner Schladoer, and her younger sister, Lois Ann Schladoer Schulte. She is survived by two brothers, Richard Schladoer with his wife Patricia, and Ernest Marvin Schladoer with his wife Vivian, as well as Alfred Schulte Jr., her brother-in-law. She is also survived by five sons and a daughter: James Patrick and his wife Deniese, Ben Earl and his wife Belen, Robert Michael and his wife Maria, Richard Marvin and his wife Loraina, Thomas Lee and his wife Annie, and Jean Marie and her husband Jim. Additionally, there are sixteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held in San Antonio at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd. on May 29, 2021 at 9:00 AM. The funeral mass will also be streamed live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG2BMS68OJA. Interment for both Patrick and Bennie O’Neill will immediately follow at Pipe Creek Cemetery.
For those who prefer a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio and South Texas, 10223 McAllister Fwy., Suite 100, San Antonio, TX, 78216, or www.alz.org.
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Staying Together
One of my favorite authors is Meg Wheatley. Her 2002 publication, Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future, is a book that almost 20 years later is offering inspiration to me today. The quote from that book that has been on my mind throughout this pandemic, this time of distancing and separation—some chosen to be healthy and safe, and some that has been caused by a difficult national election, a difference in political views, some differences about religion, and a lot of Facebook or other social media postings that draw the line between “us” and “them.” I assume that none of us “likes” what we are experiencing. When families are divided by beliefs, it becomes particularly distressing.
Meg Wheatley writes: “You don’t fear people whose story you know. Real listening always brings people closer together. Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world. Rely on human goodness. Stay together.”
In the Gospel for this weekend, we are reminded about what a Good Shepherd does to keep his herd together. In the midst of all the distancing and division, the longing and yearning that we have had for connection, to be together, we need time to have some simple conversations. We need each other. We need to turn to one another. I assume that we want to “stay together” as one flock.
I invite us all to reflect on each of the words in Wheatley’s quote. In many ways, I personally can hear Jesus’ words and actions in that quote. It describes the world described in Acts of the Apostles. It describes our world, our city, our community.
We have several opportunities to enter into simple conversations that identify and name what we are individually and collectively willing to do to “stay together.” Join us for our Parish ReConnect experiences on Sunday from 12-1 in person for the first gathering. Other times are listed at http://sfasat.org/parishreconnect/. Please come!
Third Sunday of Easter
Recognizing the Lord
After the Resurrection, Jesus has a hard time being recognized. Mary Magdalene thinks he is a gardener. The disciples on the road to Emmaus think he is a stranger who didn’t know anything about the week of events. And in this week’s Scripture, the men and women followers think he is a ghost. Until he eats real food with them.
I have been thinking a lot about what it means to eat real food with others who are considered gardeners, strangers, and ghosts. In many ways, these are often people I just don’t know, or I don’t know them YET! John in the Epistle for this weekend says we can’t say “I know him” referring to Jesus without keeping the commandments. Knowing people and actions that do not hurt people go hand in hand. If we know Jesus, or claim to know Jesus, we are treating people the way Jesus would. What would Jesus do, the famous rubber bracelet expression of some time ago, becomes a measure of both our knowledge of Jesus and the actions that follow.
For weeks now, I and a growing number of St. Francis parishioners, have been putting our faith into action. We, like Jesus, have been recognizing some of the same sufferings of our brothers and sisters in SA and Bexar County that Jesus confronted. With love, compassion, and mercy, Jesus recognized the ways in which those who had power exercised it was convenient to their way of thinking, their idea of economics, and their view of who should succeed. Jesus challenges and confronts; Jesus creates tension with those who have power and authority. Jesus acts to change the policies that kept people outside, separated from access to the fullness of life.
What was the disciples’ task, having recognized the risen Lord, and having seen that he “opened their minds to understand the scripture,”? Is our task now to preach the good news of God’s mercy and goodness to all? Is it our task to act on those teachings?
This Sunday from 3-4:30, citizens of all faiths, from all over the city will hold candidates for public office accountable for priorities that I feel confident Jesus would support. COPS/Metro leaders have spent many hours during this past year advocating for gardeners, and strangers, and “ghosts.” Ghosts can simply be the people we “don’t see” because we never go to their part of town.
In this past year, during this time of isolation, I realize that I have come to know my brothers and sisters on all sides of town through action with them. Now that I know them, I cannot turn away. I have “recognized them” in “breaking open the word” of Scripture.
I may not need or benefit from what they are asking for; but because we are the “community that holds all things in common” from Acts of the Apostles and the “beloved community”—our relationship to each other that activists (people who act on values, priorities, and love for each other) ACT on. To know them is to advocate for them—to live God’s commands of love of neighbor.
Putting the Gospel into action this week means that I will be at that Accountability Session on Sunday afternoon. I invite you to join me and others from our parish.
Here is the Zoom link to register: www.copsmetro.com/accountability_20210418
Here are the priorities identified that we are asking support for: http://sfasat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/COPSMetro-Issues-Agenda.pdf
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Aliene Joyce Randol
September 28, 1939-April 6, 2021
Aliene Joyce Randol, 81, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. She was born the middle child of three children on September 28, 1939 to Alvin and Rose Stanush. Aliene grew up in San Antonio. Both of her parents were Polish. She married the one and only love of her life, Ernest Randol, on February 15, 1958. They had four daughters and one son. They lived exciting lives of racing speedboats, summers at their lake house, water and snow skiing tournaments, building boats, creating inventions, dancing, shopping in Mexico, and always being the talk of the town. After the death of her beloved husband, Aliene made a courageous life change and moved to East Texas where she purchased acreage and cattle. She taught herself trades and provided for her children. She was resilient. She was strong, loving, wise, patient, playful, kind, faithful, petite but fierce, with a passion for family and the Lord.
Mrs. Randol is survived by her five children, Karen Bell of San Antonio, Texas, Michelle Heiser of Mansfield, Texas, Roxanne Trenkelbach of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ernest Randol, Jr., of Seguin, Texas, and Jennifer McCloud of San Antonio, Texas, and their significant others, Ray Bell, Brian Heiser, Curtis Trenkelbach, Mary Ford, and Pete McCloud. Grandchildren include Meredith Hughes, Shane Hughes, Samarie Goodman, Rebecca Delph, Shelby Trenkelbach, Colby Trenkelbach, Clint Trenkelbach, KarieAnn Randol, Macie Randol, Mattie Peach, and Colton Randol.
Great-grandchildren include Lukas Goodman, Christian Matthews, Ryleigh Goodman, TaylorRose Matthews, James Richter, Connor Goodman, Maven Matthews, Marshall Goodman, Isla Matthews, Olive Beeson, and Canon Beeson. Her sister is Rosemarie Esparza, and was preceded in death by her brother, Alvin (Buddy) Stanush. She was also loved by many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Francis Nursing Home for their exceptional and loving care of Mrs. Randol.
The funeral Mass will be at 1:30 pm on Friday, April 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Alfonso R. Chua, Jr.
January 27, 1947-April 8, 2021
Alfonso Riparip Chua, Jr., was called by God on April 8, 2021, in San Antonio, TX. He was born on January 27, 1947, in Tarlac, Philippines. He is survived by Myrna Chua, his loving wife of 43 years, and his children, Justin Chua and Courtney Chua Stevens.
Alfonso possessed an incredible work ethic. He worked tirelessly as a professional civil engineer and finished his career as a vice-president at Pape-Dawson Engineers. He also loved to care for his home, where he and his family have lived since 1985. He was an avid mountain bike rider and took long bike rides to the Texas Hill Country on weekends. Alfonso was a devout Catholic and attended weekly mass at St. Francis of Assisi since the church’s founding.
Alfonso possessed a fighting spirit and was above all a devoted husband and father. He will always be remembered for his tenacity, strength, and deeply loving nature.
Second Sunday of Easter
The Easter AWE!
“The community of believers was of one heart and one mind…” I know without a doubt that all of us learned something about ourselves during this past year. We learned it about ourselves as individuals, as couples, as families, as a parish community, as a compassionate city, as a country, and as world citizens, as explorers of the universe. Did we get closer to being of “one heart and one mind” as Jesus envisioned life after His resurrection?
Jesus was so present to his disciples. He showed them the way. To reinforce the witness He had given, the teaching He had done, the ways of being with them, He spent even more time with them. He had them experience the power that they had to heal, to show mercy, to care for all. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles does just that. They held all things in common and everyone had all they needed.
This “holding all things in common” is a real struggle for us. Perhaps we have had inklings of what that is like as we shared during the ice storm in mid-February. Perhaps we get glimpses of that knowing that we can care for migrant children who come here with nothing. Perhaps those who have had COVID-19 are sharing their blood to provide antibodies for those who are fighting the virus.
As we enter the time of recognizing signs of “new life”—the meaning of resurrection—we are being given opportunities to name the ways that we can be of “one heart and one mind” and to “hold all things in common.” During this time of Jesus’ reinforcement of His teachings, the boosters that He gave His disciples, we too are entering into a new journey, a new way of being community.
We don’t know exactly what that looks like or feels like. All we know is that we have been waiting, we have been learning, God has been working in our lives. It is time as we journey to Pentecost to open our minds and our hearts to how we want to be with each other in the future. We can’t go back to the past, the way it was. It is a different time. We are different. We have the opportunity to re-connect, to renew relationships, and to form new ones. What are we willing to do, who are we willing to be when we too have the opportunity to live and to be as the community described in ACTS?
This is our call to be witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus. Only then can we call ourselves disciples. Only then do we enter into the dance of discipleship: Accompany, Welcome, and Encourage—the very real AWE of Resurrection!
May we all be filled with AWE!
Easter Sunday
So You Must Do
Did we fall asleep last night as we entered into the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus? Jesus asked that his followers pray and be present, to recognize the anguish of suffering. On the first night of the Holy Triduum, we too were asked to be aware of the suffering of many in our world today, to pay attention, to not fall asleep.
Ron Rolheiser observes that in John’s gospel read last night, we don’t hear about the institution of the Eucharist. The gesture of washing feet replaces that institution. Ron says, “It specifies what the Eucharist is in fact meant to do, namely, to lead us out of church and into the humble service of others.” Jesus modeled a new kind of leadership and service.
Each Sunday, we are sent with words like, “Go forth and live the Gospel.” Yes, we are indeed being led out of church and into service.
“As I have done so you must do.” To bow and to kneel, to act with love and compassion, to recognize the humanity and goodness of all of God’s creation is to do as Jesus did. Jeannine Grammick offers some ways that we wash feet today.
We wash feet when we make a phone call to a friend inviting her to dinner or a party. We wash feet when we smile at a senior citizen and bid him a bright “Good morning”. We wash feet when we scratch the chin of a cat, stroke her fluffy fur, and hear her purr “Thank you”. We wash feet when we write to our Congressperson or the White House to support a proposed bill to enhance human welfare or end violence.” (paxchristiusa.org/2021/03/31/reflection-for-holy-thursday-april-1/)
One of my favorite songs at Easter is “Roll Away the Stone.” Easter 2021 seems the perfect time to acknowledge the need we have to see the Glory of God. Let’s roll away all the stones and tombs depicted here, all the “they have been saying” and proclaim new life! We rise too when we cast away the stones and the tombs in our lives. Let it be so this Easter!
These are the lyrics to “Roll Away the Stone”
They have been saying all our plans are empty.
They have been saying “Where is their God now?”
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
They have been saying no one will remember.
They have been saying Power rules the world.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
They have been saying no one hears the singing.
They have been saying all our strength is gone.
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
They have been saying “All of us are dying.”
They have been saying “All of us are dead.”
Roll away the stone see the Glory of God. Roll away the stone.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Col. Edward J. Taylor, Jr.
COL Edward J. Taylor Jr., 84, died peacefully on March 12, 2021 after a courageous battle of cancer-related illnesses complicated by COVID-19 pneumonia.
Edward J. Taylor Jr. was born to Edward J. Taylor and Lucy Woodburn in Albany, New York. He graduated from Bethlehem Central HS in 1954. He attended Cornell University in Ithica, NY, was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Administration in 1958. In 1977, Ed received a Master of Science Degree in Business Management from Indiana State University.
COL Taylor was commissioned a Regular Army Officer in the Medical Service Corps in 1958. Upon completion of the Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In 1959, he reported to Camp Wolters, Texas for Rotary Wing Training and was assigned to the 54th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance Unit) in Korea as a H-13, litter pod equipped, Medical Evacuation Pilot. He then served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot with the 45th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and Schweinfurt, Germany following the Company’s deployment to Europe during the Berlin buildup.
Ed met his “Rose of San Antone,” Roswitha Erika Salmela in San Antonio and they were married at the Ft. Sam Houston Main Chapel, on July 11th, 1964, where he served with the 82nd Med Det (HA). In 1965, he was assigned to the 57th Med Det (HA), the original “DUSTOFF” unit, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, as the Operations Officer and Medical Evacuation Pilot.
COL Taylor returned to the United States to attend the Officer Advanced Course at Ft. Sam Houston and upon completion of the course he was assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia as Executive Officer of the 197th Armed Helicopter Company and in 1968 he returned to the Republic of Vietnam to assume command of the 82nd Med Det stationed in Soc Trang.
COL Taylor returned again to Ft. Sam Houston and then later went on to attend Command General Staff College in 1970 in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as Aviation Officer, 7th Medical Brigade, and then the 30th Medical Group and Commander, 32nd Combat Support Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany. In 1973, he was assigned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and from 1978 to 1984, served with the Combat Development, Academy of Health Sciences, Ft. Sam Houston.
In 1984, Ed returned to Europe as Senior Medical Staff Officer for the Office of the Command Surgeon, Headquarters United States European Command, in Vaihingen, Germany. While in that position, he was instrumental in medical evacuation for released hostages and the development of medical support plans for anticipated terrorist activities. Ed’s final assignment was as Product Manager for the TAMMIS Project at Ft. Sam Houston.
COL Taylor retired from his thirty years of distinguished military service on November 1, 1988. His military education includes Rotary Wing Aviation, and Command and General Staff College, as well as a Master Army Aviator with 1500 combat hours and a total of 3100 flying hours.
COL Taylor was awarded the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
He has been recognized with the Order of Military Medical Merit, the Sikorsky Aircraft “Flying S” Lifesaving Award and is a life member and past president of the DUSTOFF association.
Upon retirement from the Military, Ed joined a fellow military comrade and worked another 10 years with North American InTeleCom, as VP of Operations. He also volunteered with the Census Bureau and the Valero Texas Open for many years. Ed always enjoyed a round of golf with his buddies and joining his fellow “SOLO” Pilots for luncheons.
Ed and Rose found great enjoyment in their travels across the United States and beyond. They became frequent “Cruisers” and embarked on many adventures. They are founding members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where they served as RCI sponsors and the Welcoming Committee for many years. Together, they created a beautiful family and shared a loving marriage of nearly 58 years. Ed loved making memories with Rose, their daughter’s, and husbands, and five grandchildren, cruising to Caribbean ports, lounging on the beautiful beaches of Mexico, and ski trips to Colorado and Utah.
Ed will be remembered for his love of animals, intense faith, humility, honor, and love of his country and the Flag of the United States of America.
Edward J. Taylor Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Donna Collins. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rose; daughters, Monica Jendrusch (Alan), and Jenine Beckel (Brad); grandchildren, Taylor and Lindsey Jendrusch, Nicole Bingham (Ryan), and Brandon and Clayton Beckel; and niece and nephew, Kimberly and Michael Collins.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors and staff at Brooke Army Medical Center for their dedication and compassionate care, VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit for their empathy given to him during his last few days.
ROSARY:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021
7:00 PM
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DE ZAVALA ROAD
MASS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
11:00 AM
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DE ZAVALA ROAD
GRAVESIDE SERVICE WITH MILITARY HONORS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
1:00 PM
FT. SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Ed’s memory, please consider the U.S. Army Medical Museum (AMEDD) at Ft. Sam Houston; AMEDD Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 8294, San Antonio, Texas 78208 or Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation; P.O. Box 369, Kendalia, Texas 78027.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Living the Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross, or the Stations of the Cross, a devotional prayer of the Catholic Church, has taken on new meaning for many of us during this past year—what many of us call not just a season of Lent, but also a YEAR of Lent! As I recall the events of this past year and hear the reading of the Passion of Jesus, I am reminded of the ways in which the Way of Jesus has come to focus in the grief and suffering of so many. For many of us, this year has awakened us. Like the disciples, we have fallen asleep to so much.
When I was teaching high school religion, I would ask my students to create their own Stations of the Cross using modern images of how we identify with suffering. Who and how are people today condemned to death? Who are their accusers? How are people today stripped of their dignity, called names, spat on, whipped, and tortured? In what ways do people fall, over and over again, being forced to “carry a cross?” Who are the persons who help to carry the cross? Who offers to “wipe the face of Jesus?” Who among us have been burying the dead? Who dies by execution today? Who keeps watch over the graves? Who stays with, persists in attention, and believes in resurrection?
In Jerusalem, people walk the Via Dolorosa, places designated as stopping points to pray and remember in the midst of all the busyness of the streets, the vendors, the residences, the churches. The way of the cross is in the midst of the realities of our lives.
Each Lent, I look for different versions of the Stations of the Cross—those that have meaning for me in the midst of life. This year I was caught sleeping about many ways of seeing others. Here are two that I suggest.
https://www.crsricebowl.org/stations-of-the-cross
April 2, 2021 at noon – Good Friday Stations of the Cross with FutureChurch Staff
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Michael Hotard
December 7, 1957-March 4, 2021
Michael Hotard, 63, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Fayetteville, NC, on December 7, 1957, to parents, Mary Elizabeth and Joseph Leonce Hotard, III. Prior to sustaining a traumatic brain injury on May 17, 2004, Mike was a General Surgeon who attended Central Catholic High School (’75) and St. Mary’s University (’79) of San Antonio, TX. In May of 1979, he was commissioned into the Army and in 1984 he obtained his medical degree from USUHS School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD.
Mike’s military service included stints throughout the U.S, as Brigade Surgeon, Emergency Room Physician, Trauma and General Surgeon and Chief General Surgeon. He also served as Trauma Team Chief during Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia. In 1999 Mike left the military as a Lieutenant Colonel and went into private practice as a General Surgeon in Colorado and later in Liberal, Kansas. Mike was Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Colorado Chapter. He was a Member of the Colorado Medical Society and the Kansas Medical Society. He was also an instructor in advanced Burn Life Support and had been published in several medical journals.
Mick, as he was known to friends and family, was an active athlete – an accomplished skier, hiker, cyclist, and rugby player. He loved rock-n-roll and was known to blast music in his operating rooms. He was a talented and accomplished surgeon as well as a wonderful father, uncle, brother, son, and friend. He was funny, outgoing, a great cook, and loved to have a good time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph L. Hotard, III and Mary Elizabeth Poursine Hotard. Michael is survived by his daughter, Cessly M. Hotard; his former wife Angie and Dan Yaeger; his sister Mary Beth (Beth) and Daryl Manning; brothers James R. (Rick) and Nita Hotard, and Robert (Bob) J. and Cheryl Hotard; nieces Bryn Manning, Anne Marie Weldon, Christy Rosenfeld, Katie Steinhoff, Teresa Hotard, and Linden Hotard; and nephews Jeff Manning, Alex Manning, Rickey Hotard, and Graham Hotard.
The family would like to thank Mike’s caregivers who lovingly and diligently spent over 15 years taking care of him: Mary Martin, Rhoda (deceased) and Ronnie Golla, Juanita Hart, and Patricia Dominguez.
A memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd. on April 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM beginning with a Rosary, immediately followed by Mass. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam National Cemetery (Family members only).
Due to safety concerns, we encourage you to join us online instead of in person. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://youtu.be/Uy6aH1F4kK4.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association of America. In San Antonio, please give to the Alamo Head Injury Association.