After a lingering illness, our dear Father Vincent Cushing passed peacefully on November 14, 2024. His heart quietly surrendered, resisting the efforts of a CPR team, after receiving his Church’s blessing from a brother friar.
For most of PAX’s 55 years, Vince would frequently reminded us of his favorite expression which he embraced in so many ways: “I’m a child of the Holy Ghost…on the road to glory.” Father Vince was firmly rooted in the Church he passionately loved; but so unflinchingly honest in describing a Church seemingly resistant to embrace the sunlight and branches of Vatican II.
PAX was present with Vince on his very last day. The day before he died, after an extended visit, our Myrtle Hendricks and Vince’s dear friend Ellie Levine stood on either side of him, placing their hands on his shoulders as Myrtle assured Vince that God was with him and prayed that he have peace and comfort on his final journey home.
Fr. Vince’s memorial service will likely be held Saturday, November 23rd at St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20903. There will be a wake at 12:00 noon with the memorial service beginning at 1:00 pm. Vince requested a closed casket. An email will be sent on the PAX listserv if there are any changes regarding the wake and service.
And this note from Fr. John Vitko
It was and is my blessing to know Fr. Vincent — an amazing Christian and a wonderful man. His earthly presence will be missed greatly — but his heavenly presence and prayers will be with PAX and all of us forever. I/we will pray for him in my personal prayers and in the Church’s prayers for the next 40 days as is our tradition. May his and our loving Lord grant him rest in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose from where all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away and MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL!
With all my sympathy, love, and prayers,
Fr. John