The Book of Bishops (The Bishop of . . . )

 It is time to produce the final segment of this Book and to introduce the final Bishop being remembered here. It is time to share some interesting interactions between myself and this "Mystery Bishop" whom I saved to the last.

It is time and long overdue but that is because in the interval I have been dealing with some personal health matters. But that is another story and one about which I simply request that you continue to remember me in your prayers. I am doing well, still kicking (so to speak) and trying my best to provide ministry.

That said, on to the final Bishop.

Who is not and never actually was a Bishop of Detroit. 

At least not technically. I say that because in a sense he just might be considered the Bishop of Detroit and of every other diocese and archdiocese in the world.

I am speaking of The Bishop - That would be the Bishop of Rome.

Specifically, John Paul II.

And, yes, we have had some interesting interactions, some direct and some indirect.

So, let me share with you some special memories.

The first dates back to the first visit of John Paul to the United States and is would be classified as a remote contact memory.

During his first visit, a special gathering was scheduled in Philadelphia for the clergy of the USA. Those who could, were welcome to take part.

I went.

It was a morning gathering in one of the Philadelphia's churches. The exact name and location excape me. I just know that, along with numerous other priests from across our land, I was there and I was seated very near the center aisle.

John Paul would enter and exit via that center aisle and I had my camera on the ready. I would get a good close-up of the Holy Father.

Or so I thought.

His entrance was not photogenic as he was, as I recall, turned in the other direction, looking at and greeting those across the aisle from me. I could get a photo of his back but that was far from my plan. I would wait for the exit.

And so it came.

And he was looking squarely in my direction as he came down the aisle.

Ahead of him and on either side of him were Seccret Service agents, assigned for his protection.

I leaned out into the aisle, camera in hand, ready to get the photo of lasting memory.

And then I got it!

Not the photo of my dreams but a swift, sharp blow to my ribs from an accompanying Secret Service agent!

I was, in the moment, perceived as a potential threat.

My first memory of John Paul, my first contact, so to speak, was not the photo but sore ribs!

The day would come when I would get that photo but this, clearly, was not the day.

More memories ahead!

Book Break - Update

 Just a quick note to inform you that the final chapters of The Book of Bishops are yet to come.

However, at present I am taking a bit of a break to deal with some other items and issues.

Tomorrow, August 1, I am scheduled for a biopsy.

I have already had a PET Scan and so am now will be awaiting the results.

While this happens, I am just going to refrain from any writing pressures.

Meantime, I do ask your understanding and most importantly, your prayerful support.

I hope to return to the final episodes of The Book of Bishops soon.

Thought I should provide you with an update on today's proceedings. So here goes:

Finally home again. This is what I know at present.

I am tired and plan on resting. At this point I have put a possible cancel for Sunday just in case.

Right now the throat is sore and needs to be rested. They said it should be better in about 24 hours but that is already getting close to Sunday. At present not speaking is best and that is what I will try to do. They went in with a scope down the throat into the lungs.

The results will not be available for a week at least so we do need to wait on those.

Meantime, my sister did say that the doctor told her they found two densities which were biopsied and also a couple of lymph nodes with nodules which were also biopsied.

That is about all I know for now.

The Balanced Life staff here (medical/special care on site here) have been briefed and will be checking in on me as well and my sister offered to come back tomorrow if needed.

But for right now, I am just tired and planning on getting to sleep rather soon

Thanks to all for your prayerful support and kind words.

The Book of Bishops (The Vigneron Era - Payback Time?)

 Pope Francis - if you are perhaps reading this (in your dreams, Ronald!) than I would like you to consider a very special request.

Our Archbishop turned 75 last October and in accord with requirements for bishops, he has submitted his retirement offer. Presently we are awaiting the naming of his successor and that would enable him to enter into and begin enjoying retirement.

And that is where my request enters the picture.

When all of this actually happens, could you possibly find him "part time" job, perhaps even at the Vatican. It could just be something where he would be attending some meetings, perhaps monthly,

I would appreciate that and also believe that it might be fair.

You see, I enter that retirement, senior clergy status on July 1, 2008. A few months later Allen Vigneron was named to succeed Adam Maida as Archbishop of Detroit. He would be moving back here to his home turf after some time as Oakland, California's bishop.

We welcomed him quite properly in January, 2009, even freeing him with a major snowstorm and bitter cold just to remind him that this, indeed, Michigan.

Some time, shortly after  his return, he began naming members to the Presbyterial Council, an advisory board to the Archbishop.

And I was named,  retired or not, I was named and, of course, that meant a monthly meeting every month from September to May.

And I still wonder. Was this some sort of acknowledgement of my skills and service or was this some sort of payback for the time he had to spend in training under my supervision during his deacon year in Romeo, Michigan!

Anyhow, now in addition to the assistance I was providing parishes on weekends and in addition to the ministry I was offering to the Dominican Sisters in Oxford, Michigan and in addition to the adjunct teaching I was doing at the Seminary in Orchard Lake, I had the joy of attending monthly meetings.

I thought that was one thing I had "escaped" in retirement.

But not so!

And add to that in May, while I was relaxing and enjoying some time away in Florida, there came a phone call from those Downtown Offices.

Now I was also named (asked to take a position = the more tender terminology) on the Archdiocesan Worship commission.

And more monthly meetings!

Well obviously I accepted as I had the Presbyterial Council role and off I was going, regularly, to those meeting things that I thought I had escaped!

For whatever reason I was named, I did accept and I tried as best as I could to serve.

And now, Pope Francis, I am humbly requesting that you provide Allen Vigneron with the same opportunities and honor when that day comes and he enters official "retirement."

Give him the joy of some additional meetings.

Oh and by the way, when I finally ended my terms with those meetings, the very same Allen Vigneron expensed gratitude to me by gifting me with a book.

It is titled - Death by Meetings!

A bit more to come - some comments about a "surprise" bishop!

The Book of Bishops (Vigneron - Still More)

 Just like this coming year (2025) 1975 was a Holy Year. 

That means that pilgrims from around the world, people of faith, make a special journey to Rome and the four major basilicas (St. Peter's, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran) become important stopping points in the journey. Each of these sites has a Holy Door which is ceremonially opened at the start of the Holy Year and those making the pilgrimage enter these places through the Holy Doors.

For some time I had been talking about and hoping for an opportunity to make a trip to Europe. Friends also spoke of the possibility but, sounding like true Detroit's supporting major sports teams from this city, the response was predictably "But wait until next year."

We talked; we dreamed; we waited.

It seemed always to be next year.

Well, in 1975 I decided that I was not going to just sit back and wait until next year. Without asking anyone else, informing anyone else, I struck out on my own. The Archdiocese of Detroit was sponsoring a pilgrimage that year and I just went ahead and signed up for it. I figured that this  would finally get me across the Pond and onto European soil. I had no idea of who else might be going on this trip but I also figured that they would be locals, we could get to know each other and perhaps some of us just might already know some of the others.

What did I have to loose?

As an added bonus that was also within the timeframe in which Allen Vigneron, then a deacon, was fresh back from Rome and doing his final year with me at St. Clement of Rome in Romeo.

He could give me a few tips in terms of traveling Rome and Italy.

And I was not wrong. Not by any stretch.

He provided me with instructions for getting around, for how to enjoy various dining experiences in the Eternal City, for sights to see and how to see them efficiently.

He introduced me to the wonders of another St. Clement of Rome - the Basilica a short distance from the Collosium. This gem is an all too often ignored or forgotten treasure  for exploring so much of Rome's history. In this treasure I have presided at Mass in the upper basilica (medieval) and the lower basilica (5th century?) and walked ancient Roman streets.

He also introduced me to a now long-gone family operated Italian restaurant in  Detroit, no real signage and based in a neighborhood house but one with the finest, freshest home-made pastas and sauces. Oh, and the place did not even have a liquor license. However, they did somehow manage to serve "light" and "dark" coffee in pots, poured into coffee cups and flavored anything but coffee-like!

By the time I was finally headed to Rome, I was well prepared, perhaps better than most and that was thanks to the now Archbishop of Detroit, Allen Vigneron.

There is still more to come . . . soon . . .

The Book of Bishops (Vigneron)

 Yes!

It has been a long time but that time was filled with some other things - like Lent and Ester and an outside engagement and even a bit of cardiac surgery. But now it is time to resume and bring this Book Of Bishops to a close.

And to do that we need give some mention to the current (and outgoing) present Archbishop of Detroit, Allen Vigneron. I list him as "outgoing" not so much for his public persona but rather for the fact that he has now turned Seventy-Five years of age and has been required to submit his letter of intent to retire to the Holy Father. No word has come yet as to when that will actually happen or who will step into the position after him. So currently he is a lame-duck holding down the fort until someone higher up makes a move.

And when I titled this chapter, you will take note, I merely used his last name rather than the full name ad title.

That is because there is very little to tell about tales and experiences with him while he has been Detroit's Archbishop. I retired on July 1, 2008 and he assumed his position early in 2009. During his years, since I was now retired, I tried as much as possible to stay out of his hair.

I had another reason to take a set back.

I knew him long before he began to wear that pointy hat.

Actually, I knew him before an ordained presbyter!

We go backto a time when I was a fresh, still wet behind the ears pastor and he was a student, recently ordained a deacon and now back home in the United Sates after his theology studies in Rome. He was assigned to me for in service training in the year prior to his priestly ordination.

I had, some months earlier, completed my graduate studies in Liturgical Theology at the University of Notre Dame and had been assigned as pastor of St. Clement of Rome Paarish in Romeo, Michigan. I was also serving as advisor/consultant to the Archdiocesan Worship Office, providing workshops and training sessions in the newly released liturgical books. Add to all of that I was serving as adjunct faculty in Liturgical Theology at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary grad school in Orchard Lake.

And now I had placed under my wing this brilliant academic, newly minted in Rome, no less. And I had oversight of his final step in the journey to the priesthood.

Long before he was anybody's bishop, Allen Vigneron was deacon with me at Mass at the altar of St. Clement of Rome. Long before he was the chief teacher of the faith in any diocese, he was proclaiming his earliest homilies from the pulpit at St. Clement of Rome.

In all honesty, I hardly knew what pastoring really meant back then. I was still truly learning.

But I was also entrusted with teaching.

And my prime pupil was a young man named Allen Vigneron.

Who knew what lie ahead!

If only . . .

But he went on to get ordained and that actually happened right there in the church building of 

St. Clement of Rome.

And he did spend a bit more time in ministry in parishes.

And he added more years and courses  to his repertoire even returning for more studies in Rome.

Eventually he was added to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary where he became Vice-Rector and then Rector, himself now in charge  of the formation of many future priests, deacons and lay ministers.

And from that on to bishop, associate in the Detroit Archdiocese.

But after a brief while he was moving across the country to assume responsibility for his own Diocese in Oakland, California.

And at last, maybe when it was deemed safe since I was now retired, he was brought back to Detroit to serve, as he has and continues for the time, as the Archbishop of Detroit.

I recall a time when I remarked to him, "Do you know how strange it is for me to mention your name when I pray the Eucharistic Prayer?"

To which he replied, "Strange for you? Do you know how strange it is for me to hear my name in the Eucharistic Prayer!"

There are a couple of tales to share . . . soon . . .

The Book of Bishops - The Maida Era (Retirement)

 Retirement!

That time of life was drawing ever closer. Social Security checks were already a monthly regularity. The parish which I was serving at the time was now fiscally solvent and spiritually and socially vigorous. It was easy now to consider that the time was coming to take that big step back.

As if to provide some frosting for that cake, we were engaged in something called "Together in Faith" or some such. A general meeting of a number of regional parishes with several archdiocesan officials made it very clear that the times, they were changing. The priest shortage was now become very real and increasing. A number of parishes were running into increasing fiscal difficulties. The overall impact on the archdiocese was beginning to show, big time.

And so I made a phone call.

To downtown.

With a question - can one retiree when one is turning seven or must one wait until actually turning seven.

The answer was a joyful relief.

Even if only still a youthful sixty-nine, if that would be the year of turning seventy, you can submit for retirement.

Nice to have a birthday in November.

And so the process began. 

One critical step, an early step in the process involved a one on one meeting with the Archbishop to formally submit the retirement request and to discuss retirement plans and possibilities.

Proving truw to form (mine) I asked where this meeting would take place.

Downtown in the Office of he Archbishop, I was informed.

To which I responded - "Nope!"

Can't be there!

Over all so many years I had so very many one on one meetings with the various Archbishops of Detroit in their private study in their residences. I wanted to go out with one more meeting in that familiar territory.

And my request was granted.

I would meet to submit my retirement request to Adam Cardinal Maida at his home and in his study. At that time he had also reached retirement age for bishops and had submitted his intent to the Holy Father in Rome. He was now awaiting a response to his retirement request.

We met. We discussed many of the usual and predictable matters. He asked about my plans, living arrangements, intentions for keeping busy and active as possible. We talked about the years gone by. We made the promises of praying for each other and remembering each other. Words of gratitude were also spoken.

And the time came to say, "Goodbye."

We stood together at the door.

And then Adam Cardinal Maida looked right at me and declared, "I think I should suggest to Rome that you now be named to take my place as Detroit's Archbishop. Then I could retire and you could stay busy for a few more years!"

Nice thought!

But not my thought, certainly and definitely not in my playbook.

And so it was that I said my Goodbye.

And began the countdown to July 1, 2008.

And there is still the Vigneron Era!

The Book of Bishops - The Maida Era (Don't Cry for Me . . . and bells!)

 Remember that Broadway musical, later a movie - Evita?

Many great songs within the telling of a great story but presently one of those songs stands out in my mind.

Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.

Evita sings that, reflecting on the many life sacrifices" she has made for love of her country.

Anyhow, the melody and especially the words, "Don't Cry for Me" are ringing in my mind as I begin this writing. My last blog installment relayed my producing a researched paper regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation at a time when the hierarchy was debating and discussing the proper age for the Sacrament. End result was that the paper was never acknowledged.

That prompted some messages to me expressing support and sympathy for hard work ignored. While I appreciate all those kind words, I have survived and now, in retrospect, can declare, "No regrets."

That research and resulting paper were never solicited by any authorities. I choose to do it feely on my own. Call it a work of love for the Church. Nothing was due me for it. And for those who asked if a copy might still be available, unfortunately this goes back to a time before storage disks and such. So, lost in time. But if anyone really wanted to do a study of Confirmation and its disintegration in the Western Church, other, even more thorough and technical studies have been done and can be found. (Not, I would suspect, in most bishops' libraries!)

But let's get back to those tales about Detroit's bishops and some of my dealings with them.

Like this little episode.

This one takes place in my days as pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Clair Shores.

Let  me suggest that this parish was something of a scavenger!

We had stained glass windows in certain areas, retrieved from a closed parish and restored. We had bells from Immaculate Conception Church in Poletown, retrieved when GM managed to gain land rights.

And in my time we retrieved the majestic pipe organ from the recently closed St. David's Parish in Detroit. Having rescued this beauty, we hired professionals to completely rebuild it and modernize it into a state of the art instrument. The project lasted a number of years and at various times needed review by the Archdiocesan Board of Consulters, headed, of course, by our very own Archbishop, Adam Maida.

He was in on the project from almost day one and so,  when finally the instrument was installed and deemed ready to go, it was only proper to invite the Archbishop to preside at Mass and do the actual blessing of the restored, refurbished instrument.

The invitation was accepted and date and time were set for the blessing of the organ. Excitement was high because so much time, effort, and yes, even cash had gone into this work.

Pipes, gleaming like new now graced the wall above the choir as well as the wall behind the loge. The old electronic instrument was out and seriously outclassed.

Ministers were vested and ready in line to process in beginning this grand event.

At the end of the procession was the Archbishop with me, as pastor, at his side.

All was set to begin when the Archbishop leaned over to me as, just to be certain he was on the right page, asked me, "I will be blessing the bells, right? I'm here to bless your new bells!"

Several folk nearby must have heard that because there were several very audible gasps.

I believe that I found myself straining to hold back some serious laughter.

Remembering, I thing that laughter is still eager to burst loose!

Infallible - maybe not this time!

Maybe a bit more from The Maida Era

The Book of Bishops - The Maida Era (That topic again!)

Sometime early on, as I recall it, during the Maida Era, the bishops of the United States began examining yet again the proper age for administering the Sacrament of Confirmation. Over the years in many places various customs and practices had emerged.

While the general practice seems  to be Confirmation sometime around grade four, five or six, some parishes were being given permission to request Confirmation prior to First Communion. That had been in many places up to the early years of the Twentieth Century the common practice. Of course, in the Easter Catholic traditions that has always and still remains the practice. In fact in many of these traditions Confirmation is administered immediately after Baptism. And yes, that means to infants.

In the Roman Tradition according to the directives of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) or as it is coming to be known these days, the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Confirmation is administered immediately after Baptism and prior to First Communion. The thinking behind this practice is that one is admitted to Eucharistic Communion as fully initiated, which means Baptized and Confirmed. Matter of fact in the directives for the RCIA (ok - the OCIA) it is stated that the practices of this Rite set the norm and standard for our practices with our infants and youth.

Add to all of this the fact that back in the days of that What Age debate there were also places, whole dioceses in fact, where Confirmation was being delayed until young adulthood, around ages 18, 19.

Many different views, approaches, manners of handling this thing called Confirmation. All of which makes me recall that sit down discussion I had so many years earlier with our then Archbishop, John Dearden.

And now Adam Maida was in the thick of the matter - not with me directly as of yet but as a part of the group of American Bishops, discussing and debating what to do with this thing called Confirmation.

And let us add to this mix still another factor. And this is one that usually makes me less than popular with this group, but, hey, I have to say what I have to say.

This group would be the very dedicated, very noble ministers involved in the field of Religious Education. While Liturgy and Liturgical Theology may not be their forte, concern for our youth and for their faith certainly is. And that is a force coming into play in the Confirmation Age debate.

In this field Confirmation coming too early, like say before First Communion, just might mean we loose too many right after First Communion. Making the age for Confirmation some years later means these youngsters need to stick with the program at least for a few more years, longer to work with them in the faith. Much experience has taught us all that a good number of parents stop "fighting" with their young about religious education just as soon as Communion has been received and those Confirming Oils have dried. Our liturgical rites are seen as a sort of Religiion Graduation. So, the longer the delay, the more time we have to teach.

And the question continued - when should we Confirm? At what age?

That is when I decided to enter the debate, uninvited of course, but eager and willing nevertheless.

I wrote and researched a paper on the very question. Citing history, historical and liturgical practices, theological and scriptural sources and all of that good stuff which you have just read plus more, I produced a paper that maintained that asking when to Confirm was really the wrong question. What was needed was to ask why we Confirm.

When we ask the "Why," we develop the theology of Confirmation. However, when we ask the "When," we are tempted to create all sorts of "theologies" for this sacrament. Like, for example, teaching that Confirmation is affirming those Baptismal promises made by godparent and parents for an infant, or Confirmation is entering Christian Adulthood. None of these are historically, theologically or scripturally justified!

So I produced my paper.

And presented it to gatherings of clergy and theology minded folk for response, reaction and review, all affirming and acclaiming the work.

And then I sent it off to Archbishop Maida, hopefully, to provide him with some solid material to take into the discussions, debates and decisions on the subject taking place at that time.

And, sort of disappointingly, I never heard a word  back!

Not even a simple acknowledgement that the document had been received let alone actually read.

I simply say that I did try to serve with a little theological insight.

But a lot of years have passed now, a whole lot of years.

And still I wait to hear something.

While around me the Confirmation Graduation Dance into Adulthood (and out of Religious Education) continues.

Of Course: The Maida Era continues

The Book of Bishops - The Maida Era (Beginnings)

 Let's start this era off by warning that, from here on in, things are nowhere near as interesting or exciting as previous eras. And there are fewer tales to tell.

But I can start things off by relating our very first meeting.

It was interesting and most unusual.

Adam Maida took over the Archdiocese of Detroit while I was on sabbatical, studying over in Rome. I got the word while far from home.

However, as is the usual custom, when such an appointment is made, the newly appointed makes a special trip to Rome to meet with the Pope and, perhaps, spend some time discussing the appointment, expectations, findings and observations, and the like. This was no exception.

Adam Maida was making a journey to Rome.

And on the agenda during his time there, he was including some time for us to meet.

Matter of fact, his invitation involved a fine dinner at one of the nicer restaurants of Rome. Members of the hierarchy are usually quite familiar with places like that.

A couple additional Detroiters, also in Rome for various studies, would be included in the dinner but it would be a rather select, intimate gathering of merely a handful of us.

The evening arrived as did the car sent to pick us up and deliver us to the restaurant.

The meal, traditional Italian of course, was absolutely delightful as was the wine.

Eventually conversation and attention turned to me. 

The new Archbishop of Detroit wanted some advice and he had evidently done his homework. He  knew about my involvement in various projects and activities, most especially at that moment, my involvement in the Convocation of Priests that had been held in 198.

It was the first and only.

In the remaining years of the Szoka Era no additional Convocation had been held.

Now the new Archbishop was asking if I thought we should resume the practice. Is it worthwhile? Does it have possibilities? Should he call another one?

My advice was that it was a good took if handled properly and it had positive possibilities. I was not just strongly in favor of calling a second Convocation but I also offered to help in any way I could to make it happen.

That was the beginning for me of the Maida Era.

The new Archbishop of Detroit had actually sought out advice and from me no less!

Positive impression!

And even more, he took that advice!

Soon after his official beginning as the Archbishop of Detroit he called for a Convocation.

And, sure enough, I got "drafted" into service still again.

Matter of fact, I ended up having "work" to do on several more Convocations through the next ten years or so until, finally, I decided to step aside and make room for someone younger.

Next: The Maida Era continues

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Red Buttons)

 There are many other little stories I could tell about happenings in that Szoka Era, little things. Like when he was heading to Rome for his new assignment/ministry and I was soon to be in Rome for my sabbatical studies. I let him know that I expected to be invited to dine with him in his new digs in the Eternal City. "You will squeeze the last drop of juice out of this old orange," was his reply with a smile.

I got the invite, by the way, and enjoyed a fine, traditional Roman Feast!

But the Roman memory can provide one final, grand moment in my relating of the Szoka Era.

Edmund Szoka was soon to depart from Detroit, heading for his new challenge, organizing the finances of the Vatican and eventually serving as the governing head of Vatican City State. There were all sorts of events and festivities marking his Detroit departure.

And in the midst of all of the activities and events a good number of new monsignori were named. It was likely his was of saying, "Thank you" to several clergy who had served him well in his time with us. 

(For those unsure, monsignor is an ecclesiastical title of honor. It holds no special sort of I-got-more-clergy-in-me-than-you-do kind of element. It's just honorary. Such an animal gets to wear red buttons on his cassock (assuming that he even wears a cassock.) He also gets a red tassel on his biretta (if he knows what one of those is.) And he gets to walk a bit further back in line in solemn event processions. And  most importantly of all, it means no pay increase. Strictly an honorary thing! Matter of fact Pope Francis has nearly eliminated this title, restricting it almost exclusively to clergy seventy and older. In other words, it is now a kindly pat on the back before sending one out to pasture.)

Anyhow, long story short - I was not among the number named  as a monsignor upon the Szoka departure.

But it was also around that same time that I got a phone call informing me that I was being given the Farrell Award. That was truly a big news phone call. This particular award provided an all expense paid sabbatical for some three months at the North American College in Rome. I had to cover transportation, getting myself there and then back home again as well as covering any personal expenses. But meals, accommodations, tuition - all would be covered.

Study Time in Rome! Living expenses covered!

Awesome indeed!

It was some days after the naming of the new monsignors and also after that incredible phone call that my path again crossed with Edmund Szoka.

He simply said to me, "I trust you are pleased with your award. I just thought that you would appreciate that more than having some red buttons!"

He knew me and he knew me well.

Weeks of study in Rome! With some of the finest scholars of the Church! And time to wander those Roman streets! And enjoy the pastas and vino!

Yep!

Edmund C. Szoka - you got it right!

You did well!

Who needs those Red Buttons?

Next: The Maida Era!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Bar Fight)

 Once upon a time there was a rather established institution in Detroit called Diamond Jim Brady's. It was an old fashioned bar where some of the most amazing hamburgers were served. It was also practically around the corner from the parish where, back then, I was ministering. Somehow, it became a meeting place after hours for some unwinding and processing of the day's events and meetings. In that time I got to know the owners of Brady's and one or the other  would often join us at the table for some animated conversation.

The Brady's were also quite active and involved in the Jesuit Community in Detroit and stayed closely in touch with the University of Detroit and U of D High.

This tale occurred after the decision had been made to close Precious Blood School. It was, as one can imagine, a difficult decision and a difficult time. It also meant that there was the possibility of a sizable vacant building in that part of Detroit.

That is something neither I nor the neighborhood wanted.

I began some work seeking potential occupants for the building. 

And, behold, one was found in Wayne State University. They were considering a possible extension campus program and our site seemed ideal.

Negotiations began and actually moved along quite smoothly. It definitely looked as if the building would not be vacant for any length of time. We were almost ready to sign on the dotted line when that particular evening occurred at Diamond Jim Brady's.

One of the Brady brothers sat down at the table with us. No big surprise there. The surprise came shortly after however.

"So, I hear that the Archdiocese has plans for your school," he announced.

"Say what," came my reply.

"Don't you know?" he asked.

"About what?"

Evidently the plan was for the Archdiocese to acquire the property and turn it over to De Porres High School, a vibrant city institution that, at the time, was functioning on the campus of Sacred Heart Seminary with no campus of its own.

The Precious Blood Campus would soon become theirs!

And that was the first I had heard of it! The word had come to the Brady's from their Jesuit U od D connections.

And that word came to me in a bar!

The next morning I was on the phone with officials Downtown, insisting that I speak with the Archbishop.

Of course there was a delay.

But I did get a call back that afternoon.

The Archbishop would meet with me on this matter - on a Saturday no less! And at his residence!

The moment I was shown into his study, words of apology were pouring forth from the Great Archbishop Edmund Szoka!

This was not the way it should have gone, he was explaining. I really should have been involved earlier. I should not have found out in this way. Definitely not in some bar!

A profound apology that still moves me.

And from that moment I would be included in the process. There would be a meeting of the Consultors of the Archdiocese and I will be present and a concrete offer will be presented to me.

And, please, do not sign any other contract!

The Consultors' meeting took place and an offer was presented to me, a rather good offer. Edmund Szoka looked across the great meeting table at me and declared, "It's a very good offer, Ron, isn't it?"

And I smiled right back at him and informed him, "I will take it back to the Parish Council. After all, it's their parish!"

And the Bar Fight got good!

It almost seemed as if the Archbishop himself would be coming to the Parish Counsel's meeting. Unfortunately, he was leaving to join Pope John Paul II in Poland and, therefore unable to be present. He assigned a high raking Archdiocesan official to represent him instead.

And the Bar Fight really got good.

The official presented the offer to the members of the Parish Counsel.

And without flinching the Council president simply responded with, "Should we tell him to go home now and leave us alone!"

A few moments of silence and then the offer began to get sweetened.

There was room for negotiation and that clearly had the Archbishop's approval.

And the deal got sweeter and sweeter until, finally, the official declared honestly, "That is really the best I can offer you."

But it was now a very good deal and so it was accepted.

And the Archdiocese got its agreement. De Porres High moved into the vacant Precious blood School Campus after almost a year of building renovations and restorations (covered in full by the Archdiocese.)

And Precious Blood Parish became comfortably, fiscally solvent, all facilities utilized.

And the Bar Fight was over!

More is certainly to come!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Quips)

 Edmund Szoka and I had numerous occasions through the years to exchange a quip or two. I could toss a quick quip right at him and he never even ducked and he knew when to come right back at me. Memory only provides me with a sampling of those exchanges through our years of ministry together.

On one of his visits to Precious Blood, the weather was welcoming and so we vested for Mass in the rectory and then did a small procession outdoors to the church. As I recall, this was in that time when females were not to be serving Mass. Gender restrictions were officially in place.

However, somehow at Precious Blood we managed to find a place for females, fully vested in what really looked like server's garb, to have a place at the Table.

And the day of this particular Szoka visit, one such garbed female, carrying the processional crucifix, was proudly executing her role. A typical teen with a bit too much make-up, hair nicely done up, and clearly, very evidently, a very female server. (Or maybe, taking that particular era into consideration, a mere assistant to the servers.)

Anyhow, she was leading the procession.

And, of course, Edmund Szoka noticed.

He leaned over toward me as the procession emerged from the rectory doorway, and he informed me.

"Did you notice that the crossbearer is a female!"

"I did notice," I responded. "It's rather evident."

And then silence as the procession proceeded.

Fact stated. Fact noted. End of the matter! And the Archbishop of Detroit survived.

I believe it may have been the same occasion that brought about still another moment of discovery for the Archbishop.

It was at the altar, at the entry into our most solemn moments. The Holy, Holy had been sung and the Eucharistic Prayer had begun.

And the People of God remained standing!

Again, this was a time when kneeling was expected.

It may have been "expected," but it was not in our playbook and so the People stood.

And again the Archbishop leaned in my direction and whispered the obvious.

"They are still standing."

"And they will continue to do so," I replied.

"Through the whole Eucharistic Prayer?" he asked.

"Through the whole Eucharistic Prayer," I replied.

And the Archbishop of Detroit launched into the words of the Eucharistic Prayer and the People continued to stand in reverent attention and again the Archbishop of Detroit survived.

And there were numerous other such occasions and exchanges but in all fairness, I need to include at least one of his moments when he got me.

The occasion was a very significant one. The Apostolic Delegate to the United States was visiting Detroit and there was a special gathering at Sacred Heart Seminary.

As that gathering ended, we began making our way down the corridors and to the parking lot. I was calmly walking along when I heard a familiar voice directly behind me.

It was the Archbishop of Detroit walking with the Apostolic Delegate and deeply engaged in conversation. At least that was the case until he noticed me walking directly in front of them.

Then his voice increased in volume, making certain that I could hear his every word.

Edmund Szoka announced to the Apostolic Delegate, that gentleman in front of us, he's our liturgist."

Nice to hear, I have to admit. The recognition was appreciated, still is.

But then came the rest of that story.

"Do you know the difference between a liturgist and a terrorist?" the Archbishop asked the Apostolic Delegate.

And then came the answer, words Edmund Szoka just wanted me to hear.

"At least you can negotiate with a terrorist!"

The Archbishop off Detroit had won that round!

More is certainly to come!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Oops!)

 Not really sure to whom the "Oops" should be credited. It could go directly to me or it could go to Edmund Szoka, Archbishop of Detroit.

Or, maybe, just to be honest and fair, we each deserve an "Oops" for this one.

This event occurred while I was still pastor at Precious Blood Parish, a fine parish in a stunning neighborhood in the City of Detroit. By the time I became pastor, the parish numbers were in serious decline. Other faith communities were doing a far better job at evangelization and that, together with newly arrived residents who had other faith traditions, brought about the decline that made Precious Blood actually a rather small faith community.

Although small in number, there was a strength, a dynamism in the members. There was a vibrant commitment to upholding the neighborhood and to sustaining the Catholic presence.

And somewhere in this timeframe I became the vicar for the area.

Which meant regular meetings on an Archdiocesan level along with local, vicariate and parish meetings and chores and such.

The Archdiocesan vicars' meetings regularly included the presence of the Archbishop, at that time Edmund Szoka.

And that is when those "Opps" occurred.

And I suggest that the good Archbishop started it and even asked for it.

He brought up an item about Archdiocesan support for parishes in the City of Detroit.

Now, truth be told, from the days of Archbishop John Dearden, there had been regular, generous financial support from the top down to the local parish communities. Funding was there for many worthy purposes.

That being said, at this particular vicars' meeting Archbishop Szoka brought up the concern that he was hearing that City parishes were not well supported by the Archdiocese and by him, personally. This was proving concerning to him as he considered himself and the Archdiocese to be very generous.

He looked around the room. Then he spied me.

And then his "Opps" occurred.

"Ron," he called out. "You are a City pastor. Do you feel a lack of support/"

Should have never asked - at least not me.

I can tend to be honest. And that is exactly what happened, which was probably my "Opps" moment.

I can't recall my exact words but I do know this. I spoke out before the assembled vicars and our Archbishop.

I acknowledged that, indeed, financial support is available.

But, I dared to add.

We never see you!

We need your visible, physical presence in our City parishes. We need you not just to be visiting those big, fancy suburban parishes. We need you standing, really, visibly with us. The money is appreciated but you are even more appreciated.

There was a silence in the room.

Listening closely, one just might have heard Edmund Szoka muttering under his breath, "Opps!"

But he asked!

And I answered.

And a couple of days later I got a chance for a very real "Opps" of my own.

A phone call came from that sacred Downtown office.

And I was informed that the Archbishop would be coming to Precious Blood for Mass on the very next Sunday.

No time to fancy things up or get out any pomp.

A true pastoral visit. No real advance warning or preparation time. He was coming to stand at the altar with the people and afterwards meet with and talk to them. I asked for it. And I got it!

"Opps!"

But all in all those turned out to be good "Opps!""

The Pastor of the Church of Detroit got to mingle with some of that Church, a segment far too often taken for granted. It was a good time, a holy moment.

And it was not his last visit with us.

And it is certainly among the many "opps" in my life, one that I continue to treasure.

More is certainly to come!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Invitation)

 It came with just hours notice!

An invitation.

It was a day in early March, cannot remember the actual day) but I do remember the general timing of the event. It was late afternoon (perhaps early evening?) and the phone rang. The caller was some Downtown Official. Again, the name escapes me and is actually irrelevant to this episode. Anyhow, the caller was informing me that there was to be a press conference the next morning at Sacred Heart Seminary and the Archbishop wanted me to be invited, hoping that I could also be present.

While the invitation was something of a surprise, the actual press conference was really not all that much of a surprise.

Pope Joan Paul II was coming later in the year to the United States. He had already made a trip to visit the East Coast with a side trip to Chicago. This time the plan was for him to visit the South and West. However, it was rather common knowledge that Archbishop Szoka really wanted a visit to Detroit and was pulling out all sorts of stops to make that happen.

A side trip to the Midwest and Detroit on a planned jaunt through the South and West hardly seemed likely.

But the convening of this special press conference only served to fuel speculation that the Archbishop just may have pulled it off.

And sure enough!

The heart of the conference was the announcement that John Paul II was, indeed, coming to Detroit! He would swing in from the West, pay on overnight visit and then head back West for a stop at a Canadian Native American outpost.Szoka had puled it off!

John Paul would visit Detroit, stop for prayer at the Cathedral, spend Saturday morning visiting Hamtramck and follow that with a stop at Hart Plaza, a meeting with deacons from around the country and close things out with Mass at the Pontiac Sliverdome.

Announcement made; questions answered; the press conference was at an end.

However, before exiting, I made a stop to speak some words to the Archbishop. I offered congratulations and then told him that if in any way he thought I could help with this project, he should feel free to let me know. I was ready, willing and (so I thought) able.

It was only a few days later after still another meeting on still a different matter, that I discovered that the Archbishop had actually paid attention to my offer and even more than that, was taking me up on it.

One of the Downtown Staff walked with me as I left the meeting. 

"I will be calling you to talk about your job for the Papal Visit," he informed me.

Of course I asked what that job might be.

The response was evasive. Something like, we can talk all about it tomorrow.

But I was not giving up that easily.

"You can tell me now," I assured. "I think I can handle most anything."

And then I said it - that most revealing of statements.

"There is only one job that would keep me awake at night."

"And what might that be? my informant asked.

"Trying to coordinate Communion at the Silverdome Mass, " I replied.

"Well, go home and get one more good night's sleep," my informant declared. "We will talk further tomorrow."And with that a simple phone call invitation to a press conference, coming from the Archbishop of Detroit, became a six month life changer!

Thanks, Edmund C. Szoka, for entrusting me with that one!

More is certainly to come!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Meeting)

 I would like to schedule a meeting with Archbishop Szoka.

My simple, straight-forward request was submitted.

And the naturally expected responses followed.

Why do you need this meeting?

Can't you just plan and allow the Archbishop to take his role?

But my most clear-cut reasoning finally broke through all of the questions and objections.

We wanted our meetings and planning sessions to be productive and presently were being stymied by trying to guess the mind and potential responses of the Archbishop.

There would, indeed, be a meeting!

Szoka and I would sit down together in his office downtown in the Chancery building.

And that day and that meeting finally arrived.

I walked into the office; we shook hands and were seated.

The Archbishop opened the conversation.

"So, what do you want me to do?" he asked.

"Sorry, Archbishop," I responded, "But you do not work that way. The better question would be - What are you planning to do?"

He smiled and began to describe how he envisioned his role in the Convocation liturgies. His vision was exactly what I had been expecting. He intended, not to preside at them. Our preliminary working drafts had already set out our plans. We wanted to allow the Convocation participants to get a glimpse of the richness of the presbyteriate of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Our plan was to have an elder clergy preside and homilize one day, a fairly newly ordained at still another, a religious order priest and somewhere-in-the-middle priests on remaining days.

But what about the Archbishop?

His initial response was to embrace the planned presiders. He, however, would take a solemn archbishop's role, vested in alb, stole and cope, located in a position of honor, taking some of the prayers to himself and visually overseeing the whole time.

He would clearly be the one in control, so to speak.

Which was exactly what we were trying to avoid.

Those working on the Convocation plans were hoping to present a more human side to this all to often feared and even disliked Archbishop. We wanted to give him the chance to invite us to actually like him and see him as truly a brother.

And the role he envisioned for himself liturgically, while ritually correct, would also muddy the waters.

But I had come to that meeting prepared.

I responded to the Archbishop by acknowledging that he would certainly be in line assuming the role he was describing. However, there were other possibilities.

And then I produced the Vatican document outlining the possibilities for a setting such as the one we would be in.

I handed a copy of the document to the Archbishop and explained that four varying possibilities did exist and were all possible.

He looked at the document, somewhat surprised that I had such. However, even more surprising to him was the fact that he next acknowledged.

"This thing is all in Latin!" the Archbishop exclaimed.

"Yes, Archbishop," I responded. "I thought it best if we discuss this in the Latin so that you do not in any way suggest that I am misreading or mistranslating."

And he smiled!

And we looked at the four possibilities from the first and most solemn, which was the one he was embracing, to a less formal, to a rather passive but still vested presence to the fourth possibility.

He read and then reread that one.  

"Well, this one puts me in civilian (read that casual, non-clerical) clothes and just one among the rest of you!"

"Exactly!" I replied. "But it is allowed!"

And within seconds he was bringing the meeting to its ending.

"I cannot do that." He was declaring. "Let me think about this and get back to you."

And our meeting was over.

It was about a week later that I got the phone call from the Archbishop's Office.

The Archbishop would accept the fourth option for his role in the Convocation liturgies!

However, a couple of conditions were attached to that seismic decision.

The Archbishop would preside as Archbishop and homilist at the closing Mass (already planned anyhow and so an easy concession) and I would write a letter to all of the priests of the Archdiocese telling them to bring albs and stoles to wear for the closing Mass.

I explained that I would write the letter but could not guaranteed that all would comply.

Understood.

Write the letter and the Archbishop will take his place all week long, seated among his brother priests and wearing his stylish sweater.

And so went my first real one-on-one with Edmund Szoka. That was the first but definitely not the last!

More is certainly to come!

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Convocation)

 Before launching into this new episode of Book, let me address that other item.

Yes, it has been a bit since the last installment. Honestly speaking, I have been a bit busy and also distracted by some other items. I have been in the process of uprooting my life - yes, even at my age! - and actually, physically moving. I am now in a new location. I have left behind Senior Clergy Village on the campus of Madonna University where I made my home for the last eight years and I have relocated to The Reserve at Red Run in Madison Heights, now my new home. A ministerial possibility opened here and I felt called to consider it. So now here I am in a new location and starting a new chapter in my ministry.

Having said that, let's get on with the bishops' saga as we continue into the Szoka Era.

It was some years after the "Kosnik Episode" that I was to have any further dealings with Edmund Szoka. For me, things remained quiet and some might suggest that, especially in that Era, quiet was a very good thing. Those who had dealings with the Archbishop seemed often to find themselves frustrated, angry, disappointed, and a whole lot of other very negative descriptives.

Edmund Szoka was not, especially in his years as Detroit's Archbishop, a very likable person. 

However, in 1985 I found myself in a position of once again having to deal with the Archbishop and this time it would be up close and personal.

Early in the year it was announced that in the fall of that year there would be a convocation of the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The convocation idea was new but also beginning to catch on as a means of furthering and fostering a spirit of unity and supportiveness in ministry.

However, such an undertaking would also require a lot of effort, planning and organizing. For such an event to be successful, ,amu heads would have to be put together to shape the event.

This convocation would take place in the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula, in the resort of Boyne Mountain. The resort was just far enough away geographically so that the participants would not be tempted to head home after hours. It was large enough to accomodate the expected number of participants and it had rooms sizable enough for planned group activities.

And I was called on to lead the committee in charge of liturgies and prayer experiences.

Each day would include Mass, common morning and evening prayer, a night prayer to conclude the day, opportunity for quiet time before the Eucharistic Lord and, of course, the Sacrament of Penance.

And we were assigned the locker room as our "chapel" for the week.

My first task was gathering a committee to work together. This could not be all the effort of one or even just a few. It would take a number of individuals with a variety of skills, including competency in music, art and environment. After all, a locker room had to be transformed into a chapel, suitable to being a prayerful surrounding.

I had no trouble finding and recruiting very able bodies.

And the meetings began and the planning got underway.

Early on in this project the various committee heads were flown, at the direct insistence of the Archbishop, by private plane to Boyne to actually spend the day on site getting a hands on feel for what was available to us.

At that day's end we were flown back, given time to freshen up and then we met with the Archbishop for dinner (on him, of course) at the Detroit Athletic Club! Not too shabby! There we gacvve him our reports on the findings of the day's journey.

That was my first face-to-face with Edmund Szoka and it certainly did not leave me shaking in my boots. It was pleasant, productive, enjoyable as was he. (And maybe, just maybe, that glass of fine scotch added a little assist as well.)

But the actual working sessions of the committee began to produce quite a different experience.

A constant question began to emerge as we discussed prayer and liturgical experience possibilities for the convocation.

"Will he (read that as The Archbishop) allow that?"

That question began to take still another sound.

"He won't go for that" or "He won't tolerate that" or "He won't allow that."

Edmund Szoka became the phantom presence in our meetings.

And that presence became increasingly paralyzing.

We were actually trying to read his mind, guess his reactions, and this was preventing us from really creatively planning.

Finally I reached a breaking point.

"Enough!" I declared.

I am going to meet with him directly and ask face to face. We needed to stop guessing and start dealing with actual answers and so I would meet with The Archbishop and ask the questions.

And the committee responded.

It will not happen. He will not meet with you. He doesn't do things like that.

And I replied back, "Just wait and see!"

Watch for more in the weeks to come.

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (A Resolution?)

Anthony Kosnik's obituary provided a very simple descriptive of that troubled moment:

 As a result of very strong opposition to the book by conservative elements of the Catholic Church, and his refusal to recant, Tony's contract at SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary was not renewed for the 1981-82 academic year. This led to strong student and faculty protest, as well as confrontation with the Archbishop, and eventually resulted in his appointment to the faculty of Marygrove College, in Detroit. Tony directed the M.A. Program in Pastoral Ministry at Marygrove from 1983 until the time of his retirement in 2000.

Short; sweet' simple - however, maybe a bit too brief and simple. At least from what I remember, maybe someone was trying to keep the descriptive brief or perhaps they were just trying to remember events from off top of their head. At any rate at least some of my recollection is at variance, particularly the cited dates.

My recollection puts this as happening in late winter and early spring of 1982, which would mean that the contract renewal in question would have been for 1982/1983. A bit later I will let you know why I stick with those dates.

As to the issue at hand, for me, before making any moves, especially any based on an "unnamed source" phone call, I decided to check the facts. I placed a phone call to Kosnik's office where, as might be expected, calls were not being answered. Fortunately, I had his private number and that worked. I got to speak with him directly and heard him confirm that a new contract was not being offered to him. 

While there was no evident, crystal-clear evidence of any Person in Great Authority being involved in this decision, speculation about an ultimate and greater source was certainly present. Tony was not going public with anything or making any public statements, especially any speculative statements.

Of course there was nothing to prevent me from speaking with the press. Just be careful!

And that was an important element and piece of wisdom.

After all, even if a certain bishop was behind this, well, the bishop of any diocese certainly had the authority and sometimes even the duty to call for the transfer of a priest within that diocese. And back then we were still operating under the older Code of Canon Law which emphasized strongly a bishop's "rights."

Furthermore, as the chief teacher and guardian of orthodoxy within the local Church, the bishop had certain duties. These were not questionable and still should not be.

However, there was another question that seemed at play in this matter. It could be called academic freedom or academic license. It did not and should not mean that the academic field should be "free" to do anything or say anything or think anything at all. There were and should be boundaries but also a certain flexibility for academic development, for growth and deepening and advancing - even in the fields of theology. Research should never be ruled out.

After all, Vatican II would not have been able to present us with the beautiful renewal of liturgy except for academic study, discussion and development. Other Constitutions and documents, likewise, evidence theological growth and development. Matter of fact, without such growth and development, we might be relegated to the ancient practice of allowing the Sacrament of Penance to be administered only once in a lifetime after Baptism. No third chances back then! But growth, development happened.

So, the real question emerging from all of this was - what is this action possibly saying regarding academic development in the area of theology?

And as a teacher, this question and its answer impacted me and every other theology faculty member!

And when, somehow, the story leaked out to the local press, this was the question set out before the public. And when, a short time later, the National Catholic Reporter made contact with me for comments on this breaking story, this was my point of focus.

And along with the story breaking in local and national news, I began to get phone calls from students asking what they could or should do. 

And an opportune moments was definitely presenting itself.

Just days after this breaking event the Archbishop of Detroit, Edmund C. Szoka, was hosting a unique gathering of clergy and laity from the Church of Detroit for the first ever Archdiocesan Assembly. The numbers would be sizable enough to fill the seats of the auditorium of Sacred Heart Seminary.

And somehow those gathering for that Assembly were greeted (as was the Archbishop on his arrival) by a significant crowd, carrying signs, of course, and asking in their chant, what was going on at Orchard Lake and with Father Anthony Kosnik. 

And that questioning did not abate or disappear inside the seminary auditorium. Delegates to the Assembly picked up the question and began to take to the public microphones joining in the search for clarity.

Oh! And I was nowhere near that scene!

I had received still another "unnamed source" phone call. And this is why I also know that the obituary dates may be off. This had to be happening in 1982 because early that year I had decided that it was time for me to consider moving on from my current pastorate. I was considering a new opportunity and folks Downtown knew this. In fact by this time I had my eyes on one particular parish and that was also known.

So the phone call I received was a simple word of advice.

"If you want that assignment, you had just better settle down!"

I got the hint.

I shut my mouth. 

Shortly afterward I was named pastor of the Church of the Precious Blood in Detroit, a ministry that I assumed in 1982. I was also, then, added as adjunct faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary temporarily until another could get academically qualified to take over full time.

Oh, and Tony's contract was actually renewed. An understanding and agreement managed to be reached. He stayed on for one more year and then gracefully resigned. He chose to not renew!

And he was allowed to take on another teaching assignment, continuing to use his academic gifts now at Marygrove College.

And from my new position at Precious Blood Parish new opportunities unfolded for interacting with Edmund C. Szoka! The fun had just begun!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Dawning)

 And now we arrive at memories of what may well have been the most significant of my Memories of Bishops - The Szoka Era.

Edmund C. Szoka came to the Archdiocese of Detroit following the retirement of John Dearden. His origins were Pure Michigan and his episcopal roots were as the first bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord.

When John Dearden came to us from Pittsburgh, he bore the reputation of being "Iron John," steel cold and inflexible. Edmund Szoka came with no such designation. He really did not need a nickname. His actions spoke loudly enough. I suspect that there are some who would even suggest that Iron would be too flexible and pliable a material for describing Edmund Szoka!

His voice -- his very presence -- one glance from him -- any of these could make even those very strong tremble in their boots.

I think that may have been why the Szoka Era played such a significant part in my life.

And having set out that descriptive, now let me back up a bit and capture a prelude to our very first encounter.

I was back from my studies at the University of Notre Dame and I was newly positioned as pastor of St.  Clement of Rome in Romeo, Michigan and still very early in this process, with that new degree safely in hand and no office job to accompany it, I was asked to join the faculty of SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

They needed someone to handle this newly emerging "science" of liturgy and all of the emerging documents and at that time in our history, such qualified persons were few and far between. However, I was a newly appointed pastor who had just spurned a bureaucratic full time position.

It was agreed that I would serve as adjunct faculty, maintaining my parish life while setting aside time weekly each semester to provide needed courses in liturgical theology.

I would have the best of both worlds (so to speak) or just maybe the worst!

But honestly, teaching was exhilarating and I especially enjoyed interacting with the students, often learning from the examples being set by lay students, newly being admitted to theological studies and exhibiting deep appreciation to what, far too often, seminary students were then taking for granted.

And the Dean of Studies, my immediate supervisor, was also a joy with whom to work. He was then becoming a well known theologian, Anthony Kosnik. He even had a book about to be released. It would prove to be, for back then in the 1970's, a very radical work on human sexuality.

And that is where my first real up close and personal encounter with Edmund Szoka would take place.

I had been serving on the adjunct faculty of the seminary for a number of years when "It" happened. Matter of fact, I had also been in parish as pastor for even a slightly longer period of time.

During this span of time there were numerous occasions when I would have the occasion to meet with and have discussions with Tony Kosnik. Mostly we spoke of educational approaches and techniques on the graduate study level. I do believe that we both felt strongly about how subject matter should be handled when dealing with those who had arrived at  this particular level of learning.

But then one fine day I received a phone call.

And do not try and even pretend that, at least back in those days, even Archdiocesan Offices did not have news leaks!

This caller, aware that I was working, even if part time, in the seminary and also with Tony Kosnik, just wanted me to be informed.

Anthony Kosnik was being removed from his position!

He was not going willingly. He was being ordered out.

And guess, just guess who might be giving the order!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.

The Book of Bishops - The Dearden Era (Payback?)

The days of late July, 1967 in Detroit are still remembered by those who lived through them and still talked about and even studied by those hungry for some lessons in history. These were the days when the streets of Detroit erupted in anger and frustration, days of our very own home-brewed troubles.

Following these days of turmoil and trouble many leaders sought to learn the lessons needed to move forward. One such leader was the Archbishop of Detroit, John Dearden. By this time the Second Vatican Council was finished and its impact was clearly felt on Detroit's Archbishop.

One of the ideas he developed for responding to the Troubles of 1967 centered in the annual fund-raising drive, actually inaugurated years before, by his predecessor, Archbishop Edward Mooney. That was the Archdiocesan Development Fund. (ADF)

Each year in springtime this fund-raising drive swept across all parishes raising funds for a variety of purposes, all necessary and all just too expansive to be handled by any single parish. Funds were raised to purchase properties for new parishes, for enabling and enriching educational endeavors, for counseling projects and the like. And each year Catholics across the Archdiocese proved themselves generous again and again.

Until the year after those Troubles of 1967.

That year, to the mix of charitable causes already funded the Archbishop added special outreach into the Black Community, providing seed monies to enable self-help efforts at bettering lives.

But far too many were having no part of this added effort.

Too many Catholics back then were still not ready to hear the powerful message of the Gospel in terms of true outreach to neighbors.

The ADF in 1968 tanked in terms of raising designated funds.

And it continued to tank the next year and the year after that.

Recovery would be a long time coming.

Then came the surprise for me personally.

I cannot remember today exactly what year it happened but I do know that I had managed to avoid that desk job downtown, the heat was off and I was settling into my position as pastor out in Romeo.

And the call came.

Archbishop Dearden had named me as that year's priest chair for the ADF!

And he was calling on me to work closely with the newly named lay chair to strat bring a robustness back to the ADF!

Payback for letting me settle into a parish position instead of sitting behind a desk? Who knows. What I do know is that for the next two years I would be front and center as the clergy face for the ADF and I would be spending a whole lot of time in person and on the phone with brother priests convincing them to get behind the efforts and bring this important effort back to a strong, healthy life!

Oh! And that also meant having a "make-over." Seems I was one of those "with the times" and my hair back then was a bit too long and too curly.  And those glasses! The kind that would darken when impacted by sunshine! Get rid of them. Photos of me had to be of a straight-laced, clean-cut, respectable looking cleric! The pros got busy and I got that make-over.

And I got to meet and work with the lay chair of the ADF who was also the president (and I guess in today's terns CEO) of the Burrough's Corporation, at that time one of the leading local innovators in computer technology. This was back when computers occupied whole rooms and even whole floors! He introduced me to the future and shared visions of days ahead and brought me in on the ground floor of a dawning era.

And we actually did, also, turn the ADF around, hitting target once again after a number of years of falling short.

And I have John Dearden to thank for that part of my life.

But then he retired and his replacement was named - the bishop of Gaylord, Michigan, someone named Edmund Szoka!

And if we thought Dearden was Iron John when he came to Detroit, we were about to get a lesson in what Iron truly meant.

Edmund Szoka was coming to Detroit. The Szoka Era was about to begin.

And some years of real "fun" were dawning!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.

The Book of Bishops - The Dearden Era (Fact/Fiction)

 This tale is one not often spoken of, in fact so infrequently has it been told that even some close to me (including family members) have probably never been aware of it.

At least until now.

And part of it is definitely fact but there is also a part that remains and will remain questionable, uncertifiable, not able to be documented or proved due to the fact that principles involved have passed away and so leave a part that cannot be authenticated.

Let's begin with the fact part.

I had never considered myself as an "academic." True, I passed through those early grades and then college and seminary grad school rather easily. However, given the choice between settling in with some classic tome or playing a couple of games of pinochle, one could easily find me at the card table.

However, evidently others, certainly some in high places, saw things differently.

And John Dearden saw a potential need to fill.

The winds of change were clearly in the air in the Catholic Church and John Dearden was definitely impacted by them. In his wisdom he realized that work would be needed to enable the folk in the pews to enter wholeheartedly into the spirit of the dawning age.

One critical area to be addressed was that of liturgy. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council had made this the number one item on their agenda, acknowledging that reform was needed and long overdue. As a result new tools, books and documents were being prepared and needed to be studied, understood and introduced in such a way that the average Joan (or Joe) would be at home in this strange territory. (I might be inclu=ined to say"new" territory but there really was nothing new emerging. Rather, we were rediscovering our ancient roots.)

At any rate a handful from the Archdiocese of Detroit were tapped to engage in advanced studies, the plan being that this would provide a resource pool for introducing the coming books and documents to the Church of Detroit.

I was among that handful chosen and selected for liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame.

I accepted the call with one very important and strong stipulation.

I would be allowed to remain in parish ministry.

I believed then and still do today that far too many get advanced education and then get removed from the common folk. They wind up in office jobs or teaching positions with hardly any regular contact with real people and their lives. I did not want that. I would resource the Archdiocese. I would teach when called on. I would do whatever might prove necessary but all of this just as long as I would never be removed from the daily life of a parish faith community.

Agreed!

So the assurance was given to me.

And off I went for graduate studies in liturgical theology at the University of Notre Dame (where, by the way, I decided not to ever try out for the football team!)

And four years later the mission was accomplished and I was full time back home, diploma in hand. Actually, diploma was not yet in hand when I returned home. I skipped the commencement and had the parchment mailed to me. But I was back home.

And in only a matter of days I was called Downtown for a special meeting.

And at that meeting I was informed that in a couple of months I would be receiving a new assignment. Of course, it would be an office job, heading a department Downtown.

That promise of my remaining full time in a parish? Well, forget it. There was a greater need. And I had a couple of months to get used to the idea.

But I also have at least a little knowledge of things like politics and bureaucracy and how they work.

I left that meeting, traveled across the street and down the block into another set of Archdiocesan offices. And there I asked what parishes might be open and looking for a full time pastor. My thinking? If I got a new assignment, it would be guaranteed for six years and no one could move me for that amount of time without my full agreement.

And I also figured that one department would not know what the other was doing until, hopefully, it was too late.

And sure enough!

A parish was open and looking for a pastor and I could apply even though I was still so very, very young. And I applied. When the time came, I got the phone call.

I had been appointed pastor of St. Clement of Rome Parish in Romeo, Michigan.

And by Canon Law I would become untouchable for the next six years unless I agreed to move!

And the phone call that I received shortly after getting this news was from a different Archdiocesan official who, needless  to say, was not a very happy camper. Such language! And from a cleric!

And that is the fact part of this story.

Now the undocumented part.

Well, for some time after there were still movements to undo the assignment. It was a sort of "get him out of that parish and back down here where he belongs!" situation.

And then suddenly - silence.

The movement stopped and I was left in peace.

It was only some years later, too long after these events to document or verify, that I was told, "Did you know that John Dearden intervened?" He finally stepped in and told those officials whose plans had been upset that they should just leave me alone.

"If that is what he wants, if that is what he believes he is called to, just leave him alone!"

Fact? Fiction?

Don't know.

What I do know is that it sounds like John Dearden and in the months and years after, I joined the adjunct seminary faculty, gave many a presentation throughout the Archdiocese, resourced in the area of liturgy in numerous ways, but never left parish life and the real, day to day faith community.

And eventually, someone else was groomed for that position that I managed to avoid. And life has gone on.

And we have all somehow survived!

And that is fact!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.