Hopefully all of us could name people in the past or present who had an impact on our personal, professional and/or spiritual lives. In some cases we appreciate the efforts of our mentors while they are influencing us in a positive way and sometimes it takes years before we appreciate the impact their words and or actions had on us. If that's the case and we are able to do so, it is a blessing to be able to tell them "Thanks for everthing you did for me." Fortunately, I did have the opportunity and took advantage of it more than once to thank Monsignor John O'Donnell for all that the did to influence and have a lasting impact on my priesthood especially in my early years as a priest (1988-93). During those years I served with him as the associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. On the first full day I was with him, I joined him and more than a few parishioners, in laying sod behind a new addition to the parish school. He taught me by example that the call of a priest is not just in the ministries that he offers, especially the sacraments, but also to "get dirty" with the parishioners and others in "secular" acrivities and work with them, not just for them, in the name of the Lord.
Monsignor O'Donnell was one of those priests (like Monsignor Malone) who came to the small rural Diocese of Little Rock from Philadelphia to attend the seminary in Arkansas and chose to stay to serve as a priest in Arkansas, which he did for over 50 years (and in his retirement for more than a few years). Though I was young when I was with him and he was around 60 years of age, I was regularly impressed with his work ethic in doing his ministries, especially the pastoral part. While it was somewhat intimidating to share the pulpit with "the best" Catholic homilist in the diocese (according to many), he inspired me with his strong delivery and his upbeat demeanor in celebrating the sacraments. There was no doubt when you left Mass with him as the celebrant, that you had truly "celebrated" the Mass, and that demeanor rubbed-off and influenced my priesthood from an early age. When he went to be with a death row inmate, who he had ministered to when he was a pastor in Pine Bluff and was about to be executed, he stood as Jesus would and did, (with a sinner) and ministered to him until his execution, even though he received more than a little criticism from some people. He was very involved in many Ecumenical activities and forged a bond with ministers of all denominations. I benefitted from that example as well. His ability to pray spontaneously and sincerely, with a great plethora of words in his vocabulary, encouraged me to strive to do the same in my ministry.
Monsignor O'Donnell was such a hard and dedicated worker for the Lord, that at one point I thought about communicating with the bishop, that I feared burnout or an early death for him beause of his pace and all that he did. I, obviously, was wrong--because he continued to "go and blow" (as he put it) and minister to God's people, I believe until he retired at 78 years old; and at his death he was 91 years of age. Even while he lived in a nursing home, he had devoted friends who took him to do the Lord's work at funerals, baptisms and other settings. His love of the Lord, God's people and his priesthood was obvious to many and I believe when he took his last breath on Holy Saturday afternooon, he was soon greeted with "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34). I truly believe he had the BEST Easter of anyone this year, a "heavenly celebration" that will go on forever! REST in peace, Monsignor John O'Donnell! Thank you for all you did for me and for MANY!
Monsignor O'Donnell was one of those priests (like Monsignor Malone) who came to the small rural Diocese of Little Rock from Philadelphia to attend the seminary in Arkansas and chose to stay to serve as a priest in Arkansas, which he did for over 50 years (and in his retirement for more than a few years). Though I was young when I was with him and he was around 60 years of age, I was regularly impressed with his work ethic in doing his ministries, especially the pastoral part. While it was somewhat intimidating to share the pulpit with "the best" Catholic homilist in the diocese (according to many), he inspired me with his strong delivery and his upbeat demeanor in celebrating the sacraments. There was no doubt when you left Mass with him as the celebrant, that you had truly "celebrated" the Mass, and that demeanor rubbed-off and influenced my priesthood from an early age. When he went to be with a death row inmate, who he had ministered to when he was a pastor in Pine Bluff and was about to be executed, he stood as Jesus would and did, (with a sinner) and ministered to him until his execution, even though he received more than a little criticism from some people. He was very involved in many Ecumenical activities and forged a bond with ministers of all denominations. I benefitted from that example as well. His ability to pray spontaneously and sincerely, with a great plethora of words in his vocabulary, encouraged me to strive to do the same in my ministry.
Monsignor O'Donnell was such a hard and dedicated worker for the Lord, that at one point I thought about communicating with the bishop, that I feared burnout or an early death for him beause of his pace and all that he did. I, obviously, was wrong--because he continued to "go and blow" (as he put it) and minister to God's people, I believe until he retired at 78 years old; and at his death he was 91 years of age. Even while he lived in a nursing home, he had devoted friends who took him to do the Lord's work at funerals, baptisms and other settings. His love of the Lord, God's people and his priesthood was obvious to many and I believe when he took his last breath on Holy Saturday afternooon, he was soon greeted with "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34). I truly believe he had the BEST Easter of anyone this year, a "heavenly celebration" that will go on forever! REST in peace, Monsignor John O'Donnell! Thank you for all you did for me and for MANY!
When I ponder the Easter Season that lasts for 50 days and concludes with the great Solemnity of Pentecost, two words come to mind, celebration and evangelization. We are, of course, celebrating first and foremost, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and what His new and eternal life means for all who believe in Him. His Resurrection among other things, puts an exclamation point on everything he said and did in His eartly life and gives us the perfect way to attain life unending with the Lord and all of the saints in glory. The challenge in the Easter Season and ALWAYS, is to pray for the grace needed to inspire us to be like Christ in every way, every day. Easter is also about evangelization, sharing the Good News of Jesus with others and leading them to profess Jesus as the Savior of the world and Lord of heaven and earth. We read throughout Easter from the Acts of the Apostles which chronicles the evangelism that led to Christianity spreading "to the ends of the earth." Our call is not to go to the ends of the earth in proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, but to do it with a demeanor that says to others that "Life in and with the Lord" brings us joy and peace in this life and continual hope in eternal life in heaven. Some of the words of the song "We Are Called" ring in my mind and heart and can hopefully echo with you throughout the Easter Season and beyond: "Come live in the light, shine with the joy and the love of the Lord." Alleluia!
Recently about 25 of our male parishioners "retreated" to St. John's Center in Little Rock for an experience of growth in The Lord through the leadership of Father Maricio Carrasco. From the feedback I heard, it was spiritual "shot in the arm" (or rather, the soul) for them. This "Holy Week," starting on Thursday evening and concluding on Sunday evening, the Catholic Church urges ALL OF ITS MEMBERS to retreat from their normal schedule and activities to receive a spiritual shot for the soul through the celebration in the sacred Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of The Lord (the high point of the ENTIRE Church year).
While I urge EVERYONE to participate in the Liturgy that starts on Holy Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., pauses and continues on Good Friday at 3:15 p.m., pauses and continues with the holiest night of the year, the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. (it must begin after dark), I also hope and pray that you will refrain from most secular activities and spend the time in quiet reflection, maybe watching EWTN television, and doing selfless things for people in need. The Church is available 24/7 (ask for the code to enter the church for the overnight hours) for prayer in the church body or chapel with Stations of the Cross booklets for individual use. Look in the bulletin for times when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered.
PLEASE use the "Living With Christ" booklets to prepare for the three main liturgies and reflect on what The Lord is doing in and through you during this special time. The transforming power of the days and liturgies of the Triduum can be strong and long-lasting for those who truly and sincerely participate in the "best" of retreat experiences. It will draw us into a deeper union with Christ through the celebration of the great Paschal Mystery. DON'T MISS OUT!
While I urge EVERYONE to participate in the Liturgy that starts on Holy Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., pauses and continues on Good Friday at 3:15 p.m., pauses and continues with the holiest night of the year, the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. (it must begin after dark), I also hope and pray that you will refrain from most secular activities and spend the time in quiet reflection, maybe watching EWTN television, and doing selfless things for people in need. The Church is available 24/7 (ask for the code to enter the church for the overnight hours) for prayer in the church body or chapel with Stations of the Cross booklets for individual use. Look in the bulletin for times when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered.
PLEASE use the "Living With Christ" booklets to prepare for the three main liturgies and reflect on what The Lord is doing in and through you during this special time. The transforming power of the days and liturgies of the Triduum can be strong and long-lasting for those who truly and sincerely participate in the "best" of retreat experiences. It will draw us into a deeper union with Christ through the celebration of the great Paschal Mystery. DON'T MISS OUT!