Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As our nation observes the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, I have been thinking a lot about Fr. Mychal Judge, my Franciscan confrere who died that day while serving as a chaplain for the Fire Department of New York.
I came across a copy of the homily that was given at Mychal’s funeral Mass on Saturday, September 15, 2001 by Fr. Michael Duffy, O.F.M., who ministers in Philadelphia to the homeless and food insecure population. Here is some of what he said that day:
“Mychal Judge loved to bring Christ to people. He was the bridge between people and God and he loved to do that. And many times over the past few days, there’s been several people who have come up and said, ‘Father Mychal did my wedding,’‘Father Mychal baptized my child.’ ‘Father Mychal came to us when we were in crisis.’ There are so many things that Father Mychal Judge did for people. I think there’s not one registry in a rectory in this diocese that doesn’t have his name in it for something, a baptism, a marriage or whatever.”
What I remember most about Mychal was his availability. If I had a problem or a situation that needed clarification or advice, he was the first person I’d go to. He was always there to offer reassurance and a few words of wisdom.
The world lost many good and courageous people that day. As we continue to remember and mourn the more than 3,000 persons who died in the 9/11 attacks, I continue to pray that they did not die in vain. The best way to honor their memory is to keep the flame of faith and democracy alive so that future generations may live in peace and prosperity. It’s a struggle worth undertaking.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor
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