Dan
Berry for the last five years was minister of the Mary, Queen of Peace
fraternity in Saint Paul. He died of cancer December 20. On Friday, December 22,
and Saturday, December 23, Franciscans gathered with many others at St. Paul's
in Ham Lake to celebrate Dan's life and bid him farewell. These were inspiring
celebrations befitting Dan, the choir director and liturgist. Surely his witness
will continue to inspire others, Franciscan or not, to the service of the
Lord.
Dan, in a gentle way, has been a leader in the Secular Franciscan Order for many years. He was the driving force behind the emergence of Mary, Queen of Peace Fraternity in Saint Paul. He had also served as formation director for Pacem in Terris Fraternity in Saint Francis, MN. He was originally professed in St. Crispin Fraternity in Saint Paul.
In 1999, Dan volunteered Mary, Queen of Peace Fraternity to sponsor the Regional Fall Gathering. St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity co-sponsored this gathering. Dan spearheaded the preparations. As an example to all of us, Dan gathered both fraternities early in 1999 in a spiritual retreat to begin the earnest planning for the September event.
Dan inspired all he met both within and without the Secular Franciscans. Last month, co-workers at the Catholic Spirit, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, recalled in articles in the paper there working with Dan and his courage and example as he made his final journey in this world. On December 18, at its annual Christmas party, the Archdiocese awarded Dan the B Charles Tierney Award. The Tierney award is given each year to an archdiocesan employee �of faith, honor and generosity who has shared his or her gifts in service to the archdiocese.�
Let us give thanks for Dan, who will continue to bless the Secular Franciscan Order. May the Lord seat Dan at his own feet, so Dan can intercede always for us.