Homily for Bailee Dunnigan
We believe in Bailee
We believe in her smile, in her joy for life, in her giggle, in her reign as the princess of the Kingdom of Dunnigan.
Bailee was loved by so many people, cared for by so many people that it is hard to mention all the groups. Her girlfriends, the kids at school, everybody of any importance it seems in New York City, the professional wrestlers, the people here at St. Ignatius, the healthcare professionals at All Children’s and Sloan Kettering, the people in the Marine Patrol, Robin, Mike and Michael’s legions of friends. On behalf of the parish, we thank you all for your love and supprot for Bailee and her family. And only Bailee Dunnigan could pull off having a priest in Church say, without getting in trouble with the bishop, "Thank God for the Hooter girls. Thank you for your love and support and for being such good big sisters to our little princess."
We believe that Bailee brought love to the world and the world is a better place because of her.
We believe in Bailee.
We also believe in Bailee’s Mom, Robin. I am sure that your complete devotion to your little girl seemed natural to you, but to the rest of us it was nothing other than heroic. One of the doctors told me that Bailee would never had made it as long as she did and be as happy as she was without you. You cared for your daughter, not just her body, but for your little girl. She always knew she would be OK because Mommy was there.
She was never alone. And she is OK. Her body may have failed, but her spirit and love which you nourished, continues.
We believe in Bailee’s Dad, Mike. You found a way to keep it together for 22 months, making sure your son had a home and traveling continually to New York so you could be family, at least on the weekends. I think you clocked more mileage than a salesman. You are a good Dad, and your princess knows it.
And we believe in Bailee’s brother Michael. I don’t know how you could have been a better big brother. You are one of the most unselfish young boys I have ever met. You were supportive and loving, you gave your bone marrow to help and then played with your sister. And your physical gift gave Bailee years. She died cancer free. More than that, your loving support kept your baby sister happy. You are a very good boy, Michael.
We believe in Bailee, we believe in her Mom, Dad, and brother, and we believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe that he cries with the rest of us at the death of this princess. He cried when his friend Lazarus died. He raised a little girl we call Tabitha from the dead. We believe the Lord cries with us when one of our innocent ones suffers the result of an imperfect world.
We also believe that Bailee’s spirit lives on with Jesus. We believe that when Jesus died on the cross, He gave his life to all who accept him into their lives. We believe that the only things that really matter in life are those that come from him and return to him. And we believe that all of Bailee’s joy and love
are reflections of Jesus’ love. Bailee’s spirit came from God.
Today, we send our little girl back to Him.
We believe, as Christians, that Bailee lives at her very best, the cute princess in the back yard, making believe she was a wrestler, writing and writing, taking control of events.Donna and John Barahona, friends of mine from Ohio who 29 years ago buried their daughter, Theresa, joined the thousands in prayers for Bailee and wanted you to know that you will always mourn your daughter, you will always miss her here on earth, but you also will always have a 10 year old with God.
Bailee is forever young, forever full of joy, forever laughing..... and forever organizing games in heaven.
We pray today, particularly for Robin, Mike and Michael and all Bailee’s extended family and many, many friends. You gave Bailee love and she returned so much back to you. The love involved is the love of Jesus, a love that never ends.
Through all the tears, we thank God for the love your family has brought to the world, and the love, the princess, we now commend to the God who is Love.
