Public Address

On the Passing of Dolly Parton

            Grace and Peace to you all in the name of Christ our Lord,

     I receive, with abject sadness, the news that the beloved Country Music Star, Dolly Parton, has been reunited in death with her beloved husband Carl. First, know that the prayers of myself, this Basilica, and my family, are with Dolly’s family and loved ones at this time. I hope, wherever they are, that the Lord comforts them during their time of grief; she truly was a beloved woman.

I have been a fan of Dolly since I was a child, my beloved Grandmother loved Kenny Rogers; so, I was introduced to Dolly by way of “Islands in the Stream.” When I have my bad days, I listen to Dolly’s music, or watch interviews; her laugh could immediately bring up my spirits. She was honest, authentic, kind, compassionate, and all around a beautiful human being. She loved the LGBTQIA+ community so much, at a time when taking such a stance could lose one their entire career; she didn’t care, she loved them regardless. Dolly always said “it’s just a good thing I was born a woman or I’d have most definitely been a drag queen.” She even would laugh that she lost a Dolly look-alike contest. I will miss her music, her laugh, and the personality she had.

She truly embodied the Christian life, through her kindness and her witness. She truly lived the Gospel every day, and no matter varying opinions, nobody could say that she didn’t follow a loving Jesus. It is my firm belief, that of all of those who have gone before us, she will hear the words “Well Done, my Good and Faithful Servant.” I hope, wherever you are today, you will celebrate the life of such an incredible human being.

As the Head of this Church and this Denomination, for her work and witness, I plan to elevate Dolly to a position amongst the Saints of HCCoG, giving her a feast day, and patronage. The Saints and Martyrs are there to guide us on how we ought to live, and I cannot think of anybody more deserving of this honor than the Rhinestone studded Cowgirl, the Queen of Country Music, herself. Dolly professed the Christian faith, practiced prayer, explicitly attributed her abilities and blessings to God, repeatedly directed attention away from worship of herself, understood charitable work as an obligation to give more than she received, used her enormous resources to serve children and communities, maintained a lifelong relationship with Christian worship and gospel music, repeatedly invoked Jesus and God publicly, and understood her work as something that could glorify God and lift other human beings. I can find no cause in her as to why she should not enter this Church’s Calendar. As we remember her life, let us quiet our hearts and offer a prayer to the Lord, the God who loved her,

Let us pray,

Almighty and Everlasting God, Triune and Mysterious, we know that our times are in your hands. We commend to your caring hands, and your keeping, the soul of our beloved Sister, Dolly. May her witness, and her life, inspire us all to do works of good; and may her music continue to bring comfort. We pray to you, O Lord, that her desire for peace and division to cease will be answered. Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her; now and forever. May she rest in Peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

HCCoG Commendation

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, eternally blessed be thy name, to have taken out of this world the soul of our Sister, here departed. We therefore commend her soul unto the Lord, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through the same Lord, our God. When on that day, he shall raise up all of his servants, making our mortal bodies like his immortal and glorious one. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’ And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’ Then He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son…’” (Revelation 21:1-7 NASB)

            Now, in the words of the Aaronic blessing: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD cause His face to shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His face to you, And give you peace.

I remain, beloved children, friends, followers, and supporters, a laborer in the Vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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Legate Brandon Leg. Max.

His Holiness, the Legate
Holy Catholic Church of the Gospels
Bishop Ecclesiae of the Basilica of Saint Longinus the Centurion