Memories of Rev. Mary Edith Moody, friend and colleague in the Louisiana Inter-church Conference Commission on Aging.

Pic: Keith John Paul Horcasitas, Rev. Linda Reed, Maria Horcasitas, Rev. Mary Edith Moody

Rev. Mary Edith Moody Article – Louisiana Inter-church Conference February 2020 Newsletter

February - Black History Month – "Remembering an old Friend"

Article submitted by Mr. Keith Horcasitas, a long-time friend and supporter of the LIC and a mutual friend of the late Rev. Mary Edith Moody, who was also a long-time friend and supporter of the LIC.

“RING-A-LING-A-LING,” blasted and sounded my old landline telephone, which I dashed to answer back in the early 90s. “Keith,” asked the caller, “Can you give me a ride to the upcoming Aging Commission meeting with Rev. Dana Krutz for the Louisiana Inter-church Conference that will be held in Lafayette? “Sure, Rev. Moody! That would be great, and how's your dog, ‘Kingus’ doing?” I asked. “Oh great! Thanks for taking her to the Veterinarian for me the recently,” Rev. Moody noted. As always, she ended the phone call with a reminder that she would be praying for me and my family and with her lovely following phrase that gave rise to the song that I was once inspired by the Holy Spirit to write for her: “God bless you, so that you can be a blessing to others.”

As we are in Black History Month, I can't help but fondly recall the late Rev. Mary Edith Moody, who left an indelible mark of love on my heart. Rev. Moody dedicated her life to God through the ministerial role that had been her vocation. She provided leadership in her church, her neighborhood watch work, and numerous civic and other organizations. This was in addition to an active ministry schedule and multiple Board Memberships. In the past, she was also recognized by both the NAACP and Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance; the latter even established a Lifetime Achievement Award for her community-wide contributions.

The NAACP had noted how critical her presence and guidance facilitated the Citizens’ Task Force that worked to resolve the Consent Decree and improve Race Relations in the region. Fellow members had noted that when all attempts at consensus had failed, Rev. Moody initiated prayer and, as she has always been noted by her “gracious assertiveness,” she got people back on tract!

Rev. Moody gave of her time and energy to many needs. As a former hospital social worker, I had witnessed her ongoing visitation to patients. She did this simply out of the compassion of her heart – and she greatly facilitated the staff with difficult situations involving life and death. I had the privilege of actually being there for her when one of her family members was being cared for on my hospital unit. However emotionally drained or involved she may have been, she actually took the occasion to reach out to us – by her transparent love and open vulnerability.

Rev. Moody demonstrated many concrete “golden deeds” for me and my family, when I was specifically dealing with many crisis related to: 1) my parents/family being displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent need for my father to be placed in a local nursing home with Hospice care; 2) my mother suddenly died on June 1, 2006 due to Cancer; 3) a significant family member of mine being hospitalized multiple times for emotional needs; and 4) my own job changing situations that occurred during this time. Her golden deeds specifically were: 1) constantly calling and checking on me and my family, 2) visiting my parents/family members at home, the hospital or the nursing home, 3) bringing food or “items of encouragement,” and 4) most importantly, spiritual and emotional support with the desire for none of the above to be made known. I know that there are countless others who have similarly been blessed with Rev. Moody’s support – especially Post-Katrina.

There are many ecumenical and interfaith groups she worked with locally to bring people together in the community for common causes. Whether it was the Federation of Churches and Synagogues, Louisiana Inter-church Conference, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge and other such groups, she constantly made herself available in the following ways: consultant, Board Member, prayer leader, ad hoc committee member and otherwise.

Thank you, Rev. Mary Edith Moody, for all the many ways you have blessed and touched my and our lives … and so I'll end with the song that the Holy Spirit inspired me to write that embodies your ever giving love:
“Rev. Mary Moody, You love way beyond duty, Reaching out to all in need, Preaching out God’s Word in deed. May God bless you, So that you may be, A blessing to others, To those that you see ....”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5kMaXLgFp8