Mrs. Tami Kozinski offers these beautiful reflections on her student Janine, which can also be viewed at http://catholicelan.blogspot.com/2008/02/courage-of-pure-heart.html

Everyone here has been affected by Paul in one way or another. We’ve been struck by his zealousness, conviction of faith, determination, and yes, even his eccentricity. Paul was not willing to compromise with his beliefs, and you all certainly know how committed he was to the protection of the unborn. He was a man of great charity, helping the hungry and the homeless, adopting a Franciscan way of life. Some of us wondered if he would forever be a wanderer. But perhaps, like Christ, he was not made for this world and simply had no place to rest his head. When we were younger Paul said he wanted his occupation to be a professional hobo. Looks like he won. But Paul was just a great guy who could make you laugh, sometimes drive you nuts, but always there to support, comfort, and offer words of wisdom. We loved him, and we know we were loved by him.

So the question on many of our minds is “why so young?” Why was he taken from us at such a young age? I had always thought someday he and I would become priests together and concelebrate the Mass. He was such a good, solid Catholic with an amazing future ahead of him, so why now?

Why not now? He is now a good and solid Catholic with the heavenly kingdom before him! Now he may rest on the bosom of our Lord God, and experience the immediacy of the Holy Mass in its fullness! He needs no longer wait for the Body of Christ to lay upon his tongue, that he may consume the host to experience Heaven, but it is he who is consumed by the Almighty Love of God—Heaven present all around him!

However, even though we may know this, it is still difficult for us all to bear. In an earthly sense, Paul has left us, and by that physical separation, we might find ourselves uncertain of what to do next. Sorrow pierces our hearts, and we may feel anxious, angry, aimless, and confused. When Jesus physically left the apostles, they too were uncertain of what to do next. So what did they do? They gathered in the upper room to pray with Jesus’ Mother. They waited on the Lord to instruct them in their time of trial and difficulty. The Holy Spirit then descended upon them as tongues of fire, and their mission became clear. The Advocate gave them the words and the strength to move forward in God’s Holy Will. So too, if we go up to pray with Our Lady, will there be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit: gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Reverence, Courage, and Wonder & Awe. We have already seen such amazing fruit within only one week, as we have read in articles, the internet support groups, the overall uniting of those who have been touched by Paul during his life, and some have even felt the initiative to return to the Church. Paul continues to serve, even in death.

I would like to conclude that it is no coincidence that Paul died on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. His earthly mother Mary presented him to the Lord when he was born, and now that Paul is born into new life, his spiritual Mother Mary presents him to the Lord.

Paul Sanders, may you forever live in the peace of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do not grow weary or let your zeal become thin, but continue your mission—even now—where you can do far more for the injustices against the unborn, the poor, the needy, and the suffering, than you ever could in your earthly life.

Paul’s close friend, Steve Marsh, presented this eulogy before the start of the funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Kinkora, Ontario. They attended the same high school, were housemates, and recorded songs together. Their band was named “Phil from Marketing.” Steve says that he and Paul were such close spiritual brothers that they made a deal to “freely criticize one another wherever we saw fault so as to keep one another in line.”

OLSWA wishes to extend heart-felt thanks to all who expressed sympathy and offered prayers after the deaths of Janine Lieu and Paul Sanders. Your support has been a great consolation in our time of mourning. In turn, OLSWA continues to pray for the families and friends of the deceased, and for the souls of Janine and Paul.  

Janine Lieu, 22, of Vancouver, BC			Paul Sanders, 24, of Mitchell, ON

Our beloved Janine and Paul are remembered in a beautiful piece by John Henry Westen, Life Site News Editor and friend of OLSWA.

As well, the eulogy that Paul's friend Steve Marsh gave before Paul's funeral Mass can be viewed here.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy mourns for two beloved students, Janine Lieu and Paul Sanders, after a tragic accident that took place on the first weekend in February.

On Saturday afternoon, four of our students drove down to Combermere in a minivan belonging to one of them, on a personal trip. At some point during the trip, they drove onto the frozen lake with the minivan and it went through the ice.  Two students made it out but Janine and Paul did not survive. 

The trip was not an Academy-sponsored event, and the school was at the time on a pre-scheduled three day study break, February 2-4.  The entire community is shocked and saddened, and our focus is on prayer, mutual support, and consolation of family and friends. We invite all concerned to add their prayers to those of the families and friends.

Students are visibly saddened but are finding comfort in the support of their friends, faculty, staff, and concerned members of the community.  Several priests, deacons, and trained psychologists have been continually present to the Academy community for consolation and grief counseling.

There has been a steady stream of both spontaneous and organized prayer services in response to this tragic accident, most of them held in the very supportive local parish church of St. Hedwig.  Masses, rosaries, and
all-night vigils have been and will continue to be held.

We greatly appreciate the continued prayers of all concerned people throughout what will no doubt be a long and difficult grieving process.

OLSWA extends its deepest sympathy to the families of Janine and Paul.  We are keeping you close in prayer.