This is a video of Peter's favorite prayer concluding the Sunday services at Holy Nativity.  It was recorded on his last Sunday there, March 17, 2019, from behind the altar (from the choir), so the words may be difficult to hear. The final blessing is given by Rev. Margaret McCauley. This is the text of the prayer, also known as "A Franciscan Blessing:"

May God bless you with discomfort, at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,

so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,

so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen

May God bless you with tears, to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy. Amen

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can

make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen

This came up on my Facebook memories today.  It is so good to hear my friend's voice, and as was so often the case, his words bring so much comfort and grace.

Happy Birthday, Peter!  It still hurts having to accept that you and Kristen are no longer with us.  Happy hopes in heaven!

Golf course Peter and I met and played a ton of golf. — with Paul Clauson

Dear Peter, On what would have been your 68th birthday I write you this. I took a drive by the Altadena Golf Course the other day, our old stomping grounds. We shared a love for the game of golf and a friendship that lasted 45 years began. The fun and memories we shared are way too many to list here, but I remember them all. Thank you for the friendship, love, and support you gave me and so many others. The laughter and tears flow freely as I think about so many wonder times, the beard growing contest and the "peas in the rice" just to name a few. I love you my friend and I miss you dearly. But there will always be a piece of Peter Rood in me and I will keep that and cherish those thoughts and memories forever. Love Paul

March 17, Peter's last day as priest

Luke’s confirmation and Fr. Peter flew down to sponsor him — with Fr. Peter and Christie Gaynor

Today I shared a poem at Peter's memorial that he had shared with me on Christen's birthday.

Adrift

By Mark Nepo

Everything is beautiful and I am so sad.
This is how the heart makes a duet of
wonder and grief.

The light spraying through the lace of the fern is as delicate as the fibers of memory forming their web around the knot in my throat.

The breeze makes the birds move from branch to branch as this ache makes me look for those I’ve lost in the next room, in the next song, in the laugh of the next stranger.

In the very center, under
it all, what we have that no one can take away and all that we’ve lost face each other.
It is there that I’m adrift, feeling punctured by a holiness that exists inside everything.
I am so sad and everything is beautiful.

My dear step-father, Peter, with my beautiful mama, Christen. A spiritual adventure of a lifetime.

Holy Nativity Triptych and Our Lady of LAX

Peter and me in my studio with just completed Our Lady of LAX

I met Peter in 2003. My wife Lynda Modaff had been holding Girl Scout meetings at the church hall and noticed there was artwork hanging there. Being impressed with Peter's friendliness she said I was an artists and we should meet. Peter came by my house and we hit it off from the start. He asked if I would like to display some of my work at in the church hall and was thrilled to do so. The work still hangs there. As we got to know each other it became apparent that we would become great friends. I had never known a priest before and we shared many profound conversations about our passions for art, music, spirituality and good humor. He is responsible for me making the greatest artwork I have ever done. Creating the Holy Nativity Triptych and multiple other pieces at the church.  Applying my public art skills to liturgical themes which continues to this day. In 2006 he asked me if I would do a piece of art for a side wall inside the church. This became Our Lady of LAX. Completed in 2007.  Peter then asked me to create a Celtic Cross on the pavement leading up to the church which had just been replace. So, I created a beautiful cross in 2011 and also did a mural for the new community garden with help from an  Eagle scout project. I had been eyeing the central altar piece for years and we began talking about what I might do there. Peter wanted something that would honor the existing 1945 carved wood crucifix and also make a comfortable environment for recitals and political meetings that take place at the church. So, we came up with the idea of building a wall in front of the crucifix which could be open for church services. Peter came up with the Tree of life theme that opens to show the crucifix and stories from the life of Christ. It took me three years to design and complete the Holy Nativity Triptych in 2017. This inspired  me to adding side sections of the altar piece completed in 2019. Every time I attend church or go to the Irish music session held there I am moved by what Peter made possible. Challenging me to access my own creative center in ways that I could have never dreamed of. Expanding my soul and making me a translator of God's will. As I now begin working on a design for the entrance to the church I feel Peter's presence and encouragement. What an amazing person. Reading the stories and talking with friends I see how he touched all he came into contact with in a similar love amplifying way. So grateful to have been able to call him friend and will miss him dearly.   Steve O'Loughlin

Dear Fa. Peter,

I write dear, because it doesn't feel like you are no longer here.  You must be in a better place than this earth, and this earth is hurting without you.  I so appreciate your kindness, generosity, and the concern you showed me during my brother's, my cat Ming-Ka, and and Baba's deaths.  You made being nice seem so easy.  Fa. Peter, and you were so so very nice,  I will be missing you for a very long time.  Tell Kristen I said hello, and I know you guys are having good times singing some of your favorite concert pieces.  Take care Fa. Peter, enjoy being even closer to God, and I hope you are having a peaceful, but swell good time with our God and Savior Jesus Christ.  Bye bye, Fa. Peter.   Sincerely, Jo Eure

I first came to Holy Nativity Church not long after I moved to Regis Way in Westchester.  It was the worst time of my life having recently lost my marriage to divorce.  The pain was unimaginable as well as the shame of it all.  I felt adrift and overwhelmed by the tidal wave of grief that seemed to endlessly be falling upon me.  As I drove to work one morning, I saw Holy Nativity, and as it was only a few blocks from where I was living I decided that I would give it a try.  I am so glad that I did.  I was welcomed warmly by Father Peter and the congregation.  They did not judge me or make me feel unwanted, quite the opposite in fact.  I felt a part of this lovely and loving church family and was profoundly moved by their love for each other and for Father Peter.  Father Peter and his ministry became a beacon of sunlight to me in the darkest moments of my life!  I will never forget his genuine care, love, and concern for all of us and that smile that could light up an entire room.  He truly cared about us and every life that touched his.  People mattered to him and he walked his faith in Christ as an example to us all.  I am just one person who benefitted from his existence and ministry, but he blessed me greatly as he blessed so many others.  Thank you, Father Peter, for your stewardship and Christ-like love for us.  Your life made such a difference!

Peter and Shannon

Peter and I were friends for 30 years, and we simply became closer and closer through time. Everyone knows what a wonderful person he was. He was also a gifted priest and a true Christian with an interfaith soul. He believed in all of the important things in life, including justice and the care of creation. I recall his involvement with hotel workers in the LAX area. And he introduced legislation within the Episcopal Church to get it to stop investing in fossil fuels. How well that's been implemented, I don't know. But I remember him speaking to the issue in LA, and I know the Episcopal Church's General Convention made it policy. And Peter got that going. He had a profound impact on so many people in so many ways. His was a life well lived. I celebrate his life and grieve his death. 

I am missing Peter, my buddy for contemplative conversations while walking trails here on Whidbey Island. 

It was a delight to listen to his recollections of life with beloved Christen, reflections on his precious family, appreciations for dear friends. I am feeling sadness for the many conversations that were yet to be had on trails yet to be explored—along with celebration for a life beautifully lived. Sending love and support to everyone in Peter's life who is feeling the loss of his presence, especially his children and grandchildren. What a dear human. I am so grateful to have been able to walk with him.

Wedding of Patricia and Chris with Peter

I had the honor of knowing Peter the last weeks of his life. There was such joy in hearing and sharing stories of our pasts, of our loved ones, and of possible futures…Peter is one of the best men I will ever know. Christ’s love shone through his heart so clearly…and I feel his radiance beyond the shedding of his body. What a guy!!

I have known and called Peter friend for around 20 years. Peter was the epitome of a community builder, opening his heart and church campus to the homeschooling community for classes, building the community garden & gathering volunteers to maintain it, participating in Interfaith conversations, Yoga, Meditations, Jazz & Celtic Music, Art, Cooking, Scouting, (the mural in the garden is an Eagle Scout project) Environmental Change Makers.... The list goes on. I fondly remember the many deep and spiritual conversations we had, and how open he was to receiving the healing energy of Reiki, as well having me offer this modality at Holy Nativity Fairs, Pentecost celebrations, and private sessions. Peter was an example of how to bring people and the community together. He was a giving, humble, present, caring soul. I was touched when he visited & blessed me in the hospital when I had a health crisis.

I loved how Peter just lit up at the mention or sight of Christen. It pained me to see him so deeply lost and in despair when she past. As sad as I am to lose his presence here on earth, I am grateful that he is now reunited with her and together they are with Christ. To his family, his children and grandchildren, we send our love and condolences. Peter left a legacy that will live on through the communities he built with his presence and love.