Back Door You Say? Is There A Back Door To Heaven Mary Mitchell?

By Kathleen Walsh Mulcahy 

An open letter to the Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell.

Let me begin my letter wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and great joy in the New Year.  

I am on the mend from the flu that kept me in bed or by my fire place with a cup of hot tea, not allowing me to venture out for the past week. Today was re-entry to the outside world and social media and found . 

Before reading your opinion I read my Advent reflection which I would like to share with you too. 

During these grace-filled days of waiting, O Lord our God, you urge us to put off our robes of vengeance and blame. Rather, the cloak of justice and righteousness must be our raiment. 

May the wisdom of your Son enlighten our Advent days, for the world’s hills of pride need still need leveling, valleys of human complacency need to be filled with acts of justice and peace. Then in exultant joy shall we all observe the coming of your Son today and tomorrow and ever more in divine glory and power. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Back door you say? Is there a back door to heaven Mary? 

Nothing riles up Beverly Residents like being told that we are suggesting that 'anyone' should go to the back door or that our community ignores history. In fact many of us are rooted deep in world history of all Nations under God.

After reading your article, I assume you don't know the Troost family. I met Scott Troost, son of Robert "Bob" Troost this year at a meeting at our 19th Ward Office and have had a number of other dealings with Scott and his Mt. Hope Staff. 

Bob Troost was an accomplished cemeterian for 46 years, husband of Dorothy Troost and father of four children. I read, that in his spare time he 'traveled the world wide with his family'. Another man, like many of us in our community seeking and sharing history, rooted in awareness and fascination.  Most recently Scott Troost has stepped into his father's position of cemeterian. 

The residents of Beverly are hoping that Scott will continue his mother and father's legacy safely serving our community while serving people during the most difficult time of their lives. 

Back door you say?? The second opening to Mt. Hope has always been there but not utilized. In the many dealings of the Mt. Hope issue I have NEVER EVER heard anyone refer to a back door. Second entrance to alleviate traffic back up, yes.

I feel certain, I can say, during these funerals I did not see you present inside or outside the cemetery. Please kindly correct me if I am wrong. I sat outside Mt. Hope many times. I also sat inside the cemetery in prayer observing 20 some funerals on a Saturday afternoon. I was there much longer than I anticipated.

My heart went out to the many family and friends who wanted to exit the cemetery after burying a dear loved one. The emotion in their vehicles brought me to tears.

And they all sat along side of me inside their vehicles, inside the cemetery waiting to drive away and release in private the devastation of knowing that their loved one would not be there this Thanksgiving, Christmas, graduations, engagements, weddings. Ugh! They waited for 20 some other funerals to process in and form a grid lock with no way in out or around for up to 30 minutes or longer.  

In regard to your statement of the sign that stated 'Respect the Living and the Dead' -  that sign was made in my home with one of my dear friends the evening prior to the Silent Protest. 

Your interpretation of protesters 'demanding' is another error on your part.We began our silent protest, 200 people holding hands in prayer. Shared prayer for mourners coming into our community. And prayers for the safety of the people of our great City who are exposed to such tragic violence resulting in intimidation, harassment and now to no ones surprise death.  Or as you refer to it in your article, "acting a fool". 

I will gladly share with you our community prayer upon your request. I also want you to know that mourners in the processions smiled and waved to us, gave us a thumbs up, shared the sign of peace and some signed thank you to us as we do to our military when they are seen in public. It was refreshing to stand quietly during the silent protest in prayer and share the sentiment of Peace for the living and the dead with fellow mourners. 

We, the 19th Ward, will continue to hold our heads high in prayer with the attitude always of kindness and compassion in the face of this calamity and every other calamity presented to the families of the 19th Ward. Mary, you may want to check your facts in the category of HISTORY! We are families rich in history and traditions. And not one of us believes that there is a back door to Heaven. 

Note to Mary Mitchell at the Chicago Sun Times: Create positive change. Believe that together we can make a difference. Send out peace. Think, act and speak harmoniously. Show others the way of peace. Speak kind words and you Mary will receive kind echoes.

 I truly hope you sincerely seek wonder and find it this Christmas season.