Blessed Are Those Who See Not, But Believe
Pope John XXIII
On a hot day in June, 1959, in Rome in St. Peter’s Basilica, I attended the Solemn Feast Day Mass of SS. Peter and Paul, celebrated by then reigning Pontiff, the jovial John XXIII. With a good position overlooking the altar, I enjoyed the close view of this humble man as he offered up the Perfect Sacrifice of Praise. In the splendor and beauty of the world’s largest House of Worship, the Sistine Choir filled the air with heavenly music. No one attending ceremonies of such magnitude ever forgets this experience or remains unaffected by the outpouring of the voices of thousands of worshippers.
In my mind’s eye, I can still see the saintly Pope, slowly genuflecting at the altar, his careful and deliberate motions of reverence, with his eyes raised in a beseeching way to Heaven. At times, his emotion filled voice still comes to my ears as he said the sacred words of consecration . . . This is My Body . . . This is the Cup of My Blood.
My spirit of Faith took a giant leap forward on that day, 52 years ago on the Feast of SS Peter and Paul. I rejoiced in my belief in all the actions of worship taking place at that splendid altar of God right before my eyes! As never before, the gift of Faith handed on to me by my parents, through no merit of my own, took on a new and precious value.
Never again would I have any doubts about the worth of my work in the Priesthood as I viewed the faith-filled actions of the humble John XXIII. He was first of all a priest of the Lord like myself. If this Faith could produce a man like Pope John, I wanted to possess that faith in God.
Treasure our gift of Belief in God. If God is real, He deserves public worship from His followers, especially in the Mass where His Son is offered as a Perfect Sacrifice of Praise and Thanks. With enthusiasm and joy, gather with other believers to lift our voice in song. To prepare our mind and heart, come 15 minutes early, sit close to the altar, read the Scriptures of the day and dress in our best or near best.
Belief in God gives answers to all the big questions in life: Why am I here? . . . Where am I going? . . . Who will help me in my needs and weaknesses?
Fr. George Mc Kenna
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About
Fr. George P. McKenna
Born July 12, 1919
Entered Eternal Life January 25, 2019
The son of Patrick and Mary (O’Malley) McKenna, Fr. George was a graduate of St. Theodore Grammar School, Quigley Seminary North, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. On May 6, 1944, he was ordained by Samuel Cardinal Stritch and faithfully served the Archdiocese of Chicago for 75 years.
His assignments included: Maryville Academy (1944-1949), Teacher at Quigley Seminary North and South (1949-1968), Christ the King (1963-1968), Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish (1970-1976), Missionary at Fairbanks Diocese in Northern Alaska (1976-1977), Pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria (1978-1982), Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Snows (1982-1989).
While assigned to Our Lady of the Snows, he would walk around Midway Airport for exercise and would stop in there to warm up. When he realized there was no Chapel at Midway, he knew his next calling and he founded Chicago Midway Airport Chapel on July 24, 1988 and served as the Chaplain until 2011.
His life long quest was to know and love Jesus of Nazareth, and Fr. George traveled to The Holy Land 27 times during his life, to walk in His footsteps and grow in his love an understanding of Our Lord.
Fr. McKenna wrote four books: A trilogy titled “I’ll Only Speak for 3 Minutes” and his last work, “Wisdom From the Pulpit“. After his retirement as Chaplain in 2011 he started this Blog and began sharing old and new messages of faith, hope and love that he had written as homilies over the years. This Blog will remain active until his treasure trove of messages is exhausted.
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