AtonementOnline: Honored by the Catholic Education Foundation...

19 April 2009

Honored by the Catholic Education Foundation...

I want to mention an excellent organization: the Catholic Education Foundation. Its purpose is to support Catholic education on the high school level, providing student scholarships and programs assisting with the formation of teachers. Many of our finest educators are associated with the Foundation, and it includes several bishops on its advisory board.

This past Friday evening I was honored by being inducted into the Foundation's "Hall of Fame," which recognizes those who are considered to be outstanding individuals in the field of Catholic education. Don't ask me how I ended up in the company of such luminaries as Fr. Joseph Fessio, Mother Assumpta Long, Dr. Ralph McInerny, Fr. James V. Schall S.J., and others of that same stature.

I'll take this opportunity to commend the Catholic Education Foundation as an organization worthy of financial support. If God so moves you, click here to make a donation, and tell 'em I urged you to do it.

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."