Magyar News, 1997. szeptember-1998. augusztus (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1998-03-01 / 7. szám

by making his Solemn Profession. He began his theological studies at Mount Alvema Seminary in Wappingers Falls, NY. During his apostolic work there he began a commitment of empathy and compassion for the mentally challenged children and adults.

After completing his studies he embraced his life-long dream as he was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 10, 1967 by Most Rev. Nicholas DiAntonio, O.F.M., Ordinary of the Diocese of Olancho, Honduras, Central America.

His priestly ministry began at Mount Alverna Friary in Youngstown, Ohio where he served with great zeal, youthfulness and enthusiasm from 1967 - 1970 as he served his Hungarian Commissariat as Director of Formation and Financial Director of the Friaiy. He also lent weekend assistance to the Parish Community of Our Lady of Hungary in Youngstown. In 1970, Father Robert came to Fairfield and became the Parochial Vicar of St. Emery's and Vocation Director of his Franciscan Community. On September 24, 1977 he became the Fifth Pastor of St. Emery's, a position of loving and dedicated service he held until his recent illness. During his pastorate the task of merging St. Stephen's Hungarian Parish of Bridgeport, CT (1899 - 1971) was brought about with dedicated sensitivity and understanding.

Father Robert served his fellow Franciscan Friars as Councillor and later as Custos/Provincial from 1985 - 1985 until their merger into the Province of the Immaculate Conception (OFM) - New York City. He also served his new province by being a member of the Formation Council, the Retirement Committee and the Pre-Chapter Steering Committe of 1995. He also served the Local Church of the Diocese of Bridgeport as he was appointed to the Presbyterial Council in 1977.

He is survived by the Franciscan Friars, the Parish Community of St. Emery's, his brothers, Donald and wife, Andrea of Trumbull, Russell and wife, Debbie of Milford; his sister, Donna Elliott of Fairfield; and several nephews, a niece and grandnephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Father Robert's father, Andrew J. Nemeth, was bom into eternal life on Monday, January 12th, 1998 and together they enjoy the gentle embrace of the Risen Lord. Father Robert served as Chaplain to the St. Emery's Holy Name Society, the Fairfield Police Department- Regular and Special, the Fairfield Business and Professional Anchor Club - Branch 130, the Fairfield County Sheriffs Association, the El Poder Caravan #161 International Order of the Alhambra, The Connecticut State Alhambra, the Supreme Anchor Club of America and the Bridgeport Old Timers. He was a member of the Hungarian- American Priest's Association - East Coast Chapter and the Father Coleman Council #2616 of the Knights of Columbus.

FUNERAL

LITURGY

HOMILY

By Father John Bucchino, O.F.M.

January 15, 1998 St. Emery’s R.C. Church Fairfield, Connecticut

My dear brothers & sisters in Christ, we come together on this occasion to celebrate the life of Fr. Robert Nemeth: our brother, our friend, our fellow friar and priest, our pastor; we join our prayers with that loving action of our savior, Jesus Christ who rose from the dead that we may have life. There is no question, Fr. Robert, that we feel your absence greatly, we miss your smile, your joy, your enthusiasm and energy. We miss how expressive you were in your affection! We are happy that you are reunited with your mom, Marian, and with your dad, Andrew, who seemed to wait to take this one final trip with you. Yet we who are left behind feel sad! Your sister Donna, your brothers, Donald, and Russell, their spouses and children; we, your Franciscan brothers and all of your friends miss your warm presence. Some of us even wonder why it is that someone who is so life-giving was taken so soon?

But knowing you, you would not want us to remain sad. You would guide us to ponder God's Word, to find there comfort and assurance. The book of wisdom speaks about the measure of an honorable life: a life that is pleasing to God! That measure is not in the number of years, but in having an understanding and unsullied heart. If these are God's terms for what a full life means, then surely by your example you teach us what full and joyous living means! As one person who knew you said about you " He made the liturgies come alive." Imagine, making Christ come alive for others through one's personality and ministry!

What greater compliment can be given to a human being on this earth.

Even your last moments of physical life give testimony to living fully in the midst of death; Fr. Emeric, whom you loved dearly as a brother contacted me and shared how you faced your final moments; and I quote Emeric: " Fr. Robert was resigned to the fact that he was dying; but he had a peaceful way about him. We prayed together, then Bob received Holy Communion and was anointed. He smiled and soon after, closed his eyes and went to his eternal rest."

This snapshot into your spirituality: your peace of mind, your joyful heart, your faith, your love of Christ and the church, bring who you are and how you lived your life, into clear relief! And Bob, it was all summed up in your smile! That was your special gift! You made a lot of people happy with that smile; often accompanied with your " How you doing, Champ?” Your Franciscan joy and simplicity helped many of us to put life in perspective. Like Francis, you felt perfect joy in your heart, because you knew that the Lord was always near! You help us to understand Paul's words in Corinthians;

" We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day! "

My dear friends, Bob's joyful spirit was a gift that he had early on in his life. Others who met Bob always felt better about life! He entered the seminary with the St. Stephen King Custody of Hungarian Franciscans. He studied philosophy and theology with our Immaculate Conception province of Franciscans at Troy and Wappingers Falls, New York. Both professors and classmates all remark how congenial a person he was, and attest to the fact that they never thought of Bob as an outsider. He was always " one of us." What bound him to us was not just his joy, but also his ability to transcend specific nationalities or other differences. He just liked people! Later in his ministry Fr. Bob brought that same spirit as Custos of St. Stephen King, Custody of Hungarian Franciscans. He was able to facilitate the

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