CatholicAnchor.org
Father Thomas Weise, a dynamic Catholic priest for the Diocese of Juneau, died on Dec. 6, following a series of cardiac arrests.
An update on the Diocese of Juneau’s website noted: “With heartfelt prayers of condolence and our sincere regret, Bishop Edward J. Burns and the Diocese of Juneau shares that our beloved Fr. Thomas Joseph L. Weise entered into eternal life yesterday evening, Sunday, Dec. 6th, at approximately 10 p.m. in San Luis Obispo, California.”
On his Twitter account Bishop Burns called for the faithful to keep Father Weise in prayer.
“Please pray for the repose of the soul Fr. Thomas Weise, 46, beloved pastor of Saint Catherine and Saint Rose of Lima,” Bishop Burns wrote. “God rest his soul.”
Father Weise had been hospitalized in critical condition in San Luis Obispo, Calif., following a life-threatening cardiac arrest suffered on Nov. 25 while visiting family. Father Weise was ordained a priest for the Juneau Diocese in 2002.
According the Juneau Diocese, Father Weise went into cardiac arrest on the evening before Thanksgiving. The exact cause is still unknown. After CPR by family and the paramedics, his heartbeat returned but not his breathing, and he did not wake up.
The following night, while still in the intensive care unit and sedated, his heart stopped again. After approximately 45 minutes of CPR his heartbeat returned.
According to the diocese, Father Weise suffered “a severe brain injury from a lack of oxygen during those incidents.”
During his hospitalization, the diocese urged the faithful to pray for Father Weise’s recovery noting that “if that is not God’s plan, then we know he will be closely looking over each one of us.”
Father Weise served as pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Wrangell and St. Catherine of Siena Church in Petersburg. Both parishes are in remote areas but Father Weise tackled the geographical challenge by maintaining an active blog, posting audio clips of all his homilies and offering words of encouragement to parishioners. Known for his engaging speaking style and willingness to engage the wider culture, he had also been on a number of public panels discussing a wide range of issues related to Catholic faith, morals and social teachings.
Well known for his love of the natural world, Father Weise enjoyed kayaking in the many waterways of Southeast Alaska.
Updates about Father Weise’s funeral arrangement will be made public on the Diocese of Juneau website at www.dioceseofjuneau.org. Cards, letters, and notes of encouragement can be sent to Father Weise and his family at the following address:
672 Howard Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
'Juneau priest, Fr. Weise, dies following cardiac arrest' have 2 comments
December 2015 @ 5:55 am Peggy Thomas
I am sadded to hear about Father Weise. My condolences to all. Thank you informing us about his death. We rely on God’s Mercy and Love and know that this is the Father’s will not ours. My prayers are there for all. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; He refreshes my soul….
December 2015 @ 3:30 pm Sally Zaleski
My heart is saddened with the Diocese of Juneau as you mourn the loss of your beloved brother Priest. For Fr. Weise’s parishioners, I am so sorry for this tragic loss to your parish family. While not easy, I have to think that God felt he needed Fr. Weise now rather than waiting. Perhaps there is some great work in store for Fr. Weise – something greater than what he ever would have been able to accomplish here on this earth. My condolences to his family and friends. May God be with you during this time, and may you experience the consoling heart of our Blessed Mother.
Eternal rest, grant, unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine about him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen