Rich was one of my dad’s closest friends, and rightly so, as they seemed to be always around each other when I was in college. He was a giant of a man, both literally and figuratively, and had a very gentle spirit and a great soul. He was also the Rector of St. Phillips downtown Indianapolis, which was primarily a black congregation served by a white priest. And I say it that way as I became a member there too and the environment they all created together was not one of political correctness, but one of love and care for one another in Christ. I don’t know for sure, but before Rich came there, I would guess that they weren’t searching for a “black” priest, they were searching for the “right” priest……and they found it in Rich.
And serving in the congregation was a great experience for me, as I was able to learn a lot from a priest who love and cared for people, and had a heart for the poor. St. Phillips opened their doors to the homeless and and helpless, even allowing them to sleep in the building during the cold months and have a hot meal. At that time, I became one of three people who would help train volunteers to stay the night and “staff” the shelter. This led to the Episcopal Metropolitan Council and a much larger shelter of which I served the first year as its Director, and the year after headed to seminary. It all then has since developed into what is now known as Dayspring, which is large and cares for many of the poor in Indianapolis. A few years back I served on I believe some sort of Advisory capacity group for them, or maybe it was their board, I do not remember. But I do remember the meetings being in a board room on one of the top floors of a high rise bank building downtown…..pretty nice. But my first thought was “Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore,” and my mind went back to that humble, gentle, and faithful soul who opened the doors to his Church so that his people and he could witness to others about the love of Christ to the poor and those in need. I’d imagine he never thought it would go that far. And they were also instrumental (Rich and St. Phillips) about developing housing for the poor in their neighborhood too.
As I went to seminary I discovered a world much different than the one I came from. Apparently being an Episcopal priest was a pretty good gig, and you could make a lot of cash, have a lot of prestige and do pretty well for yourself. (That was not what I was interested in) But the issues I discovered there had very little to do with the poor, but were mired in the rights of women and homosexulaity and what was wrong with the Church. It was far more about structure and institution than life. And although I was technically “classically” trained, I found the perspective skewed. The poor that Jesus served and cared for seemed replaced by people seeking power, position, and control. They were more concerned about changing the “structure” rather than doing the work. And as I entered the ordained world I found it much the same. Power, politics, structure, and very little trench work.
It was no surprise to me as I returned to the Diocese of Indianapolis under a new bishop that I found myself embattled with her. She manifested just about everything that I felt was wrong with the church, and guess who she also gave a lot of trouble to? Yep, Father Rich Roos. The constant preaching of “tolerance” and “inclusiveness” in the Church didn’t include guys like us, and although she worked like hell to rid “her diocese” of us, I just figured I was in pretty good company.
After Rich retired he moved to Florida and would check in on me every now and again. I however am still at it, not with that power abusing bishop though as I left “her” diocese long ago and transferred jurisdictions. I will say AFTER I did she formally charged me with “abandonment of the Communion” and “removed” the title “Reverend” from all correspondence sent to me ever by the Episcopal Church except for those ones that still want me to donate money. Funny huh? To her we were both heretics, but I suppose that is the perspective you get when you have a screwed up faith.
The poor who are fed and given a warm place to sleep may never have met Rich, nor seen the Light of Christ in his eyes. I however have, and so have many others. She and “her diocese” can take the credit if they want for what he gave, as it won’t matter to him, nor to me. It is the fact that when they were hungry they are given food, when they are naked clothed, or when they are sick they are cared for. Primary purpose and First Order issues…….everything else is beyond that. Thanks Rich. The Light of Christ in you was never wasted on me.
Tonight’s picture is an old one for sure. It is at my brother Mike’s Baptism, which Rich performed and allowed me to help. It is before I was ordained and one of the very few pictures you will ever see where I am actually taller than Mike.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+