+ Mark Andreas

Mark Andreas passed away after a short bout with Cancer on Friday, June 8th.  He was a strong man of God and will be greatly missed.   Mark was a dear friend of "VOCAL" for almost a decade, and sent cheers this way when Church error was exposed.  His dear wife Ruth and children were his greatest joy in life besides the Lord.  God bless you Mark, thanks for your dear friendship and faith in Christ to emulate.  Rest in Peace.

 Here is a message he sent through Facebook.  I know he wouldn't mind if I posted this.  It gives a flavor of this wonderful man.

"Greetings from Mark & Ruth Andreas in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It doesn't seem like we have been here for 6 years, but time flies. We have often thought of all the wonderful families we have known at Holy Rosary and the dear priests who have served there and at the Rosary Center. My own fondest memories will always be attending the 11:00 Mass and hearing the Men's Schola sing so beautifully.

I wondered into that parish in 1989 on December 8th on Our Lady's Feast day. I remember being fed up with my own parish priest who denied Purgatory and was confused on other points of the Faith. An older man I worked with attended there and recommended it to me, so I went to Noon Mass. I can still remember being overwhelmed by the beautiful hymns and then being able to kneel to receive Holy Communion. At the recessional hymn, Immaculate Mary, I began to weep in tears I can only describe as those of pure joy. I felt I was home! All I could do for a time was kneel back down after Mass and drink it in.

Now my problem was how to leave St. Peter's in Newberg. I went to see then auxiliary Bishop Waldschmidt to get permission to change parishes. He was very kind and said "Yes." And also "Those priest over there at Holy Rosary are solid in the Faith and they won't steer you wrong." So after 5 years on the Pastoral Council as chairman of education, I took my then 13 year old daughter Erin and left for Holy Rosary. Fr. Anthony and Fr. Emmerich where there at the time and shortly after, Fr. Bartholomew came. I think at the time There were six priests there including dear Fr. Duffner at the Rosary Center. 

What an Oasis Holy Rosary was for me and my Daughter Erin who now is Mrs Erin Rapp, and with her husband Jason and their six children still attend this dear parish. My parents weren't long to follow and last year even though my parents weren't able to attend for the last 5 years regularly to my Mother's failing health from Cancer, Fr. Anthony was there for them. My mother died and the funeral Mass was at St. Paul. Fr. Anthony offered to come and co-celebrate Mass with Fr. Moys there. What can I say to such friendship and love given to my family, but Thank you Fr. Anthony from our hearts. It meant so very much to my Father and the rest of my family to have him there and be with us.

I thank God for Holy Rosary, and vital role it has played in my life of my Wife Ruth who was a former Lutheran Pastor and a convert there, as well as my children and grandchildren. May her priests always remain attuned to the special "Charisma" that sets that parish apart in the faithfulness and fidelity of the parishioners there and may God always bless her now and in the troubled times that face our Church and Country.

God bless,
Mark Andreas
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, SD.  to  Holy Rosary Church, Portland Oregon