April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
REFLECTION
Three men I admire
On March 13, 2013, I was attending a meeting at our diocesan Pastoral Center when we heard that the cardinal electors had selected a new pope to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation had come a few weeks earlier.
A cardinal came to the balcony above St. Peter's Square and announced that the cardinals had selected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina, who had selected the name Francis - a first.
We wondered: "Who is this man?"
From the moment he stepped onto the balcony in a simple white cassock, bowed his head and asked for the prayers of the people, the world fell in love with Pope Francis. He has made an impact not only on those who share his faith, but on many others around the world, including atheists.
He has shown what it means to be a servant of the Lord. His humble lifestyle - not living in the papal apartments, paying his own hotel bill from where he stayed before the conclave, being driven in a simple car and so on - has resonated with people, as has his genuine love and concern, especially for those in the margins of society.
No one in leadership can escape having critics. Some criticism of Francis has come from the more traditional wing of the Church - perhaps because he has not slavishly followed all the rules, such as when he went to a prison on Holy Thursday and washed the feet of prisoners, including women and those who were not Catholic.
I would point to some of Jesus' own words to the critics of His day: "If you knew what this meant, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned [disciples who plucked grain on the Sabbath]. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mt 12:7-8).
Again: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity" (Mt 23:23).
The pope has reached out physically to many people, particularly children. How many times have we seen him stop and take a child, kiss and bless him or her? As we read in Matthew: "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Mt 19:14).
We hear people say, "WWJD: What would Jesus do?" We can see in Francis what Jesus would do: reach out with love, compassion and mercy to all. May the Lord give Pope Francis many years of health to be able to guide our Church in these difficult times.
BISHOP HOWARD J. HUBBARD
I met Howard Hubbard when we were seminary students in 1958. I cherish our 55 years of friendship. Howard finished his seminary studies in Rome and returned to the Albany Diocese in 1964, serving as a "street priest" in Albany; he worked at Providence House and was instrumental in founding Hope House, where treatment could be offered to those addicted to drugs.
He later became involved in personnel work for the Diocese and, in 1977, Pope Paul VI selected him as the ninth bishop of Albany after Howard had only been a priest for 14 years. At the time, he was the youngest bishop in the United States.
Howard Hubbard has accomplished many things during his tenure, especially his pursuit of social justice and efforts to bring together people of varying faith traditions to work for the common good. Not long ago, he was honored for his ecumenical and interfaith efforts by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. He is often referred to by people in those traditions as "our bishop."
Last October, a liturgy was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany honoring the Bishop's 50 years of priesthood. More than 1,300 people were in attendance. I had the privilege of serving as deacon of the Eucharist at the Mass.
The affection the people of this Diocese have for our Bishop shone as he arrived in the Cathedral to thunderous applause. He has also been feted at events by groups throughout the Diocese and state.
Having reached his 75th birthday at the end of October, by Church practice he submitted his resignation as the bishop of Albany, and we await the announcement of his successor. My prayer is that he will continue to enjoy good health and peace during his retirement years.
REV. JAMES VAUGHAN
Nearly a third of my life has been involved with Sacred Heart parish in Troy. I served as parish organist and choir director there from 1966-86 and, in 2012, became temporary administrator of the parish while the pastor was on medical leave.
From 1973-2000, the pastor was Rev. James Vaughan. I had met him when I joined the Catholic Young Adult League in the early 1960s - he was the group's chaplain - and he was my boss for 13 years while I was music director at Sacred Heart.
In Father Vaughan, I saw an example of what a priest of Christ should be: a man of deep prayer and love for his people. Many people who know Father Vaughan consider him one of the most revered priests in our Diocese.
It is often felt that, when a pastor retires, he should not keep living at the parish he served, lest he be seen as intruding on the work of his successor. In the case of Father Vaughan, nothing could be further from the truth. He has remained in residence at Sacred Heart and is seen as a source of wisdom and guidance by his successors. He is much loved by the people of the parish and he always greets them with a big smile. I pray that God will continue to grant him good health so he can remain among the people he loves to serve.
I am blessed by having these three men in my life and know that God will keep them always in His heart.
(Deacon Hook is a retired deacon of the Albany Diocese.)[[In-content Ad]]
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