Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 July 19

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Wednesday, 19 July, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Wednesday (today): 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Vincent de Paul, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM , Mass, Feria.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Mary Magdalene, Penitent.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VII. Monthly Parish brunch following 10:00 Mass, at Schooners, on Warwick Blvd.

Pepper Pignataro-Crowder

On Thursday, the Sixth of July, at 4:28 AM, in the year of our Lord 2023, Pepper Pignataro-Crowder entered life eternal. He was born (approximately) on 15 June, AD 2007, in a West Virginia puppy mill. Following that wretched circumstance, he was sent to a shelter, where he experienced abuse. He was, in another ill-turn, then adopted by a dog-hoarder. When finally rescued from that situation, another abusive shelter awaited him.

All of this occurred during his first three-or-four years of-life. When removed from the last shelter, he was given training as a Companion Dog, and was assigned to Dr. Rose Pignataro, He lived-with and was loved-by her for roughly one and-a-half years.

During this time, he had several ministries. He accompanied Father Frank, the local Roman Catholic Priest in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Communion and convalescent calls. Fr. Frank quickly came to realise that the residents were more interested in seeing Pepper than they were in receiving the Sacrament, much to his consternation.

Similarly, when Dr. Pignataro would conduct wellness or exercise classes, Pepper would always get top billing on the schedule, as-in “Come to the stretching class today, with Pepper and Dr. Pignataro.” Much like Fr. Frank, she wondered where Pepper got the credentials to outrank her, and her twelve years of degree work!

In June of AD 2012, he came to stay with Canon Crowder. Originally, this was to be a short-term arrangement, before going to a new home in New York State, with four little girls. Due to his extensive abuse, he had negative reactions to most men, and to children. As it became clear that four little girls would be more than Pepper could comfortably manage, Canon Crowder made the decision to keep him.

One month later, he began accompanying Canon Crowder to S. Matthew’s Parish, in Newport News, Virginia, where the latter began serving on an interim basis. Pepper had been attending S. Columba Parish, in Warrenton, Virginia, where Canon Crowder had been Rector for over four years. When the Saint Matthew’s assignment was made permanent, in AD 2013, Canon Crowder and Pepper moved from Warrenton, to Newport News.

From the beginning, they were constant companions. Sleeping, eating, driving, working at the Parish, saying the Mass, making sick calls and more were all done together. Other-than out-of-town trips requiring air-travel for Canon Crowder, they were, virtually, always in each-other’s company.

When out-of-town travel was required, especially during the Summer, and over the Thanksgiving holiday, he began to travel with Charlotte Haden to her Mother’s home, in New Jersey. There, he would enjoy the company ~ and adoration ~ of her Mother, Karen, and her Sisters, Sue and Trish. He had a personal floatie, so that he could swim in the pool, and his Care Dog vest, for those times when he needed to visit Karen in hospital.

December of AD 2021 brought a diagnosis of congestive heart-failure for Pepper. He was immediately placed on medications. These were increased as-needed, ‘til he reached the maximum dosage, some time before he passed.

Pepper is survived by Canon Crowder, Dr. Pignataro, Charles and Charlotte Haden (who made their home his when Canon Crowder was travelling), their dog, Toby, and his extended family at Saint Matthew’s, with whom he loved to worship, eat, and visit. The end for Pep came quickly and painlessly. He is free from all burdens and discomforts. He now frolics in the heavenly fields above, with our Lord. Good-bye, Pep, ‘til we meet again ~ we love you.

Requiescat in Pace

Pepper ‘Pep’ Pignataro-Crowder

Was Born on 15 June, AD 2007

Fell Asleep on 6 July, AD 2016

Aged 16 years, 21 days