My Tribute to Deacon Lee Ellis
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Today I am a Catholic for several reasons, not the least of which are the various Catholics with whom God put me in contact throughout the first 30 years of my life. They did not necessarily engage in complicated theological debates with me, but rather they humbly practiced their faith in such a devout way that eventually my obstinate rejection of God and His one true church gradually evaporated. However, as I watched my brother-in-law enter the Church on Easter Vigil, 2003, my thoughts turned to another person who had a lot to do with where I am today - Deacon Lee Ellis.
The phrase "preach the gospel, and use words if necessary" is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, and it is safe to say that Deacon Lee did both. He and his wife were the first people I talked to seriously about becoming Catholic. As an instructor in the St. Benedict RCIA program, he met with us every Tuesday night for 2 hours and led us in prayer afterwards. He answered all questions authoritatively and with a profound depth of knowledge, presenting the faith both in words and in his actions. One of the homilies he gave about preparing the new large crucifix for our parish is still one of the most moving sermons I have ever heard in my entire life.
It was through his bookstore that I got to know him better, since I practically lived there. He knew that I was converting during my medical residency, so he always worked with me when I couldn't make the Tuesday night meetings. He knew that I was a voracious reader, consuming everything I could get my hands on. A typical conversation between us often started this way: Lee would look up from his desk and say, "Hey, doc. What's going on?" I would answer, "Hi, Lee. Got any new books in?" He would then lead me over to the apologetics section and tell me, "You need to have this one." Knowing my childhood upbringing, which included growing up without a television (and therefore reading books instead) the very first book he gave me was Karl Keating's Catholicism and Fundamentalism and told me to read it. That was just his way - there was no hesitancy in his actions, nothing wishy-washy about him. He never said, "Oh, you might like this book". No, he seemed to know what I needed even before I did and always directed me to such outstanding books and tape series that my understanding was always increased and strengthened.
After all my questions were answered, I entered the Church in 1999. After Easter Vigil I still looked forward to going to his store to talk to him and learn more. I was there so often that my wife began to complain half-jokingly that we didn't have enough bookshelves, but I kept going anyway. The very first crucifix I ever wore came from his store, and I wore it proudly. Months later I finished my training and started my practice, and Lee kept up his vocation as deacon of our parish, bookstore owner, RCIA instructor, and Catholic apologist to anyone who would listen. He facilitated classes in apologetics so that we could learn more, so that others could learn more.
In June, 2001, I was on vacation in Ireland. One night coming back to our hotel in Killarney, I noticed that my crucifix was gone. I searched the suitcase and the room but couldn't find it, feeling strangely sad. I consoled myself by thinking that this would be an opportunity to buy an Irish crucifix and tried to forget about it. Later that same night my mother back home relayed to my wife on the phone the message which someone had left at our house that Lee had died suddenly. I said nothing except a silent prayer, smothered my face in a pillow, and felt the tears come.....
I don't think it was mere coincidence that I lost my crucifix the same day Lee passed away. Because I was thousands of miles away I never got to say goodbye to him, having to settle for lighting candles for him in every Catholic Church we visited in Ireland. As soon as I got back I went right to his store which by then was being managed by his grieving family and bought a new crucifix. I wear it every day as not only a reminder of our Lord's Death and Resurrection, but also because it came from Lee's store; it serves as one last connection with him.
At a Men's Club meeting just this year, I heard his best friend's voice falter and choke off in sorrow just by mentioning Lee's name during announcments and felt tears well up in my own eyes, so I know that his passing still carries a lot of pain for many of us. He will always be remembered and missed because he left an indelible impression upon the people and the church he was so dedicated to serving. I, for one, will miss talking and joking with him in his bookstore, listening to his homilies, spending time with him in prayer and study in our small faith group, in addition to all the little things a person does just by being there.
Lee was not a tall man, but he was a big man. As a former military guy, he did everything intensely, and he commanded an audience with instant respect (and humor). I'm sure he had his frailties like all of us, but I will always remember him as a powerful little human fireball - a man who loved Jesus and was devoted to His Blessed Mother, a man who dedicated his life to bringing others closer to God, and a man responsible in part for the person I am today.
St. Benedict's has built a garden in his honor at the church. It has been a few years now and our lives go on (Lee's store is now run by parishioner Jim Bryan), and something tells me that Lee is up there barking out orders to the angels in heaven right now.
- R.C.R.
