BELMONT — Benedictine Father David Kessinger, the senior professed monk of Belmont Abbey, died peacefully in the Lord Feb. 7, 2021, strengthened by the sacraments.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Feb. 10, 2021, the Feast of St. Scholastica, at Mary Help of Christians Basilica.
Robert Kessinger was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Clifton Forge, Va., the son of Samuel K and Ethel Shughrue Kessinger. He first came to Belmont Abbey in the fall semester 1949 as a student in the junior college. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in history and economics at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., and later pursued graduate studies in library science at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Upon entering Belmont Abbey, he was given the name David and was sent for his novitiate formation to St. Bernard Abbey, where he made his first profession of vows on July 2, 1954. Following seminary studies at Belmont Abbey, he was ordained a priest on May 31, 1958.
Father David initially taught geometry in the prep school at Belmont, and served as librarian for the college for 13 years. He served for one year in each of the abbey’s dependencies in Richmond and Savannah.
Father David was a gentle soul and the kindest of men. He could never understand why anyone would be unkind, and he suffered much from life’s inevitable hardships. He himself never grew weary of offering assistance to others, and always willingly accepted any and all tasks he was asked to undertake. His sensitive nature, however, made him especially susceptible to disappointment and discouragement.
From his mother, a piano teacher, Father David received a love for classical music. He had an extensive knowledge of composers and their works and loved to listen to music, especially in live performances. He had a quick wit, made all the more effective by his own quiet and self-effacing personality. He could produce an endless supply of jokes with puns as a specialty. His training as a librarian made him an indefatigable researcher; an avocation which reached new heights with the advent of the photocopy machine and the internet. He shared a continual stream of articles, jokes, pictures and other materials with his confreres and friends, archiving copies of everything in his room over the years.
He was a devoted and faithful priest with a special compassion for the sick and homebound, and a kindness which made him a much sought-after confessor. He loved his duties as chaplain to the Sisters of Mercy, who readily returned his affection. He was devoted to his confreres, Abbot Walter Coggin and Father Kieran Neilson, with whom he made several pilgrimages to the Blessed Mother’s Shrine at Fatima.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sisters, Phyllis Kessinger and Sister Dolores Kessinger, C.S.C. He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey.
— Belmont Abbey College
HENDERSONVILLE — Deacon Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Triana passed away Jan. 23, 2021, at his home. He was 84.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at St. Barnabas Church in Arden.
He was born Sept. 11, 1936, in Miami, Fla., to the late Carlos M. Triana and Celia Ruiz Triana. He was married for 57 years to his “best friend” and love of his life, Mary Bornoty Triana, who passed away in May 2018. He was grateful for his wonderful life, family and church.
In 1976, Deacon Triana and his wife Mary moved from Miami to Maggie Valley to raise their three sons in a slower-paced, family-friendly environment. There Deacon Triana began a career in real estate and construction, and he served many years as a high school football referee.
Deacon Triana always wanted to serve God. He started as an altar server in the third grade and, after moving to Maggie Valley, he served at Holy Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Church assisting Father Michael Murphy. In January 1980, when Bishop Michael J. Begley announced the formation of a permanent diaconate program, Father Murphy went to him – the humble altar server – and told him he should apply.
Three years later, on May 29, 1983, Deacon Triana was one of 19 men ordained in the first class of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte.
He began his diaconate ministry at his home parish in Maggie Valley, where he served for 13 years. Later he served at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Candler and for a short time at Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville.
In 2009 he began serving at St. Barnabas Parish. Deacon Triana served his community and parish by performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, visiting the sick and elderly and working closely with the Spanish community.
His wife Mary was an important part of his life and his ministry. He once said, “There is no better life for me than to be a deacon. My wife Mary supports me in everything, even coming to three Masses on Sunday if I am serving three Masses. We are always together in ministry.”
Deacon Triana will be greatly missed at St. Barnabas and within the Church of Western North Carolina that he so greatly loved.
He is survived by his children: Dr. Rudy J. Triana Jr. (Victoria), Michael J. Triana (Shawna), and Andrew J. Triana (Alisha); grandchildren: Enrique, Antonio and Anabella; his brothers, Henry Triana (Juanita) and Gilbert Triana (Sylvia) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Flowers and memorials may be sent to St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, NC 28704.
Groce Funeral Home of Asheville was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald