I believe there are certain souls who never really leave us...they touch us in such a way, that they leave their impression on our hearts. Chloe was one of those souls. There have been a few entries in her online journal since she passed away, all from close family and friends, including 2 of the eulogies, one from the visitation service, and one from the funeral. I wanted to share this one with you. It was written by Linda, a close friend of the family, and a dear friend of mine. As I mentioned in a previous post, Linda wasn't able to go to the funeral, she had to fly out that morning to Virginia. Chloe's family asked her to speak a few words at the visitation. Linda asked me to pray for her...she was anxious because she wasn't sure she could get through it without breaking down. I told her I would... but I knew she would speak with tremendous grace and love. Her eulogy was posted on Chloe's site this afternoon, and when I read it...I cried and cried. Not because it was hard to read, but because it was so beautiful. There is nothing else I can say...just read it for youself.
Chloe Anne Schmidt
A dragon named Cancer began to ravish little Chloe before our eyes over 15 months ago. Deb stood in this very Church when she found the lump in Chloe’s arm. She instinctively knew it was serious, not just a swollen gland. I believed her. Some how, she knew. God had revealed this to her during Holy Mass. Now what?
After Mass I called the Carmelite Nuns in New Caney, TX. I called the Franciscan Nuns in Mishawaka, IN and anyone else that I could reach through internet. Deb was calling people too: Continental NOT ONLY flies aircraft all over the world, they SOAR STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW with prayers to God. Within a few short weeks, Chloe Anne Schmidt no longer belonged to Sammie and her family, she belonged to the WORLD! Any news or any new development was past to the CaringBridge sight the family had set up for Chloe. From there, more people prayed in earnest for Chloe and a miracle.
Chloe IS the miracle! She taught us to hold onto Jesus. In Christ alone is our strength, even today. People rallied in prayer day and night for this precious Child of God. And, the fruit came…a woman away from belief in God for 22 years returned to the Church and spoke with a Priest about her hurts and need for healing. “It all started when I said a prayer (half heartedly, too) for this little girl named Chloe that I don’t even know!”
A man looking for employment for over a year, prayed daily for Chloe after his last unemployment check came and he was near despair, work walked through his door. He thanked God and knew that this somehow had to do with Chloe, the little girl God sent into his life so that he did not always think of himself first.
All present have prayed for Chloe and her family. What else could we do? Where could we go, but to God! Abandonment of self and sacrifices hemmed with prayers became the only answer on Chloe’s tapestry. Chloe brought us all together in one way or another. Clerks in grocery stores were asked to pray and on return trips they would ask, “How is she? My Church is praying for her.” No boundaries or walls of religious beliefs could be found.
Many of you never had a chance to say “Hello,” to Chloe and yet you are here to say “Good-bye.” She pulled your heart-strings; this was part of her mission: The Kingdom of God united for Chloe. Her trust in God gave us hope and strength and courage. If Jesus could ask this of her...we could sacrifice, pray and walk this journey. This was a sea of grief, yet she always smiled and accepted…“not my will, but YOURS be done.”
Families in Amsterdam met to pray. People in Stockbridge Maryland came together. Hawaii and South Africa joined the call. Her name was left in a stone at the Wailing Wall. It was left in St. Peters Basilica on Christmas Eve last year.
EWTN has her name in the Adoration Chapel. And the list goes on and on. Sammie, you gave her life; but Chloe gave us grace and unity and healing through her walk up the hill to Mount Calvary. Chloe is an Apostle! Chloe is our Apostle! Chloe served God built His Church community and brought us to Jesus.
Like all the saints, she suffered for us and for the reparation of the world. She drank from the cup of suffering. Her work is not finished, she has truly just begun! The prayers and unity must remain, it is so important. “We can’t stop now,” a Carmelite told me, “begin again and pray for her family and friends, this surely God’s desire! Sr. went on, “She has completed her mission here and she has not died in vain. She gathered souls for Christ!”
Now, as Prayer Warriors, we are in the desert without Chloe. But, she will walk with us in spirit to the edge and give us a Cup of Consolation and Refreshment: the Living Water from Christ’s side.
What this little gal did to impact not only St. James, but many people world-wide is enormous. Chloe is the favor of Christ’s delight and dancing hand in hand with Him in her long white dress and smiling because there is no more pain. NO PAIN.
Chloe is now on new sea shores, full of JOY; and she has left everything behind to walk with God, her Father, knowing that she ran the race and gave it her all.
We are asked daily to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Chloe LIVED this cross and taught anyone who prayed for her and her family that we are not in control. We MUST put our faith and hope in our Merciful God.
As the Army of Prayer Warriors grew, more miracles happened, not for Chloe, but for other souls. Chloe bridged the gap between us and Heaven. She became one with Christ in her suffering for the thousands world wide that prayed. We all learned hope in Christ, patience, love and how to endure from a 7 year old on her way to Heaven. Yes, it is finished here, but SHE LIVES for ever…Alleluia…AMEN!
After Mass I called the Carmelite Nuns in New Caney, TX. I called the Franciscan Nuns in Mishawaka, IN and anyone else that I could reach through internet. Deb was calling people too: Continental NOT ONLY flies aircraft all over the world, they SOAR STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW with prayers to God. Within a few short weeks, Chloe Anne Schmidt no longer belonged to Sammie and her family, she belonged to the WORLD! Any news or any new development was past to the CaringBridge sight the family had set up for Chloe. From there, more people prayed in earnest for Chloe and a miracle.
Chloe IS the miracle! She taught us to hold onto Jesus. In Christ alone is our strength, even today. People rallied in prayer day and night for this precious Child of God. And, the fruit came…a woman away from belief in God for 22 years returned to the Church and spoke with a Priest about her hurts and need for healing. “It all started when I said a prayer (half heartedly, too) for this little girl named Chloe that I don’t even know!”
A man looking for employment for over a year, prayed daily for Chloe after his last unemployment check came and he was near despair, work walked through his door. He thanked God and knew that this somehow had to do with Chloe, the little girl God sent into his life so that he did not always think of himself first.
All present have prayed for Chloe and her family. What else could we do? Where could we go, but to God! Abandonment of self and sacrifices hemmed with prayers became the only answer on Chloe’s tapestry. Chloe brought us all together in one way or another. Clerks in grocery stores were asked to pray and on return trips they would ask, “How is she? My Church is praying for her.” No boundaries or walls of religious beliefs could be found.
Many of you never had a chance to say “Hello,” to Chloe and yet you are here to say “Good-bye.” She pulled your heart-strings; this was part of her mission: The Kingdom of God united for Chloe. Her trust in God gave us hope and strength and courage. If Jesus could ask this of her...we could sacrifice, pray and walk this journey. This was a sea of grief, yet she always smiled and accepted…“not my will, but YOURS be done.”
Families in Amsterdam met to pray. People in Stockbridge Maryland came together. Hawaii and South Africa joined the call. Her name was left in a stone at the Wailing Wall. It was left in St. Peters Basilica on Christmas Eve last year.
EWTN has her name in the Adoration Chapel. And the list goes on and on. Sammie, you gave her life; but Chloe gave us grace and unity and healing through her walk up the hill to Mount Calvary. Chloe is an Apostle! Chloe is our Apostle! Chloe served God built His Church community and brought us to Jesus.
Like all the saints, she suffered for us and for the reparation of the world. She drank from the cup of suffering. Her work is not finished, she has truly just begun! The prayers and unity must remain, it is so important. “We can’t stop now,” a Carmelite told me, “begin again and pray for her family and friends, this surely God’s desire! Sr. went on, “She has completed her mission here and she has not died in vain. She gathered souls for Christ!”
Now, as Prayer Warriors, we are in the desert without Chloe. But, she will walk with us in spirit to the edge and give us a Cup of Consolation and Refreshment: the Living Water from Christ’s side.
What this little gal did to impact not only St. James, but many people world-wide is enormous. Chloe is the favor of Christ’s delight and dancing hand in hand with Him in her long white dress and smiling because there is no more pain. NO PAIN.
Chloe is now on new sea shores, full of JOY; and she has left everything behind to walk with God, her Father, knowing that she ran the race and gave it her all.
We are asked daily to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Chloe LIVED this cross and taught anyone who prayed for her and her family that we are not in control. We MUST put our faith and hope in our Merciful God.
As the Army of Prayer Warriors grew, more miracles happened, not for Chloe, but for other souls. Chloe bridged the gap between us and Heaven. She became one with Christ in her suffering for the thousands world wide that prayed. We all learned hope in Christ, patience, love and how to endure from a 7 year old on her way to Heaven. Yes, it is finished here, but SHE LIVES for ever…Alleluia…AMEN!
No comments:
Post a Comment