Holy week marked the one year anniversary of the death of a dear friend and mentor in my life, Fr. Ken Opat, OSC. Fr. Ken died last April, yet he continues to stare at me from my bulletin board at work, on a prayer card that says just below his picture “What a beautiful difference one single life made.”
The sentence rings so true – not only in reference to Opat’s life and the incredible impact he had on thousands both directly and indirectly through founding the Central Minnesota TEC program and being a part of many of the program’s retreat weekends. But it also rings truth as an important reminder to myself. It reminds me that, while I may never be an Opat, or a Mother Teresa or an Oscar Schindler or others of such incredible impact, I can be a Kateri. And in being me and living my life to its fullest, using all the gifts and knowledge and love I have been blessed with, I too can make a beautiful difference. I can be a loving mother; I can be a conscientious consumer; I can be a prayer warrior; I can be a good listener; I can be a responsible steward; I can be a Christ-like presence. I can be a lot of things, all of which have the power to make a beautiful difference in the lives of others, and in our world.
It may sound cliché, and maybe it is. But somehow I know that cliché or not, I no longer can use any excuse not to act upon it. Because of the many, many things that Fr. Ken taught me over the years I was blessed to know him, the one I am reminded of each time I look at his prayer card is that even though the man somehow managed to get away with a lot of stuff in his life, he never let me get away with much of anything. He’d call me out; he’d tease me; he’d let me know exactly what he expected; he’d be sure I did a dang good job; he’d find a way (in that way only Opat could) to make me push myself to greatness in the hopes of an Opat-compliment, no matter how obscure or off-handed. Yes, there was no getting away with mediocrity around this man. So I know there’s no way that my friend in Heaven is going to let me get away with failing now – including failing to make some difference. Fr. Ken had a way about him of making our world a dangerous (in a great way) place while he was here, through his ability to move others, and move them towards Christ. And though my heart still grieves his absence with us, I must say that I am glad knowing that the world is now a more dangerous (in the best way) place now that Opat is in Heaven keeping an eye on us. Just think of what can happen with that addition to the communion of souls and saints! Yikes - watch out Heaven! And watch out world – we’re not going to get away with anything anymore! So we might as well not even try; we might as well just go ahead and make a difference.
It’s time to live up to the example set for us by Opat. May all of our memorial prayer cards read, “What a beautiful difference one single life made.”
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Additional note: The following is a part of my blog post written in December of 2008, after Central Minnesota TEC’s 30th Anniversary celebration. It still rings true.
But in between the two plays, was a wonderful celebration for Central Minnesota's Together Encountering Christ (TEC) program. The weekend marked the 30th anniversary of TEC in the St. Cloud Diocese. It was also the retirement party for Fr. Ken Opat, OSC, CM TEC's founder and coordinator. To celebrate we had a beautiful Mass with Bishop Kinney of St. Cloud; it was the most beautiful, heart-felt liturgy with the strongest sense of community that I've experienced since Mike and I's wedding! We also had a wonderful dinner, and ended the evening with a beautiful and fun program highlighting TEC's history these last 30 years, recognition from the National TEC Conference, and the achievements and blessings of Fr. Ken.
On a personal note, my TEC experience, and its on-going place in my life, has been probably THE single most foundational pieces of my life! Along with my graduate theological education, it has been one of the most important things in developing my faith and prayer life. Along with my mission experiences, it has been the most important factor in helping me realize my vocational call to ministry. Along with the house I grew up in, it is the only place where I feel at home as soon as I enter. And of all the people I've met in my 28 years, and all the places I've met them, the relationships I have through the TEC program are by far the most incredible. All of my best friends aside from my husband I either met through TEC, or were family and friends whose relationships have strengthened by leaps and bounds because we've since worked on TEC weekends or the TEC board together. Either way, I wouldn't be who I am without TEC, and would not have made it through some of the most difficult times in my life without these friendships. Thank you to my friends and family, and thank you to Central MN TEC, for continuously changing my life for the better and helping me encounter Christ in new and beautiful ways!!
And thank you Fr. Ken, without whom there would be no CM TEC, nor a great deal of other wonderful gifts. You have been a wonderful part of my life, as you have so many others. While sometimes I think you're completely nuts and other times you scare the heck out of me :) it's still hard to imagine TEC, and my life, without you. Thank you for all you've done, and will continue to do, to serve GOD and others through this great ministry! I pray for you constantly, and once again on this special occasion, I ask GOD to bless you abundantly. All my love and prayers Ken!
And thank you Fr. Ken, without whom there would be no CM TEC, nor a great deal of other wonderful gifts. You have been a wonderful part of my life, as you have so many others. While sometimes I think you're completely nuts and other times you scare the heck out of me :) it's still hard to imagine TEC, and my life, without you. Thank you for all you've done, and will continue to do, to serve GOD and others through this great ministry! I pray for you constantly, and once again on this special occasion, I ask GOD to bless you abundantly. All my love and prayers Ken!
If anyone is looking for the greatest 3 days of your life, or at least a very fun and helpful time meeting GOD in a unique and wonderful new way, check out CM TEC: www.cmtec.org You can't argue with 30 years of experience, and National TEC Conference directors, both of which tell us: "CM TEC is the biggest and the best TEC program in the world!" Find out for yourself why!
