ON BEING A PASTOR -- #5

Pastors are priests who learn the pastoral art from many sources. A priest learns from his boyhood pastor. That man's style influences his spiritual progeny. A priest's family - his parents, sisters and brothers shape him as he prepares for ordination. While in training the future priest involves himself in the practice of parish life. Priests and deacons, Religious Sisters and Brothers, lay pastoral ministers and the people mentor him. Parish sizes and styles differ. Gifts differ. People differ. All rub off and teach what it means to minister well.

Today the people who make up St. Malachy parish celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Father Lenny O'Malley. His life has been deeply touched by his parents and family, by his friends and his lay colleagues in public ministry. He would be the first to say thanks to many who stand firm by him when he can stand tall and when he cannot.

I write today about priests who influence Lenny O'Malley's life significantly. Each of them blesses his person.

The first priest, once pastor of St.Luke in Belmont, now resides in active retirement at St. Peter in Cambridge. Father Richard Powers is a man of heart, a magnanimous priest. He loves learning and liturgy, culture and music, well crafted literature and quality preaching. For over fifty years he presides at the Lord's table with class, warmth, and kindness. He exemplifies hospitality. For years he mentors and encourages many priests and lay ministers to serve the church well. Fr. Powers never seeks the limelight. He beams it on others. Still does. He blesses Lenny with a profound and pastoral love for the sacramental liturgies of the church.

The second priest, once pastor of Sacred Heart in Lexington, is pastor of Saint Timothy in Norwood. Father Richard Butler is a man of erudition and good judgement, a gracious priest. He loves learning and liturgy, culture and music, well crafted language and quality preaching. Dick continually promotes the church's liturgical renewal on a national and local level. His many columns in the Boston Pilot are models of clarity and quality. Dick is a shy man. He quietly extends hospitality and is incredibly thoughtful and kind. He invites others to active participation in church life. He blesses Lenny with the ability to color the liturgical lines of the church and to let the liturgy breathe. He stands tall with Lenny, especially when Lenny faced a deeply soul-searching moment in his life.

The third priest comes from America's heartland, lovely Madison, Wisconsin. Father Keith Perleberg is a wounded healer (a term coined by the beloved Fr. Henri Nouwen). He is a man keenly aware of other people. He exudes warmth and kindness. He listens carefully as people discover wellsprings of personal pain. He skillfully nourishes narratives of hope and healing. His prudence and good judgement, his courage and fine humor make him an engaging priestly gentleman. He blesses Lenny with the treasures of friendship, integrity, and depth.

Lenny is also grateful to significant number of men who once served actively as priests. These men, their wives, and wonderful children continually bless Lenny with their friendship and goodness, their exemplary dedication to Christ and their public witness in our world.

Today we bless and congratulate you, Lenny O'Malley. Ad multos annos!