Carpe Diem! An offer I couldn’t refuse
By Toni Miles
Father Martin J. Gillespie
I met him as the Godfather, Father G, the boss of an Italian mob family. He and a number of his and other Catholic parishioners in South Mississippi were my co-stars in the 2022 Murder Mafia Mystery Dinner fundraiser, hosted by the Mississippi Society of Italian Americans (MS SOFIA) back in 2022.
My mob (character name) was “Rita the Rose,” a flattering moniker, considering roses are my second favorite flower (second only to lilies) but fitting, nonetheless, as even roses have their thorns.
My induction into “the Family” was a table read back in the summer of 2022, flanked by many members of the local Catholic Church, including St. Mary Catholic Church in Biloxi (which Father G pastored), St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Pass Christian, along with a few others.
Though I was not an “official” member of the fold, Father G and the entire cast and crew welcomed me with open arms, even designated an honorary seat at the table for me when it came to the opener during showtime.
Pictured (l to r) are the cast for the inaugural Murder Mafia Mystery Fundraiser Dinner held in 2022: Shirley Abels, Jimmy Duggan, Suzanne Hudson, John Hudson, Toni Miles, Father Martin J. Gillespie, John Cruso and producer David Biagini.
The scene – St. Mary Catholic Church’s Murray Hall. The overall plot – an attempted coup by trusted members of the Godfather Don Martini Giuseppe’s (Father G’s) “family.”
It was a three-day, live and interactive Mafia Murder Mystery Dinner produced by David Biagini and directed by Jimmy Duggan.
The mission – to raise money to fund bocce courts the local community could enjoy (mission accomplished, by the way).
Father Martin J. Gillespie (pictured center, sitting down), also known as “Father G,” played the role of Godfather Don Martini Giuseppe during the 2022 Murder Mafia Mystery Dinner, a fundraiser hosted by MS SOFIA (the Mississippi Society of Italian Americans), which included a number of Catholic parishioners from the area. He passed away on Friday, September 5, leaving a lasting legacy.
Recently, I got a call and was asked to participate in another Mafia Murder Mystery Dinner fundraiser coming up in November. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse, especially considering the encouragement, love and support all of my co-stars, including Father G, showed me during some of the darkest and most difficult days of my life – right after I lost my mother back in 2022.
In early September, preparations were underway for this year’s reboot of the fundraiser, again hosted by MS SOFIA, with many of the former cast and crew from 2022 and set to take place this year at St. Vincent de Paul School in Long Beach, November 6, 7 and 8.
On a recent Friday, we, including Father G, were discussing this year’s event, planning a cast luncheon.
The next day came the sad news that Father G., Father Martin J. Gillespie, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, had passed away. Unexpectedly.
This sad news caused me to take time to pause and reflect – on the preciousness of life, that time is fleeting and that we don’t know when the next day will be our last.
I reflected on the deep appreciation I have for the warmth, understanding and compassion Father G, and the entire cast and crew, bestowed upon me during a time in my life when I had suffered a deep loss and was struggling. No demands. No preaching. Just love and acceptance. I’d be remiss not to mention the sharp wit, love for life and unique sense of humor Father G never failed to display. It spilled over to me, as well, and comforted me greatly during my time of loss and sorrow.
Father Martin J. Gillespie, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, in his role as the Godfather in the 2022 Murder Mafia Mystery Dinner fundraiser.
Father G’s recent passing was shocking to many, including me. We were supposed to gather again in just a matter of days to talk more about the upcoming play. Now, one seat will be empty, and rest assured the hearts of the remaining cast and crew, including myself, will be heavy; but we will do our best to carry on, to continue to build on the foundation Father G helped lay years ago and to continue his legacy.
Father G’s passing, of course, has also caused me to reflect on my own life. I turned fifty this year, and I ain’t getting any younger. There are still so many hopes and dreams, many buried beneath the pillage and debris this cruel life can deal us. But today is a new day. I still have breath. A voice. Bent and broken at times, but still breathing.
There’s still time, even though the clock is ticking. Father G’s passing has helped me put at least some things back into proper focus and perspective. It’s caused me to take a closer look at those I’ve been blessed to have in my life. Have I said what I’ve needed to say? Have I shown my love and appreciation for them? Is there anything I can do to help make their lives better? If I haven’t, is there still time to do so? It’s definitely time for me to take a timeout, to slow down, pause and take time to “smell the roses.”
A valuable English Literature lesson and term comes to mind as well – Carpe Diem! Seize the Day – and we shall!
As they say, the show must go on. Father G. would agree. And it will.
The table is set, as I’m sure it was already set and prepared for Father G on his final journey “home.”
Fly high, Father G. Thank you for the compassion and support you showed me, a sheep outside the “fold,” and so many others. You and your kindness will not soon be forgotten. You’ve helped lay a foundation for something greater than yourself. You’ve set the bar high and leave a lasting legacy both inside and beyond the Church “walls.”
I know you will be with us in spirit, and I – we – will try to do right by you at this year’s event.
And one day, when that final curtain call arrives, please save a seat for me.
Rest in peace and fly high, Father G! Until we meet again…
