A Bus Ride To Remember!
As we celebrate Father Gerry Kelly, Kimberly Bumbera shares a unique “Father Gerry Moment” during the long bus ride to San Pedro Sula back in 2019.
Some souls enter our lives quietly, yet leave an imprint on our hearts that time can never erase. Father Gerry Kelly was one of those extraordinary souls.
In 2018, I embarked on my very first mission trip. As a rookie missionary, I was eager to learn from everyone around me, but there was one person I especially hoped to know better—Father Gerry. Though he was unable to travel that year due to cancer treatments, his reputation as a joyful missionary, mentor, & servant of God had already touched so many.
Then came 2019.
On a long bus ride from Trujillo to San Pedro Sula, while many of our fellow missionaries rested, Father Gerry chose to spend his time sharing his life with me. He spoke of his journey, the people he had served, & the experiences that shaped his vocation. Then, with genuine interest & kindness, he asked about my own story & what had called me to serve.
What struck me most was not simply his wisdom, but the way he made others feel. In that moment, I felt seen, heard, & valued—as though I were the most important person in the world.
Father Gerry possessed a remarkable understanding of Honduras—its people, history, challenges, & culture. He spoke passionately about everything from agriculture & economics to faith & social justice, often reminding me, "By knowing, you can better serve." Those words have stayed with me ever since. As I research & write stories for our Mission Newsletter, I often hear his voice encouraging me to learn more, understand more deeply, & serve more faithfully.
When I attended Father Gerry's funeral, I listened as others shared stories remarkably similar to my own. Each person spoke of how he inspired them, encouraged them, & awakened within them a deeper desire to serve Christ through serving others.
That is what made Father Gerry so extraordinary. He didn't simply participate in mission work—he lived it. Every conversation was an opportunity to inspire. Every encounter was an act of love. Every day was a chance to bring others closer to God.
Though his earthly journey has ended, his legacy continues in the hearts of all those he mentored, encouraged, & loved. Father Gerry taught us that mission is not merely a destination—it is a way of life.
And for that gift, I will be forever grateful.
~Bendiciones, Kimberly
Honduras Catechesis Team
Hush, don’t reveal our little secret! While our fellow missionaries are busy providing medical & dental services, or building something, the Catechetical Team is hard at work...hard at work playing with the kids that is! But in reality we are also sharing our Catholic faith & spreading the Gospel. Kimberly Bumbera is excited about learning from Aurora Marsan to organize VBS for our next Mission Trip to Honduras!
To discover more about Father Gerry’s extraordinary life & to view a special video, please visit: https://hondurasmissionstaop.com/tribute-to-fr-gerry