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October 26, 2020By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
Priests ministering and being ministered to – during and through the coronavirus – was the theme of many talks at the 7th annual Celebrate Priesthood! gala, held Oct. 26.
For the first time, this fundraiser for the care of the diocese’s retired priests was held virtually – because of the virus. Webcasting was done from St. Paul Cathedral Cenacle. Video of others had been rerecorded at other sites.
More than 280 people watched it, according to Raymond L. Delisle, director of the Office of Communications which produced the program. A viewer chat message said: “United with everyone … God bless so many people for their generosity. … Father Charlie Monroe” (pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Worcester).
Bishop McManus announced that $184,000 had been raised, as of last night, and there were more than 1,000 donors. People can still give to the fund by going to worcesterdiocese.org/celebrate-priesthood-2020. The program booklet also can be found online.
Despite the virus, the priests of the diocese “never put aside the fact … they were ordained to serve you,” Bishop McManus said. “I’m very proud of my priests. … Heroes work here in the Diocese of Worcester.”
Just as important as raising money to care for the retired priests was the chance priests got to mingle with their people at past galas, the bishop said. He expressed hope that the virtual celebration would evoke fond memories of priests and asked viewers to pray for deceased priests who may have administered sacraments to them.
The bishop also spoke of the sexual abuse crisis, noting that the priesthood has been under scrutiny the past 20 years for what some priests did. Church leaders have acknowledged the harm and they pray and work for victims’ wholeness and that victims “will forgive us” and return to the Church, he said, and spoke of concern for young people’s safety.
He called on St. Jean Vianney, patron of parish priests to “pray for us priests who have recourse to you.”
Msgr. James P. Moroney, cathedral rector, told of a priest lamenting about being unable to comfort people at burials as in the past. He also asked viewers if they could imagine what it was like to celebrate the Easter Vigil with just 10 people in church.
The diocese sought guidance about handling the pandemic and the pastoral provisions kept people safe, he said.
He recalled apologizing to a parishioner about being unable to let him in for Mass. The man said he came to pray outside during Mass, explaining, “I just want to be close to you.”
“Your priests want to be close to you,” Msgr. Moroney told viewers. “They join their sufferings to yours in the cross of Jesus. … They pray for you, even when you can’t be there.”
Father Robert A. Grattaroti, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Charlton, in a video shot there, said the virus shutdown gave him time to recharge his batteries. People gave him suggestions of ways to minister, such as drive-by blessings and 24-hour adoration with the monstrance displayed in a window, he said.
During the shutdown, ministry to the sick was deemed essential, said Father Donato Infante III, director of the Office for Vocations, who was one of the priests specially designated to minister to the sick.
“There wasn’t a single nursing home in our diocese” that refused him entrance, he said. He would put on protective equipment, leaving his clerical collar visible.
People encounter Jesus in the sacraments even when family can’t be with them, he said.
Among those receiving ministry was Father Diego Buritica, associate pastor at the cathedral. Diagnosed with coronavirus, he and another priest and seminarians were welcomed to recuperate in Southbridge, by Father Kenneth R. Cardinale, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish there. Parishioners brought food and medicine, Father Buritica said.
He said his own symptoms were mild but lasted two months, which made him feel unproductive. But the experience helped those recuperating to realize they are human too. He said it gave him the chance to value people’s presence in his life and “minister to them from a common place, to be not only a pastor, but a brother.”
Caring for priests during the pandemic has been a challenge, according to Sister Mary Ann Bartell, a Carmelite Sister of the Eucharist, who heads the ministry to retired priests.
She spoke of being responsible for a 98-year-old whom the ambulance refused to take to the hospital, because that might be more risky for him, and of being a priest’s only outside contact. She could bring the Eucharist and a statue into a facility for a priest, she said.
She also told of a priest, in a facility himself, responding marvelously when asked to minister to people with the virus.
Father John F. Gee was almost 93 when he retired this summer, said Father Richard F. Reidy, vicar general of the diocese. He joked about using the former pastor of North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn as an example of how to address the cost of retired priests’ care: raise the retirement age to 93! (His suggestion wasn’t accepted.)
The diocese has 50 retired priests, and 42 more priests are expected to reach age 75 in the next nine years, Father Reidy said. It is projected that there will be 56 retired priests in 2028, he said.
Figures from 2019 showed the diocese falling hundreds of thousands of dollars short of the more than $2.6 million needed to care for retired priests, he said.
After priests have given a lifetime of service, it is only right to support them with a stipend and health insurance, Father Reidy said.
“We are very grateful for your support,” he told viewers, and asked that those who hadn’t contributed to consider doing so. He also asked prayers for priests and seminarians.
Father James B. O’Shea, a retired priest, said it is a tremendous encouragement to know people “are still interested in us, supportive of us.” That gives retired priests a feeling of belonging, he said.
The webcast included photos of recently deceased priests and a video of priests singing the Salve Regina at a previous Celebrate Priesthood! gala. Bishop McManus closed with thanks to those who contributed financially, helped put together the gala or watched it, and he led the praying of the Hail Mary.
