Allen Lottinger's (Dad's) Funeral Live stream

video and memorial video

Eulogy for Dad

It is hard to capture in words the love and gratitude I have, and I’m sure my siblings have, for our beloved Dad.

I’ve found it very fitting through the years that his middle name is Joseph. He emulated some of the great attributes of St. Joseph: He had a quiet humility despite being very gifted in many ways. As well, he was a very hard worker and faithful provider for our family.

One aspect that stands out with Dad is SELFLESS SERVANT – along with Mom of course, -- who was as well.

Dad and Mom taught us so much just by who they were.

Another amazing attribute I so appreciated in Dad was his great kindness toward everyone. Even our Aunts said they were always touched by his generosity. (Many stories could be shared here but not the time.) And, I never heard him speak one negative or judgmental word about anyone. He always gave others the benefit of the doubt.

But, I must say for myself, I am most grateful to Dad for raising us his family in the Catholic Faith and the Sacramental life of the Church, which no doubt has brought many graces to our family. I didn’t appreciate it growing up, but now realize what a profound blessing this has been.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE:

Dad was so adventurous in his quiet, humble way; taking us on trips throughout the country, into Mexico many weekend when we lived in Laredo, and a month-long European vacation as we got older.

I look back and see the courage and grace Dad had to do so much with 6 children in such a peaceful way.

And, then, the “lighter note” HIGHLIGHT, possibly for all of us, was Dad buying the camp at Grand isle way back in 1969 for very little money and moving it to the beach front. We watched as our new playhouse on the beach went up. No air condition or heat. One bathroom for all, including the huge Moreau family and friends when they came.

No TV, and of course no cell phones or computers to distract us.

There seemed a certain blessing from God on the Camp, because it brought us together as family in: simplicity, a certain austerity, and various adventures:

From crabbing to fishing, to seining, to floundering, to bonfires and hopscotch on the beach, to swimming, boating and skiing, to crab boils, fish fries and the famous Easter egg hunts (with the Moreau Aunts hiding eggs – [even in dead fish remains at times for a laugh]).

We often spent our summers in Grand isle while growing up, and I remember when we’d drive over the bridge in leaving, I would often have quiet tears in my eyes, which I don’t know quite why, other than that our family experience there, which God seemed such a part of, was so meaningful.

This may seem as though I’m speaking more of Grand isle than Dad, but in fact not.

Because, Dad, and the blessing he was to us, was at the heart of why our lives were so rich in many ways.

FAMILY WEAKNESSES:

Now, certainly, as we know all families have their share of strengths and weaknesses; so I would like to share a little story, that especially touched me, of the preciousness of Dad, even amidst being aware of a weakness of his.

Within the last 20 years I was blessed to have some very special times with Mom and Dad; and even Meemaw before she left us.

We would share with one another on a deeper level. We would share about the strengths and weaknesses of our family. Even a couple of times we went to Generational healing Masses to pray for healing of the Family Tree.

One evening Dad, Mom and I were having a little LISTENING HEART RETREAT, to foster having a better listening heart with GOD, SELF AND OTHERS.

To share briefly the context:

Pope St. John Paul II, during his pontificate, identified the spirit especially plaguing the Church in our time. A UTILITARIAN SPIRIT: that our identity is in what we do, not who we are as children of God. He confronted a dualism that many Catholics have of not inviting God into our deeper heart to have a human, spiritual integration. I certainly fell into this, as so many.

As the saying goes, often the longest journey in life is from the head to the heart.

So, Mom, Dad and I were reflecting on how important it is to not repress or discount our feelings, but to give ourselves permission to feel when we are hurt, or things are difficult, in order that we can invite God, His love and His Truth in, to bring healing and grace; which in turn allows our faith life to be meaningful, and for us to better listen to and love one another.

And dad, in his childlike humility, knowing that he had been wounded by this, asked in response: How DO I get more in touch with my heart and my feelings?” (being a Man… and part German descent, all the more it wasn’t a strength of his.)

I was inspired to give him this Sacred Heart of Jesus picture and said:

“Do you see how sensitive and disposed Jesus’ Heart is? He has the CROWN of THORNS around His Sacred Heart, to depict that He is so deeply in touch with His Heart and His feelings, and of course inviting the Heavenly Father in. A clear example of this is the Agony in the Garden, when Jesus shared his great suffering with Our Heavenly Father, and invited Him in.

I then said to Dad, “Ask Jesus to help you!”

He was very open to doing so, as He looked deeply at the picture and seemed to be asking Jesus in the quiet of his heart to help him.

And, sure enough, as time passed, I would see Dad gradually beginning to be more in touch with his deeper heart, in order to invite God, and Mary, in.

Always Deep Down, DAD LOVED GOD VERY MUCH!

In the more recent months when he would come to visit in Mississippi for some time, we’d pray the Rosary, go to Holy Mass, and he would receive the anointing of the sick and other priestly blessings, and he would say, “OH… (with a big, long sigh)…I’M SO HAPPY!” (with deep peace and contentment about him).

God was preparing him for life eternal with Him .

And, I can only imagine the joy Dad must have experienced when he encountered Jesus face-to-face; and of course his beloved Colette, Ann, and others who have gone before him. (Dad always wanted to leave when Mom did, but God had other plans.)

In closing, I had a dream many years ago, where I believe God revealed Dad to me in his glory. He was so beautiful, radiating God’s goodness and filled with joy, love and peace.

I know we can’t presume our loved ones are in Heaven, and it is of utmost importance to pray for their souls, because they greatly desire us to do so if they are in purgatory; but I do believe if Dad is not in Heaven, he is well on his way there, and our prayers are helping him along the way.

And, even now I don’t feel far from Dad, and even closer still, because I know there is only a frail thin veil between us separating the different dimensions of the Church: Triumphant, Suffering, and Militant. And I feel especially close as I unite with Dad in prayer before the Eucharist, which brings Heaven to earth, where all of us can encounter our loved ones who have gone before us in the most profound way.

THANK YOU DAD, FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR US. WE LOVE YOU, AND PRAY FOR YOU!!! Please pray for us!

Allen Lottinger's Funeral Live stream video:
Rosary @ 3min, Eulogy @ 35 min., 59 min.
Rosary, Eulogy, Funeral Mass

Also, inspiring Tribute video of Allen Lottinger's life
by Lauren Lottinger Clark