The hardware man's son…

For a big man in a big job, Bishop Ray Goedert is a low-profile kind of guy. As archdiocesan vicar general, he’s the second-in-command to Cardinal George.

In addition to administrative duties, he’s often the fill-in for the cardinal, even serving as archdiocesan administrator following the death of Cardinal Bernardin.

For all that, Bishop Goedert is a pretty self-effacing guy. So much so that his 50th anniversary as a priest slipped by almost unnoticed.

That’s “almost.”

Sharp-eyed readers would have noted his photo and small writeup in the recent issue of The Catholic New World which highlighted priestly jubilarians. Fellow Auxiliary Bishop John Gorman also marked his golden jubilee. But their celebrations were overshadowed by the special issue noting the fifth anniversary of the arrival of Cardinal George as archbishop of Chicago.

But it simply won’t do to not acknowledge appreciation for them as priests and as friends.

Bishop Goedert, especially, as vicar general deserves a few words. So I’m going to let him have a few: his own, edited from the homily he gave May 5 at St. Giles, Oak Park. After 50 years as a priest, 10-plus as a bishop and decades as a key player in the Archdiocese of Chicago, his words have the power of perspective.

“… I must confess, I did not approach this day with a great deal of enthusiasm. … On a daily basis, the clergy’s dirty linen has been washed in public for all the world to see. The shame that overwhelms all of us has moved me more than once to think about canceling this public celebration and settling for a simple Mass of Thanksgiving in the private chapel of the residence where I live.

“But that would not be fair…. Some have undoubtedly sullied their priesthood, but that does not detract one iota from the magnificence of the gift of Holy Orders … that certainly deserves to be honored, to be celebrated.

“As a priest, for 50 years I have been privileged to offer … Mass, to nourish the souls of the faithful with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For 50 years I have been an instrument in God’s hands for extending his forgiveness to repentant sinners. For 50 years I have been receiving new members into the church through … baptism. For 50 years I have been uniting couples through … marriage, and preparing others for their final hours on earth through … the anointing of the sick. And for the last 10 years, as a bishop, I have been able to ordain young men to the diaconate and priesthood and to administer … confirmation to countless youngsters and adults …. All of this, my dear friends, deserves to be celebrated!

“… I thank God for the family in which my vocation has been nurtured throughout these 50 years. (Their) love and support… are gifts I will always cherish. …The faith life of all those wonderful people (in the parishes I have served) has … given me great hope for the future.

“… St. Peter says ‘Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.’ Do I have hope? I surely do! Does the negative publicity about priesthood these days dash my hopes? No way! … These may … be dark and worrisome days for the church, but the Holy Spirit has brought the church through crises before. … And this faith, and this well-founded hope, deserve to be celebrated.

“On the day I was ordained a bishop … I asked those gathered … to pray that Jesus, the carpenter’s son, and I, the hardware man’s son, would always be the closest of friends. Today I ask you again for your prayers, that this friendship will continue to grow ever stronger until that day when I will be in the very presence of Christ, … surrounded by… my deceased relatives and friends who have been so much a part of my life. To them, and to all of you, I am so deeply grateful.” And so, bishop, are we.

Tom Sheridan
Editor and General Manager