More than 30 years later, after having served in the Northwest United States, he came back home to Chicago, having been appointed Archbishop of Chicago, and soon after was designated a Cardinal.
I have been fortunate to personally interact with Cardinal George on five different occasions:
1. On Sunday, May 21, 2007, he came to Ascension Parish as main celebrant for the Centennial Celebration Mass on our Feast Day. It was so momentous for me to meet him for the first time on this occasion, after having heard so much about him, and having seen him on television news a few times.
2. On Sunday, September 20, 2008, he presided over Mass at St. Cornelius Parish to launch the 40 Days for Life campaign of the Archdiocese of Chicago. This parish happens to be the closest to an abortion clinic where there was a prayer vigil during these 40 Days.
3. On Sunday, August 5, 2012, after having participated in Theology on Tap young adult speakers' series during the month of July, I attended the program's Finale Mass at the Quigley Center. He celebrated that Mass, as is his custom and sign of his commitment to the young adult ministry of the Archdiocese.
4. On Sunday, November 3, 2013, I was present at the Silver Jubilee Mass at St. Martin de Porres Parish, where he was the main celebrant.
5. Most recently, on Sunday, December 22, 2013, I went to Holy Name Cathedral for a Mass he concelebrated, marking the Golden Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. (One of the other concelebrants was Bishop Francis Kane, who confirmed me.) (This Mass came after a special, invitation-only Mass the previous Wednesday celebrating his 50th Anniversary.)
I very much admire the leadership Cardinal George has provided for the local area while serving as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and his attention to the ministry of the Church universal. He has been a strong voice for the Truth in the midst of controversies over government infringements upon the exercise of religious freedom, homosexual marriage, abortion, and immigration. In the midst of so many seeking to work against God's plan for a righteous society, it is good to hear him take his stance so firmly.
But beyond his resolve on these issues, I admire him for his character, which resonates with me in a more personal way.
I still remember the conversation I had with him the second time I met him, after the Mass at St. Cornelius in September 2008. It was so momentous for me to stand in the presence of a man with such importance in the local area and the Church itself. He has even stood in the presence of the Pope, and furthermore, participated in electing him, (now on two different occasions). Yet despite all that power creating an aura of sorts around him, he displayed such humility when he simply requested, "Please pray for me." That moment stays with me, because it shows what the Church it all about. It's not about having power, but recognizing that Jesus Christ has died and risen again, that we might have faith to recognize God's ultimate authority over all of us, and having Him live in us, we have hope of one day being in His presence forever.
Contrary to the impressions of arrogance that Church leaders may have given in centuries past, His Eminence has demonstrated what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ--that He is great, and we are less. Truly Cardinal George has shown himself to be a Servant of God in his ministry.
God Bless you, Your Eminence, on this special milestone in your ministry. May God's guiding grace hover over you in the years to come.
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| Here I am, standing with Cardinal George, at the reception following Ascension Parish's Centennial Mass in May 2007, the first time I met Cardinal George. Thanks to my Dad for getting this picture. |
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| Here I'm posing with Cardinal George at the reception following the Theology on Tap Finale Mass in August 2012. Thanks to the fellow attendee who got this picture for me. |
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