The Rev. Christopher Rogers, the pastor at St. Pat's, spoke about the first and the last times he met Father Denny, who served as a priest at St. Pat's many years ago. The first time was shortly after Father Rogers arrived in Kennett: while strolling through town, he encountered Father Denny sitting in his favorite spot, on the bench outside the "General Store" he ran on State Street, and they immediately struck up a conversation about Denny's beloved St. Therese.
Their last conversation, just a few days before Denny died, took place at the church, when he asked Father Rogers, "Are you getting ready?" Father Rogers thought he meant getting the church ready for Thanksgiving and then Advent -- but he said that after Denny died, the simple question took on a profound meaning for him.
Denny's brother, Mike Van Thuyne, gave the eulogy on behalf of the family, talking about his brother's faith and the importance of both knowledge and action in the life of a Catholic. "We cannot rely on the other person," he said. "We must look honestly in the mirror and realize, we ARE the other person." He asked Denny's friends to pray for him and to him.
After the service, we all went downstairs to the social hall for refreshments and fellowship. How fitting that on the food table was a pile of Denny's favorite snack, Philadelphia soft pretzels! There was also a display of photos of Denny at his store and in the community. A leaflet from the family read, "Your warm expressions of sympathy and prayers for the Van Thuyne family, at the loss of our brother, Denny, have been a tremendous source of strength and comfort for all of us."
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