Thank you Fr. Louis Emil For Blessing Us in Renton USA

Renton residents are saying goodbye to Fr. Louis Emil, a special man from Ghana who touched many hearts after arriving in our community last November. Sent by his bishop to the Archdiocese of Seattle, Fr. Louis Emil journeyed far to Renton to serve: learning a new culture, eating new foods and loving a new people.

Fr. Emil was assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony Parish. Renton’s rich diversity made him feel at home. Check out a world map and you’ll find Ghana on the West Coast of Africa, the side nearest to America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The nation is made up of over 100 ethnic groups.

A survey conducted by the Gallup International Association in 2012 showed Ghana was the most religious nation in the world. 72% are Christian and nearly 18% Muslim. Religious tolerance and excellent relationships are prized. Fr. Emil brought this spirit along with his joyful and kind presence to Renton.

He celebrated masses in Renton at St. Anthony Parish in cooperation with Fr. Jack Shrum, pastor, and sometimes at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish with Fr. Ed White, pastor. People grew to love his passionate, insightful homilies. Clark Thompson, Grand Knight of St. Anthony Parish’s Knights of Columbus Council, states he likes the passion that Fr. Emil brings to his sermons, “He not only says it, he feels it, and wants you to feel it.”

He had surprises, fun and was open to new opportunties. Shortly after he arrived in November Renton had its first winter snow. “It was beautiful but a little cold.” At 61, Fr. Email had never seen snow and went to get his first winter jacket.

At times Fr. Emil spontaneously unleashed a joyful song of praise at the end a homily. Many parishioners found it very moving.

Longtime Renton resident Dick Combs and retired St. Anthony Parish deacon invited Fr. Emil to preside at mass for the residents of Gen Care Renton at the Lodge overlooking Downtown Renton. Fr. Emil readily agreed to bring spiritual comfort and friendship to elders who find attending Sunday masses challenging. “The residents really liked him and will miss his presence,” said Jim Ramseth, a good friend of Deacon Combs.

He got into the spirit of his first St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Fr. Emil donned an Irish Hat and green t-shirt at the Knights of Columbus’ 33rd annual Renton seniors free breakfast at the Renton Senior Activity Center. A senior himself, he enjoyed this annual tradition. "The breakfast was inspirational. It gives seniors a day of enjoyment." St. Patrick's Day festivities unites young and old and "it's an opportunity to remind young people about St. Patrick."

Pat Ramseth, St. Anthony parishioner and Eucharistic Minister, came to know Fr. Emil's kindness in two special ways. One day she was bringing consecrated hosts from St. Anthony Church for hospital visitation and Fr. Emil asked what she was doing. She was going to bring communion to people at Valley Medical Center. Fr Emil asked if he could come, and together along with her husband, they made such visits for months. “I could feel the presence of the spirit as he talked with patients...he gave hope and strength to some very sick, and joy to many others,” Ramseth states.

In April Pat Ramseth became critically ill and could no longer make the hospital visitations. “Now it was his turn to visit me, except at my home.” The caring priest brought her Eucharist and prayed with her regularly. “I could absolutely feel the power of the Lord and the strength and hope that it brings,” adds Ramseth. Her husband Jim says that Fr. Emil's prayers have made all the difference in the world for his wife.

During June he participated in the ordinations of two young Renton men, Fr. Lou Cunningham and Deacon Benjamin (Ben) Bray who both grew up in Renton and attended St. Anthony Parish. He joined with Archbishop Sartain, Bishop Mueggenborg, priests, deacons and people from around Western Washington to pray for and encourage them. Like Fr. Emil, they are dedicating their lives to making a difference as priests and were grateful for his presence at their ordinations.

The priest from Ghana learned a new game this summer in Renton. He took part in his first water balloon toss at the St. Anthony Parish Picnic. Taking a step back after every successful catch and tossing to St. Anthony parishioner Richard Bray, he bombed a water-pack balloon to Bray from about 40 feet away and it exploded all over him. Fr. Emil beamed in victory. “Beginner’s luck,” laughed Bray totally soaked.

Since his own son will be ordained next June, God-willing. Bray asked Father how a dad can best support a son nearing priesthood. Fr. Emil shared some practical wisdom on what his father did that Bray says "I will treasure."

Fr. Emil also experienced the ARISE program for homeless men housed at St. Anthony Parish during assigned months as part of rotating community locations. "People from different faiths and no faiths coming together is something I admire." Community building among homeless men and volunteers also impressed him.

Renton River Days, Renton's signature summertime event, was a thrill for Fr. Emil. He enjoyed activities at Liberty Park and prayed with St. Anthony volunteers staffing a booth there. Most especially he loved the Renton Rivers Day Parade with the music bands, drill teams, horses and displays. "The parade was exceptional. We don't have parades like this is Ghana." Ted Rodriquez, 2018 Parade Grand Marshall and Deacon at St. Anthony Parish, spied Father during the parade route, waving enthusiastically to him.

Oh course coming to the Seattle/Renton area wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Space Needle. A St. Anthony family graciously took him to the Seattle landmark. Arriving and seeing how tall 605 feet really is, Fr. Emil didn't want to go up. Somehow they got him into a packed elevator from which he couldn't escape. "I had no choice." Up he went! Surprised at how quickly it went to the top, he walked around and enjoyed the spectacular view of Seattle and beyond, his anxiety disappearing.

On August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he celebrated mass at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish as part of visiting priests from Ghana, India, and Uganda. The international priests showed the universality of the Catholic Church. St. Stephen's pastor Fr. Ed White joked “the priest shortage is now over at St. Stephen.”

Fr. Emil also served as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus council at St. Anthony. The Knights obtained a car for Fr. Emil to use, making it easier for him to visit the sick and injured at Valley Medical and serve people in need. The Catholic fraternal organization, which fosters faith and charitable giving, proudly made him as an official member of their Order. The Knights will award him a plaque for outstanding service to the Renton community during a goodbye celebration. Fr. Emil’s last day at St. Anthony is Aug. 26. St. Anthony Parish had a farewell celebration earlier.

A holy, Catholic priest such as Fr. Emil can bring solace to a family at the death of a loved one. Provides the”Bread of Life” to parishioners. Encourages the discouraged. Sits down with the homeless and shares a meal with them. Administers forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ, bringing healing and reconciliation. Inspires people to become the best version of themselves. Prays for the sick and much more. He is a spiritual father to many and his impact can be life-changing to a person, sometimes in just a single encounter. And he can energize a congregation to greater worship, caring and service.

"He was very humble. He had a spiritual relationship with Jesus and would always pray before the Blessed Sacrament," says Sr. Maria Phuong Dinh, who serves at St. Anthony Parish and a member of Lovers of the Holy Cross religious community.

Pete Williams, parishioner and member of St. Anthony Parish Finance Council, shared that Fr. Emil is a man of great compassion and “he is friendly, easy to get along with and completely dedicated to serving others.”

Even though the priest from Ghana was far from home, the parishioners of St. Anthony and St. Stephen "made me feel like family" and he enjoyed meeting many other people throughout Renton.

But as he prepares to leave Renton, this man of God wants all to know what he truly values. "I eat the Eucharist to empower me to live. As a priest I serve and partake of the Eucharist. It gives me grace to live my celibate life. I become what I eat."

Renton residents privileged to know Fr. Emil will be always grateful to the Church and people of Ghana for sharing this wonderful priest with us. Thank you Fr. Emil for blessing us in Renton USA. Godspeed as you return home. You demonstrated to us so well the words of Mother Teresa, “Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”