SATURDAY, JUNE 21
Praise, fellowship and celebration
Memorable liturgy and gala officially mark Paulist 150th anniversary
VIEW A PHOTO ALBUM FROM THE 150th ANNIVERSARY MASS AND GALA
by Christopher Gaul
special to paulist.org
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The event-filled, joyous 150th anniversary celebrations drew to a close Saturday evening with a special liturgy presided by long-time friend of the Paulists, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., followed by a “Gala 150” dinner during which the first Hecker Awards”were presented.
Speaking with warm affection and respect for Paulist founder Father Isaac Thomas Hecker during the homily, Cardinal McCarrick recalled how the “angel of God,” spoke to Father Hecker, leading him to recognize the signs of the times and to act on them by spreading the Catholic faith throughout a still fledgling nation.
The early Paulists, the cardinal said, were “providential men, led by Divine Providence,” which continued to lead them throughout the 150 years of their special ministry.
The Mass, held in the beautifully elegant lower church of the splendid Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, was a moving liturgy developed by Father Thomas A. Kane, C.S.P.; Father Edward Koharchik, C.S.P.; Father Ricky Manalo, C.S.P.; and Paulist seminarian Richard Andre, C.S.P. Readings from the Epistles of St. Paul and the writings of Father Hecker were presented in dramatic fashion in both English and Spanish by Father John E. Collins, C.S.P., Jennifer Kozakowski and Irene Holly.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father John F. Duffy, C.S.P., president of the Paulist Fathers; Father James E. Moran, C.S.P., the Paulist Fathers’ vice president; Father Frank DeSiano, C.S.P., the Paulist Fathers’ first consultor; and the General Council of the Paulist Fathers.
It was pointedly and encouragingly appropriate to the Paulist community that the “Sending Forth” hymn, written by Father Manalo, included the lyrics: “We are sent into the world to proclaim the reign of God. We give glory to the Risen Christ among us. Though our eyes have not seen his face, we believe and we spread the story of our faith.”
Afterwards, Paulists and guests were delighted to find the Great Room of Catholic University’s Pryzbyla Center transformed into a festive dining area, complete with big TV screen coverage, and a menu that would have pleased the most demanding of gourmets.
The five, first Hecker Awards were presented by Father John F. Duffy, C.S.P., president of the Paulist Fathers to:
• Cardinal McCarrick, as thanks for his witness “in such a wonderful way the ideals Isaac Hecker held out to us Paulists and to the American Church.”
• David O’Brien, Father Hecker’s biographer, who “has sought in the spirit of Hecker to interpret the church to American and America to the church.”
• The Joseph and Katherina Illig family, the family of Paulist Father Alvin A. Illig, widely recognized as one of the most prominent and influential American Catholic evangelists of the 20th century. Accepting the award were Joseph and Cecile Illig, Victor and Joann Illig, and Edward and Marjorie Illig.
• Delores R. Leckey, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. “Indeed,” said Father Duffy, “Delores Leckey is one who embraces what Father Hecker, Servant of God, meant when he encouraged the Paulists to be attentive to the signs of the times and for all she has done our future is brighter than any past.”
• Dr. John Borelli, a prominent actor in the field of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue for a very long time, who serves as vice-president of the Board of the Paulist Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.
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