Urgent Prayer Request

[PhuturePriest]

(I put this in open mic so I can make updates)

A major seminarian in my diocese fell into a river while canoeing this morning. There's currently a rescue effort underway. I haven't heard anything since, so please pray for his safety, as well as his brother and family.

[PhuturePriest]

Though I feared it would be the case, I must update this with very sad news.

Brian Bergkamp is still unaccounted for, but emergency services have changed from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. The Bishop has made a statement and the local news has written an account of what happened. Until I found out I was at a loss as to why he drowned, but after learning the reason I was completely unsurprised at the heroism and holiness displayed by my brother seminarian.

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article88678347.html

This is the statement made by our bishop:

Quote

Today I received word that one of our seminarians had a canoeing accident on the Arkansas River in Wichita. His name is Brian Bergkamp. Brian was to be a third year theologian at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Maryland. Now, his rescue mission has been changed to a recovery mission. Brian is a quiet but dedicated man, whom I was honored to know and serve as his bishop. I want to ask for your prayers for his family who are facing the incredible pain of losing a son and brother. I also ask your prayers for our diocese who has lost a seminarian who demonstrated great promise for ministry in the Church. I am praying that he will intercede for all of us as we find the strength to move onward without him. God bless you Brian with eternal life and may the angels welcome you to your eternal home. Bishop Kemme

Please pray for Brian and his family. His brother, Andy, is a seminarian as well, and from what I understand he was with him on the canoe trip.

[<3 PopeFrancis]

Have you heard news yet?

[PhuturePriest]

A recovery effort is still underway to find his body. We have set up two parishes which have an hour of Eucharistic adoration every evening until his body is found, and though we are hopeful it will be, the unfortunate reality is that finding him becomes less likely as the days go by.

[StMichael]

Prayers for him and his family.

He is a true hero and I pray that he is rescued.

 

[DominicanHeart]

It is so sad. It could be anywhere. 

[DominicanHeart]

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article90291242.html here's an article of his Memorial Mass. I hope they find his body soon

[PhuturePriest]

2 hours ago, DominicanHeart said:

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article90291242.html here's an article of his Memorial Mass. I hope they find his body soon

It was a very beautiful Mass. Amazing music and chant, and it was so cool at the consecration to hear priests from all around (they didn't gather around the altar like usual) all quietly saying the prayers for the consecration. I was super tired and hot and feared I would sleep at some point, but the Mass was so beautiful it didn't turn out to be an issue.

What I really regret them not recording is at the end when we (seminarians and priests) all gathered outside the cathedral around Deacon Andy (Brian's brother) and his family and sang the Salve Regina.