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Fr. Zonneveld had a ‘missionary’s heart’

Mike Flach | Catholic Herald

The casket carrying Fr. Leo Zonneveld’s body is placed in the hearst following the funeral Mass Sept. 25 at Precious Blood Church in Culpeper.

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Missionhurst Father Leo J. Zonneveld, who served for 32 years
at Precious Blood Church in Culpeper, had “the heart of a
zealous missionary” who provided prudence and balance to his
community and the Arlington Diocese.

The native of Holland died Sept. 19 at the age of 81.

The Precious Blood community came out in droves Sept. 25 to
honor their former pastor. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde
was the celebrant of the funeral Mass. Father Charles
Phukuta, Missionhurst provincial, was the homilist. They were
joined by more than two dozen priests, as well as students
and faculty from Epiphany School in Culpeper.

“With a heavy heart we gather here today in the church that
you and Father Leo built,” Father Phukuta said in his homily.
“He was a great priest who touched the lives of so many
people.”

Father Phukuta, a native of the Congo, was newly ordained
when he arrived in the United States for the first time and
had his first encounter with Father Zonneveld.

They were attending an event in Arlington that included a
buffet dinner, which Father Phukuta had never experienced. He
filled his plate with salad and was looking for mayonnaise, a
common topping for salad in his native Congo. But instead of
mayonnaise, he put a spoonful of pudding on his salad, much
to his chagrin and the delight of Father Zonneveld.

“He was friendly,” Father Phukuta said. “He was a big brother
to many of us.”

Scriptures help us make sense of our hurting and grieving
hearts, he said. Reflecting on the Gospel passage in which
Jesus raises His friend, Lazarus, from the dead, Father
Phukuta said that hope means hoping when things appear
hopeless.

The challenge, he said, is never to give up, to realize it’s
never too late for God to revitalize a person, a church or a
nation.

“Our faith enables us to stand rather than fall,” he said.
“It enables us to get up after we fall.”

Our duty is to cooperate and obey the commands of Jesus, he
added. “That is how Father Leo spent his life – practical
obedience and doing God’s will. He tried his best to
collaborate with the Lord.”

In addition to his many contributions to the Missionhurst
community, Father Phukuta said Father Zonneveld served in
many different capacities at the diocesan level.

He was always a comforting presence who expressed loyalty and
love, Father Phukuta said.

“Culpeper was his first choice when his term as provincial
superior ended,” he said.

Precious Blood parishioners remembered their former pastor as
a person of deep Christian faith who was humble and a great
leader. He had an aptitude for finances and was a thoughtful
mentor and adviser.

“He treated others equally with compassion and love,” Father
Phukuta said. “He empowered people to use their gifts. Today
we celebrate the great, wonderful life of Father Leo.”

In the months before his death, Father Zonneveld accepted the
reality that he had finished his work here, he said. “He was
ready to go and meet the Master to whom he dedicated his
entire life. Thank you, Leo, for all you taught us and left
us. May his life be a beacon for us to follow.”

In comments at the end of Mass, Bishop Loverde recalled that
Father Zonneveld was one of the first priests he met when he
arrived in the Arlington Diocese 16 years ago.

“He was truly a brother to me,” the bishop said.

Father Zonneveld was a member of the Diocesan Finance
Council, the Tribunal, a diocesan consultor and dean of
Deanery IV.

For almost 33 years at Precious Blood, he was engaged,
available and oversaw the growth of the parish, Bishop
Loverde said.

“He had the heart of a zealous missionary.

“The cross comes to all of us,” the bishop said. “We don’t
choose it, but it is perfectly fitted for us. I hope his life
will inspire other men to be a priest like him.”

Donations in memory of Father Zonneveld can be sent to
Missionhurst-CICM, 4651 N. 25th St., Arlington, VA 22207.

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