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closeCommunity gathers to remember Dalton
Elizabeth Anderson / for The Herald
Parishioners, friends and colleagues filled South Hill’s Holy Disciples Catholic Church late last week for a Mass that celebrated the life of the late Rev. Paul Dalton, a beloved priest who died unexpectedly in February.
Many mourners, who greeted each other with hugs, squeezes and head nods, made quiet conversation prior to the Thursday, May 1 service.
The Rev. Tom Suss, who officiated the memorial service, emphasized themes of hope and trust, while urging attendees to remember Dalton fondly.
“God knows what he is doing,” Suss said. “Somehow, we must trust his providence.”
Dalton, 56, was found dead March 1 in his home, apparently the victim of a heart attack. Ordained as a priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle in 1978, Dalton served in many area parishes before arriving at Holy Disciples. His previous assignments included St. Therese in Seattle, St. Michael’s in Olympia, Assumption in Bellingham and Mary Queen of Peace in Sammamish before coming to Holy Disciples in Puyallup.
Suss, noting all the baptisms, first communions, weddings and confirmations in which Dalton had participated during his years of service, tried to console grieving parishioners by reminding them what Jesus said upon leaving his disciples.
“Jesus said, ‘I will not leave you orphaned. I will send to you the Spirit of Truth,’” Suss recounted.
Dalton was a man who lovingly brought a sense of calm and peace into the lives of many, Suss said of his fellow clergyman.
Handkerchiefs came out of men’s pockets and women reached for tissues as the choir sang “Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest.”
At various points during the Mass, members of the congregation, a diverse group comprised of various ages and races, prayed and held hands, sometimes even walking to other parts of the room to physically connect with each other.
When parishioners were invited to share brief stories of Dalton, a member of Holy Disciple’s Grief Ministry laughed while describing baptisms in which Dalton would “pour and pour” baptismal water over people’s heads.
The Rev. John Renggli, another priest and colleague who attended the service, remembered Dalton as “a man who could have a good time.”
Dalton loved the culinary arts, Renggli said, and sometimes proudly challenged others to barbecue competitions.
One woman shared that about a year ago, she and her husband were involved in an accident. Dalton visited the couple in the hospital every day, sometimes staying for hours to talk.
The same woman received knowing nods and teary-eyed smiles when she shared another story about Dalton, who without warning, once showed up at her house and started painting her kitchen, a chore she had not had time to get to herself.
Still others shared stories of Dalton visiting those in need, baptizing many of the children and grandchildren in the parish, as well as changing lives in many ways.
“While he was here, he baptized your children and grandchildren and welcomed them into the family of God,” said Suss. “He touched the core of our lives by following that call.”