June 26, 2009
The Christian Journey
Mary Winnecke: Exemplifying overflowing mercy
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Let me tell you about our friend who “though rich became poor so we might become rich.” He lived years ago, before time existed. Eventually he left heaven and became a human being like us without sinning. He shared our joys, hopes, dreams, problems and struggles. Our friend experienced everything we will ever experience. He understands us from the “inside-out” and is compassionate toward us.
Our friend even shared life’s darkest side, death. Unlike us, who will likely die from natural causes, some Jewish leaders — envious of his religious influence — unjustly executed him. He became poorer still allowing himself to undergo the shame of untruthful accusations and an unjust death sentence. However, three days later, His Father resurrected our friend proclaiming Him “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Although that would have been enough, on Pentecost, God and our friend poured out their Spirit on us.
We have become far RICHER still for we are now temples of our friend’s Spirit. We live our friend’s new life now anticipating the day when the Spirit will glorify even our mortal bodies.
Our friend taught us to be generous to the needy; to love not only our friends, but also our enemies; to forgive those who hurt us. Mercy is to be the hallmark of the Christian’s life because our friend’s Spirit is making us a new creation.
Let me tell you about another friend of 29 years, Mary Winnecke, who exemplifies the “overflowing mercy” of our first friend. Mary is a most faith-filled, loving person. She’ll immediately bring a smile to your face and a song to your heart. One would never know the tragedy that befell Mary’s family.
Mary’s daughter Natalie and her husband Tony Fulkerson were providing shelter to his sister, Debbie, and children until her divorce was final from Eric Wrinkles. Breaking into Natalie’s house in July of 1994, Eric murdered Natalie, Tony and Debbie. Eric murdered three adults and orphaned five children! (See Paul Leingang’s editorial in last week’s Message for details.)
The Indiana Attorney General ‘s Office informed Mary that Eric’s appeals are exhausted and he will probably be executed in July. We may say “good,” “no one deserves the death penalty more.” This is what Mary emailed me:
“Would you put in your bulletin asking everyone to write the Governor saying it’s time to stop the death penalty in Indiana? Murder is murder whether it’s abortion, death penalty or murder.”
Where does a mother find such mercy to invite us to join her in petitioning the governor to commute her family’s murderer’s death sentence to life-in-prison without parole? It is a gift from our friend’s Spirit dwelling within her.
Mary responded to my bulletin article: “You say kind words. My daughter died saving her niece’s life. My grandchildren were there, but did not die. I was blessed to raise them. When I think about even a corner of it, the pain is there. I am so blessed because Christ has taken away our anger towards him.”
A mother’s mercy for her daughter’s killer requests us to ask Governor Daniels to commute Eric Wrinkle’s death sentence to life-in-prison without parole.
She’s wants our help for something she deeply believes — the sanctity of all life “for God makes his rain fall and his sun shine both on the good and the bad.” Mary believes this even though she has every right to believe the exact opposite.
As the Catholic community of southwestern Indiana, think of the effect letters from households receiving this copy of the Message could have on Governor Daniels. His address is The Honorable Mitch Daniels, Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797.
God bless you.