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!