Lessons for life from Bishop Broderick

1. Always say thanks: He would always thank all from the driver to the President for their kindness to him. At his brother's funeral and in the midst of deep sorrow, he went out of his way to thank the Marines for presenting the American flag to my Mom.

2. Be obsessed with education: To young and old, he stressed that learning was essential for a productive, holy and happy life. Late in life he attended a theological refresher at the Vatican for three weeks. Education was sacrosanct.

3. Reach out to those in pain: He said often the role of a priest was "helping people." He knew when people were hurting and how to offer a helping hand rather than an overwhelming grasp.

4. Foster ideas but don't fester criticism: When things would go wrong with the flock, this Bronx born shepherd knew to corral the sheep with an abundance of ideas rather than a flood of criticism. Questions were asked in a friendly manner without creating an iota of criticism.

5. Abide with us: Bishop Broderick's episcopal motto was, "Abide with us, O Lord." It meant whatever would happen, there was always the promise of God's blessings for each of our worthy endeavors.

6. Cast a wide net of friendships: It was amazing to see his sphere of friends. These ranged from Pope Paul VI, auto tycoons, stock brokers and bankers to the airport shuttle-bus driver, the old man who resided near the cathedral steps, doormen and the elevator operator. He had friends of all sorts and types in and outside the Church.

7. Be open to the new: Although Bishop Broderick was ordained in 1942, he moved Vatican II forward in his work. He pushed reforms to let the laity take new roles in the Church and always looked for new ideas. He gave me his copy of the book, "Future Shock," by Alvin Toffler, on the accelerating pace of social transformation. I later realized his notations on the pages formed the outline of a homily which he delivered to a huge audience.

8. Communications is a commandment: Knowledge is worthless unless you are able to communicate it effectively. Bishop Broderick had a skillful mastery of, and Irish gift for, the English language which enabled him to communicate in books, pamphlets, homilies, speeches, TV, radio and articles.

9. Know when people are having a hard time and respect them: Bishop Broderick had a sense of when people were in trouble and needed help. He provided an over-the-shoulder approach, willing to offer a helping hand if needed with patience, care and hospitality.

10. Have a big sense of humor: Regardless of the circumstances, the bishop always had a gleeful eye out for opportunities to create humor in a polite and friendly manner. At funerals, he would muster a few laughs which humanized people and alleviated their stress. Even two weeks before his death, he still was making me laugh on the phone.

Forty-two years have passed since Bishop Broderick's colorful consecration at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was spring. It was a warm and happy day. I was young. Life was beginning. Little did I realize this episcopal seed would bless and help many lives with lessons from a bishop to cherish and use for a lifetime.

(Douglas Broderick is the nephew of the late Bishop Edwin Broderick, who was an auxiliary bishop of New York and the eighth Bishop of Albany. He works for the United Nations in Cambodia.)