Dear Holy Cross family,

With a heavy heart, I announce that Father Kenneth Paul died earlier this morning. Funeral arrangements are still being formulated, and I will update everyone with the final plans once they are known.

I visited with Ginger and William this morning, and they remain in good spirits despite this sad and surprising news. I ask that you all pray for them, and Raymond and all of the Paul family during this time as you also pray for the repose of Fr. Paul’s soul.

Fr. Paul was the third and longest-serving Rector of Holy Cross. He began his tenure in 1968 until his retirement in 2007. Following retirement, Fr. Paul continued to serve Holy Cross as Rector Emeritus, often filling in and assisting at certain services.

When I first met Fr. Paul, I was a second-year seminarian. And I know I’m not alone in saying he left an impression on me. His characteristic wit and charm were matched only by his dedication and support. As a rector, I have found myself exceedingly lucky to count him among my flock and to count myself among his successors.

He will be truly and greatly missed by his family and friends and by everyone at Holy Cross. It is impossible to state the impact his nearly 40-year tenure as Rector has had on our church, our community, and our city.

I share with you all, also, the portion of Psalm 71, which I read this morning with Ginger.

“And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things; who is like you, O God? You have showed me great troubles and adversities, but you will restore my life and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth. You strengthen me more and more; you enfold and comfort me, Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.”

O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we pray, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered to our ancestors, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the Catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a religious and holy hope, in favor with you, our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.-BCP 504