Month: July 2022

Strangers become family

At his nomination for the presidency Abraham Lincoln gave what has become known as “The House Divided Speech.” He began with the following words: “A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.” The “house divided cannot stand” part of this speech is taken from the teaching of Jesus. It is so important that it is quoted in three of the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 

Last weekend we celebrated Mass together as a Family of Parishes. We now gather under the title “Mary, Queen of All Saints.” Now we must begin the work of forming the many into one, while, at the same time, preserving the mission, dignity, character, and life of our unique communities. I think Mary, Queen of All Saints is a good patron to have because, while the Blessed Virgin is Queen and Mother of all the saints, as well as the apostles and disciples, she does not replace them. Rather, she encourages, accompanies, supports, and intercedes for them. Their mission remains necessary, unique, and essential. As parishes and communities belonging to a family, we can be different, unique, but we cannot afford to be divided. A house divided cannot stand.

So where do we go from here? Interestingly, Lincoln had something to say about that also. When considering his run for the presidency Lincoln was faced with the prospect of forming and leading a new party. His advice to his companions and promoters was as follows: “If we could first know where we are going and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do and how to do it.” To move forward we must first have a plan, a map, truly a vision. That vision should be big, bold, passionate. It should be passionate enough to attract people to it so that they want to be part of it. Can we do that? Can we formulate, articulate, and create such a vision? Can we bring to life a vision of hope, a vision of faith, a vision of compassion, solidarity, and love? Maintaining what we have is too small a vision – God expects more, and we need more. How we do that – well that’s our challenge. If we can envision where we are going, then, we can work out how to get there – together.

Jesus gives us some good advice as we begin our journey: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. There will be many suggestions of what we should do, good ideas and maybe not so good. Quick fixes and slow deaths! I would like us to keep in mind that we should only ask of others what we would want them to ask of us. We should ask each other to do what we would be willing to do ourselves. Jesus asks us to first love one another and from love move forward. Jesus asks us to care for each other even though we might be strangers. The good Samaritan cared for a stranger and treated him as a friend, a brother, a sister, a member of his family. To be honest all families do this every day – a child is born and in that moment a stranger becomes the center of the family; a son or daughter marries, and a stranger becomes a son or daughter. That’s life! And how good it is! We are not strangers – we are family and families take care of each other. How do they do it? They find a way. Now, let’s find our way!

I was born in Dublin, Ireland, 14 January 1964. My parents are Gerry (deceased) and Martha. I have four siblings, David, Gerard, Deborah, and Stephanie, all living in Dublin. My sisters are identical twins. I have 11 nieces and nephews and two great nephews. I graduated from Scoil Fursa (Catholic Elementary School, Dublin) and Belcamp College (Catholic High School, Dublin) as well as All Hallows College (Dublin), The University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum, Rome), and the International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton (Ohio). Ordained in Ireland 1993, I came to the United States for post-graduate studies. I became a citizen of the United States in 2000. After serving as a parochial vicar at Holy Angels, Sidney, Ohio for three years, I was appointed by Archbishop Pilaczcyk to the faculty of the Athenaeum of Ohio and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in 2000. In 2011, I was appointed first recipient of the Daniel E. Pilarczyk Chair of Systematic Theology. In 2011 I was appointed by Archbishop Schnurr President of the Athenaeum and Rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West. After completing my seven-year term as President/Rector I was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Victory July 2018. I began my new appointment as pastor of our parish family on the 1^st July 2022, which happens to be the feast of St. Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh, a martyr – which seems appropriate. I have two  dogs name Blathene (Irish for Little Flower) & Dev, and three cats :Gail, Maggie, and Boo-boo.

Some people have asked about Mass schedules. At this time Mass schedules, for Sunday, Weekday, and Holy Days, for each parish remain the same. It may be necessary in the future to make some changes but that situation is not immediate and we will receive plenty of notice of any changes. 

“If someone offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes, then learn how to do it.” This is the advice of the incredible British entrepreneur, Richard Branson, surely one of the most successful, creative, and adventitious businessmen of our time. We are not always ready for the opportunities that present themselves to us. Sometimes we don’t know if we can accomplish what is expected, or even if we know what is expected or where the opportunity will lead or what it will demand. Today in the Gospel Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples, two by two, He sent them. Surely, they could not have known what that “opportunity” involved, where the road would take them, or the demands that it would make upon them. And yet, off they went! That took courage, faith, and spirit.

Almost two hundred years ago a small group of Catholic men, women, and children, began a community here on the westside of Cincinnati. They could not have known that that small little start would lead to such a great movement and Catholic presence. Not only are there the five parishes of our Family of Parishes, but many more in this small area, all growing from that courageous, faithful, and spirited group of Catholic immigrants.

What we have, who we are, and what we value, all began as an act of Catholic faith. Our courageous, faith-filled, tenacious, determined, ancestors, families, and parents, first built churches, then schools, then parishes, convents, hospitals, and then an entire catholic culture. Being catholic defined who they were. They were disciples of the Lord and had the courage to be Catholic, in a day, a time, and a country, where they were not always welcomed and embraced because of their Catholic faith. Here on the westside of Cincinnati, they had the courage to build a Catholic community, a Catholic presence, and a Catholic culture. Being disciples of the Lord, sent out, to build the Kingdom of God, being family, defined who they were and what they were about.

They began small but they dreamed big. Who could have known what was to come of their efforts? And here we are! Today, the task of going out two by two, the commission to build the kingdom of God, to be a light in the world, is passed on to us. It is our turn to have the courage, to be tenacious, to be faithful and faith filled. It is our turn to dream big and to build an even greater legacy. God has given us an amazing opportunity and we say “yes” to God for every gift we need to do what God asks of us God has already given to us. Together, we will form a vision, together we will move forward, together we are sent out by the Lord, and together we have the potential to make a true difference for everyone. “Don’t be afraid” the Archangel Gabriel said to our beloved Mother, “for with God all things are possible.” Like Mary, all we have to do is say yes to God and great things will happen.