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Lexington priest paying for funerals of children killed in Texas flood
By John McGary
July 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM EDT
A Lexington priest who’s kept a home in Texas for more than 50 years has pledged to pay for the funerals of people killed in the July 4th Guadulope River flood. Father Jim Sichko is a papal missionary of mercy and evangelist for the Diocese of Lexington.
“I immediately just followed my heart and said I would pay for the funerals as needed, for the children. And I didn't even know how many children there would be. That is part of the act of mercy that we are called to do.”
Sichko said people who want to help are sending money in his name to the Lexington Diocese. After May’s deadly tornado in southern Kentucky, he helped raise funds to purchase more than $60,000 in gift cards for survivors. Sichko said thus far, between seven and ten funerals have been paid for.
“I believe that God weeps with those individuals. God understands, just as he lost his own son, that he joins in their sorrow. But we also, as Christians, believe that death is not the end.”
Asked where the funds to fulfill his promise will come from, Sichko said he’s not sure, but cited the Bible story about two loaves and five fish that fed 5,000.
“I immediately just followed my heart and said I would pay for the funerals as needed, for the children. And I didn't even know how many children there would be. That is part of the act of mercy that we are called to do.”
Sichko said people who want to help are sending money in his name to the Lexington Diocese. After May’s deadly tornado in southern Kentucky, he helped raise funds to purchase more than $60,000 in gift cards for survivors. Sichko said thus far, between seven and ten funerals have been paid for.
“I believe that God weeps with those individuals. God understands, just as he lost his own son, that he joins in their sorrow. But we also, as Christians, believe that death is not the end.”
Asked where the funds to fulfill his promise will come from, Sichko said he’s not sure, but cited the Bible story about two loaves and five fish that fed 5,000.