Jimmeny-Crickets, How Did That Happen?

Last week, at Cardinal George’s request, Pope Benedict XVI named me and nineteen other Chicago priests as Monsignors. “Monsignor” is an ecclesiastical/church title.  It is granted as an honorary reward for some institutional church work performed by a cleric.

I believe the title was awarded to me because of my position as pastor of Chicago’s famous Cathedral parish, the most beautiful church in our Archdiocese, the historic place where Chicago goes to pray.  On behalf of Holy Name Cathedral, I accept the title.  The last Holy Name pastor to carry the label of Monsignor was Patrick Hayes, 1946-1966.  Beginning in the mid-1960s, Chicago’s priests discouraged our bishops from nominating Monsignors.  Such designations were deemed to be reward of those who cooperated with the institutional church versus those who urged the church in different directions.  Most said it demoralized the priests.  For decades, there were virtually no Chicago Monsignors named.  Therefore, Bishop Lyne, while pastor of Holy Name during that era, never was entitled a Monsignor.  Cardinal Bernardin late in his career asked diocesan priests to vote whether they wanted to resurrect the title of Monsignor, still used elsewhere in America.  In a close vote, the motion failed. The majority realized that very deserving candidates sadly and certainly would be left off the list.  I voted with that majority.

In each diocese, the Cathedral is the bishop’s church.  Many Cathedral pastors are Monsignors.  The pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles and St. Patrick’s in New York City are Monsignors.  The same is true in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Denver, Washington, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Seattle, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Houston, Kansas City, Providence, Buffalo, Santa Fe, Salt Lake City, Tulsa, Madison, Rockville Center, Dubuque, Davenport, & New Orleans.  Still, the Cathedral pastors in Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Stockton, Omaha, Orlando, Rapid City, Boise, San Diego, Portland, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Dallas, Louisville, Las Vegas, Atlanta, San Francisco and all the other diocese in our State -  Peoria, Belleville, Rockford, Springfield, & Joliet - currently are not designated as Monsignors.  Among American Cathedrals, the percentage of Monsignors is less than 50%.  However, Cardinal George wanted me, his Cathedral’s pastor, to be a Monsignor; that is why I accepted the title.  The Cardinal and I agree that Chicago’s Cathedral deserves a distinctive designation on the roster of American Cathedrals.

The Cardinal calls my title a Papal Honor.  However, why did Rome/the Cardinal choose me rather than other worthy Chicago priests?  The question really does bother me.  When I wrote the rough-draft of this column, I started to list others I believed should have been honored ahead of me.  Then I realized I was doing the same thing as the Cardinal in deciding who should make the cut.  Obviously, others should have been included.

One of my priest-heroes was the late Bill Quinn.  He grew up on the same west side block and in the same era as the Cathedral’s beloved-Bishop Tim Lyne.  They were ordained priests two years apart.  Along with a record number of nominees, Bill was awarded the title “Monsignor” in the 1950s.  When I worked with Bill in the 70s, 80s, & 90s, I frequently chuckled at his response whenever an impressed visitor or parishioner fawned over meeting “the Monsignor.”  His reply was consistent.  “Call me Bill.”  Last week, I was named a Monsignor.  Officially I am Reverend Monsignor Daniel G. Mayall.  Jiminy-crickets!  How did that happen? Please, call me Dan.

Another Holy Name Cathedral priest was named a Monsignor last week.  Msgr. Michael Boland is the Chief Administrator at Catholic Charities of Chicago.  He surely deserves such recognition.  Catholic Charities is America’s largest, non-governmental source of help to the American needy.  Msgr. Boland works 26-hours each day to be sure Catholic Charities does its job.  That famous and mighty agency does basic Christian work very professionally in the name of all Catholics.  They make us look good.  They help so many in Jesus’ Holy Name.  I hope that the ecclesiastical recognition/title helps Mike Boland to open a flood-gate of contributions to the great work of Chicago’s Catholic Charities.

Other honorees were ten retired priests – Dick O’Donnell, Frank Maniola, John Kuzinskas, Mike Adams, Frank Cimarrusti, Leo Mahon, John McNamara, Charlie Meyer, John Dolciamore, & Wayne Prist; plus John Canary (Vicar General); Dick Saudis (Associate Vicar for Canonical Services); Denny Lyle (Rector, Mundelein Seminary); Jim Kaczorowski (Pastor, Queen of Angels); Pat Pollard (Catholic Cemeteries); Rich Hynes (Parish Life and Formation); John Pollard (Pastor, Queen of All Saints Basilica); and another Cathedral friend/alumnus, Pat Lagges (Director of the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at Catholic Theological Union & Chaplain of Calvert House, University of Chicago).  Congratulations, brothers.  I think this honored list deserves you.

If you are a registered parishioner, you should have received or soon will receive a letter from me supporting the annual “Scholarship Sunday” collection next weekend at all Cathedral Masses for students at the Frances Xavier Warde Catholic School.  I hope everyone who attends a Cathedral Mass next week can contribute to Catholic education in the city by supporting FXW School.  The unique model of Catholic education followed at the Frances Xavier Warde Catholic School – a Catholic school sponsored not by the parish’s budget and not by a religious order, but by an assembly of the faithful - succeeds only if the student body continues to reflect the diversity that is Chicago.  The sponsoring parishes – Old St. Pat’s and Holy Name – encourage FXW as the school serves our city and Church by educating and forming young people who value opportunity, intelligence, tolerance, and faith.  Over 840 students will attend FXW  this year – the second largest Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese.  One-third of their families need some financial assistance to meet the costs of such an excellent school.   Over $1-million was awarded last year by THE CHILDREN AT THE CROSSROADS FOUNDATION which assures the school’s economic diversity and viability.  Next weekend’s annual Scholarship Sunday collection is a major way in which our parish applauds what is happening at FXW, our school.  FXW is not a parish school; however, it is the way our parish Church takes responsibility for Catholic elementary education in Chicago.  Many parishioners help in a major-league way.  Can you?  Envelopes are at the Cathedral doors.  Please, give generously and joyfully in next weekend’s post-Communion collection.

Thanks to our Parish Pastoral Council for hosting the final Coffee-in-the-Courtyard of the season last Sunday with a welcome to the young Hispanic & Polish men discerning vocations to the Chicago priesthood while living this coming year at the combined Casa Jesus/Abramowicz House on the Cathedral campus at Wabash & Chicago.  The Parish Life Commission gets credit for the blueprint of successful summer of socializing after Mass outdoors (mostly) following the more well-attended Masses on Sunday mornings.

Monday, Labor Day, the rectory will close at 1:00pm.  The usual Masses, however, will be offered at 8:00am & 12:10 & 5:15pm.  There will be no Masses at 6:00am & 7:00am.

                                                                                                      - Monsignor Dan Mayall