“Nathan is now in God’s hands and we now have to go through the pain and suffering, but we are going through it with the help of God’s grace.” Those were the words of Catholic Priest, Fr. Nigel Karam who spoke at a special assembly held in memory of Nathan Victor on Wednesday.
Nineteen-year-old Nathan Victor of Elmshall’s life was cut short as a result of a motor vehicular accident that occurred near the Mahaut Market on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
He was the victim of the second fatal traffic accident of the year.
“Death is never easy and always causes pain, but there are some situations that are heart-wrenching and the sudden death of a young person is one of those,” Fr. Karam said.
According to him, death and the experience of death is one of those moments that people all go through as human beings.
“We do have to take moments to sit back and think about our lives and its direction,” he stated. “Because every action has an equal opposite reaction.”
Fr. Karam continued, “Every action has its consequences. Every decision will have its consequences that we will have to live with.”
He added, “And so the gospel invites us today to think about our hearts and what comes out of our hearts. It’s how we live our lives, how we love, how we try to move away from temptations…”
Furthermore, Fr. Karam called on those present at the ceremony to try to emulate those wonderful qualities that Nathan had, “but at the same time let us also look deep within our own hearts and see where God is challenging us, see where we need to stop and think of the actions we are engaged in, and the lives that we are living.”
President of the St Mary’s Academy 4-H Club Adrien Piper said it’s sad to know that Nathan is gone from this earth, “however we will do our best to ensure that he is not forgotten and that we will carry on his legacy.”
“To the family, friends, and colleagues of Nathan we are with you in this time of sorrow,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Catholic priest, Monsignor William Jno Lewis said whenever tragedy strikes there is pain, there is suffering and there is grief and when tragedy strikes at home and in the family, “there is a pain, a grief…a pain that goes on and on.”
He expressed his sympathies to the parents, family, and friends of Nathan.
“We are with you in your grief, we are with you in your pain,” he stated. “We want to remind you also that the Lord who gave you Nathan is with you presently and whenever you think of this gift that was given to you and now taken away you might like Job think of saying, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.”
Nathan graduated from the St Mary’s Academy in 2020 and was a member of the 4-H Club.
I pray for the family and ask that we all keep them in prayers not just today but always. I admire the turn out and to see the young men who spent time with him in life, be there to show each other comfort in this time of loss. May you all continue to be blessed with the Grace of God which is the only thing that will see you through this. Take the words of Father Karam and Msgnr. John Lewis to heart and let God prevail as he alone can offer us true comfort. Never forgotten, keep Nathan in your hearts. Live the best life you can and do good in all you do for his sake.
My comdolences to all family and friends. So sad