Fr. Eddie

Fr. Eddie Bernal

 photo, Lisa Krantz

Last night, after a day full of worship, fellowship, and happiness, I turned on the 10:00 news to hear that Fr. Eddie Bernal, a beloved priest here in San Antonio, has died. 

I wanted to share a story he once told at a SOL center class many years ago.

Fr. Eddie was doing some service work with the youth group from his congregation. Afterward, they all went out to IHOP for dinner.  There was a homeless man by the door of the restaurant, and one of the girls in the group engaged the man in conversation. Then, to Fr. Eddie's surprise (and, he admitted, fear), the girl invited the homeless man to eat with them.

They all had a good dinner and a good conversation with the homeless man. As they were walking out of the restaurant and the man was walking away, Fr. Eddie called out to him, "We never got your name." 

The man turned and said, "Chuy, I'm Chuy."

For those of you not from San Antonio, it might help to know that Chuy is the nickname for Jesus. 

Thank you Fr. Eddie for your work with your congregations, the poor people of San Antonio, and your advocacy for the LGBTQI community. 

"I was hungry, and you fed me."  

Rest in peace. Rest in power. Thank you.