Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
I apologize that this Monday’s Weekly Word is arriving a little late. I spent the day in Pittsburgh at the installation of Bishop Mark Eckman as the 13th bishop of my home diocese. It was a spectacular celebration for anyone in the Cathedral…but it was particularly special for me.
I have known Bishop Eckman for more than 50 years. We were in the same class at our high school, South Hills Catholic, and I always had great respect for him. Even in 9th grade, he had his eyes set on seminary and was always gently encouraging me to do the same. Even after we graduated and he moved on to St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh and I went on to study political science and then law, he made a point of being that steady nudge that would make me think that perhaps God could be calling me to be a priest. I will always be grateful for his good example.
I remember going to his diaconate ordination, just as I was finally beginning seminary, and I recall being extremely moved by that experience and the promises that he made on that day. His priestly ordination and first Mass were great as well—real sources of encouragement as I continued on my somewhat delayed path to joining him as a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
While I was thrilled for him and for Pittsburgh at today’s installation and felt so privileged to be joining them in prayer, it was equally exciting to be in Pittsburgh’s Cathedral (the “other” Cathedral of Saint Paul). As the place where I was ordained a priest, that Cathedral, will always have a special place in my heart. It was particularly significant today because the bishop who ordained me 36 years ago this month was at the installation Mass as well. There’s something about a shared history that knits us together as family and roots us in God’s love.
I was probably feeling a bit nostalgic even before I arrived at the Cathedral. I had Mass and breakfast earlier in the day with my Godmother and only remaining aunt, and some of her family. It’s always fun to be reminded of family traits that we all share, even after living apart for decades.
In many ways, we Catholics have that same sense of shared history every time we gather for Mass. The Eucharist unites us with Christ and with each other, even when the Mass is offered in different surroundings or even different languages.
One of my greatest joys as Archbishop is being able to experience the great beauty, breadth and depth of our local church as experienced at Mass. Last Sunday, I was thrilled by a standing-room-only congregation at Our Lady of Guadalupe for one of the morning Spanish Masses (God bless them for putting up with my bad Spanish) while yesterday I was impressed by the choir and congregation at Holy Spirit as they welcomed their new pastor. The languages and music were different, but the love for the Eucharist and Christ’s Church was the same.
When we began our focus one year ago on the Pastoral Letter priority of the Mass, I knew that it would be important for all of us to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Archdiocese if we were to truly grow in our love for Jesus in the Eucharist, and the liturgy through which we experience Him. The parishes of this Archdiocese are diverse in customs and traditions, yet united in our Lord. That’s what helped inspire the Archdiocesan Passport Adventure. As I visit our parishes in this season of installing new pastors, I’ve been amazed at how many of you recount the details of your local “Passport” pilgrimages. I am delighted that they are being fruitful for you.
There’s something about a pilgrimage – even a short one to the parish next door – that reminds us of how we are all pilgrims in this life, journeying towards our heavenly home. The pilgrim’s experience is one of hope, making it all the more meaningful during this Jubilee Year. As the late Pope Francis wrote in Spes non confundit, “For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1).”
This weekend, I am looking forward to returning to one of our Jubilee sites – our own Cathedral of Saint Paul – to celebrate Mass on our 175th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese, this Saturday, July 19. Mass begins at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by food trucks and fellowship in the Cathedral Courtyard, plus a beanbag tournament (sign up here). It will be a great opportunity for us to celebrate the shared history that defines us as a faith family.
I hope to see many of you there. I trust we’ll be joined by the heavenly hosts that day, as we are each time the Eucharist is celebrated. I can’t help but think, however, that all our deceased bishops, from Bishop Cretin to Archbishop Flynn, will be celebrating with us that day, along with all the amazing clergy, consecrated women and men, and laity who have helped shape our archdiocese over these past 175 years. While I’ll always love the Church of Pittsburgh, I feel particularly blessed to be part of this faith family.
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