All of the members of St. Vasilios Church were deeply saddened to learn this week of the sudden and unexpected death of one of our parish’s most active members, known to us all by the affectionate name of Someone Else. As we approach the many activities of the months ahead, we must reflect, all of us, upon this very sobering and distressing news.

The untimely passing of Someone Else creates a loss that will be very difficult for the parish to fill. The reason for this, of course, is that Else has been a very active and faithful member of the parish for many years, and for every one of those years, Someone always did far more than a normal person’s share of parish work. Whenever a position of leadership and responsibility had to be filled, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration and results. “I’m sorry I don’t have the time to help, but I’m sure you’ll find Someone Else” was the often heard answer. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, a meeting to attend, or a voice needed for the choir, we often found ourselves saying, “I have to pass this time, perhaps Someone Else can do it.

Although he always tried to give anonymously, it has long been common knowledge that Someone Else was one of the most generous givers in the parish. Whenever we have felt financial need, we all assumed that Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person, but one person can only do so much, and everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now that Someone Else is gone, we wonder what we are going to do. Since we can’t depend on Someone Else to do everything for us any longer, then all of us together must do the work necessary to meet the needs and serve the areas of ministry in our parish.