Saying adieu to Br. Laurence

 Br. David Bryan returned from a visit to our Toronto Brothers this Thursday. Br. Ephrem is away for the weekend offering a parish retreat in Maryland.

This Friday, November 22, our eldest Brother, aged 96, died at Hudson Valley Rehab. & Extended Care Center in nearby Highland. Our Superior, Br. Robert James was with Laurence as he died. Many Brothers had visited him over last several weeks as his health deteriorated. He was always happy to see one of us, especially if we brought a chocolate milkshake with us as eating solids became increasingly difficult.

We give thanks for our Brother's life. Br. Laurence [Arthur Eugene Harms] was born in Rock Island, IL in 1929.  He was a high school teacher of math and science which he left to join the OHC community in Bolahun, Liberia where he taught in our schools there as a lay Companion.

He then applied to join the Order as a professed brother and made his life profession in 1966.  Laurence was an amateur astronomer and photographer.  He was a  friend to many, especially in the Liberian diaspora and in the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit where he gave regular talks in the planetarium. 

He was always ready to take out his telescopes so that retretants could look at the rings of Saturn.   In his later years, he was a practitioner of origami and gifted people around the world with his creations. He had a ministry of kind and joyful presence in his nursing home. He was much beloved by the staff; many of whom came to pay their respect as Laurence was slipping away.

Br. Laurence Harms (1929-2024)

His simple faith and trust in God was an inspiration.  May choirs of angels sing him to his rest!

Arrangements for his funeral are yet to be decided. On Wednesday, the community will sing the Office of the Departed for Laurence.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Travel safe.