Dear Friends,

It is my sad duty to report to you the death of long-time parishioner Gladys Cudjoe, who died in her sleep in her home in Redhook yesterday morning about 7:45 am.  She was 95.  Less than a month ago, Gladys was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was in home hospice under the care of her granddaugther Tiffany Johnson and Tiffany's husband Mike.  It was Gladys' wish that Last Rites be given, so I went to her home in Red Hook immediately after mass yesterday morning, administered Last Rites, and stayed with the family until the funeral home arrived.

A viewing will be held from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, on Saturday, September 15th, at the Jurek Park Slope Funeral home, 728 4th Ave (at the corner of 23rd St.).  The funeral service will be held at St. Paul's on Thursday evening, September 20, at 7:00 pm.  A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Gladys had not been able to attend mass more than a handful of times over the past year because of her health, but she was what many of you have described to me as "a fixture" at St. Paul's.  She came just before Fr. Cullen arrived 31 years ago when her church, Holy Child Jesus, was closed; in fact, Gladys was the last of the Holy Child Jesus congregation who came to St. Paul's.  I hope that you are able to join the St. Paul's community on Thursday, September 20, to celebrate her life, mourn her death, and pray for the happy repose of her soul.

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.  May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Yours in Christ,


Fr. Wallace