I Share Some Secrets
Rembrandt’s The Supper at Emmaus
Picture via Wikipedia
On Tuesday of this week, May 6, I will celebrate 70 years of Priesthood. Allow me to share with you some “secrets” I have discovered in dealing with thousands of people over those years. These “secrets” pertain to values in life – that is, what makes for joyful, successful living.
Above all other goals in life, daily seek the close friendship of Jesus of Nazareth in all you say and do. There is none greater than He.
See in prayer the privilege of privileges. If you consistently use prayer you will never lack faith and courage to face the difficulties of life.
Perhaps, because of its preciousness, love, the consideration for others, ranks by far as the most difficult virtue for human beings to practice. Those who consistently succeed in loving taste heaven on earth.
Every single human being, young and old, desperately needs frequent affirmation. Everyone needs to hear daily: “You are beautiful. You possess charm and goodness.” The one who daily affirms others ranks among the world’s greatest lovers.
A peaceful, loving heart, free of spite and hateful spirits may easily be the finest treasure or wealth that anyone can possess in life. This type of heart is a masterpiece of creation.
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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Hello Dear Father Mckenna, Huge congrats on your 70th anniversary!!! Wanted to let you know that Terry and I have been inspired by your kind and thoughtful words soooo very many times!!! We thank God for you!!!! All prayers and blessings, Terry and Ellen Hodges
Happy anniversary, Father McKenna. God bless you.
Congratulations on 70 years as a priest. Thank you for the Midway chapel services, I remember going at the gates. You helped me so much, Thank You
Mike Derrick, ATA pilot
Dear Father McKenna, We are so happy for you and wish you all of God’s blessings. I have been forwarding your posts for over a year to all of my children. We are deeply touched by your love of The Lord. Joanne Kelly (Fr. Jim O’Malley’s sister)
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May God bless you for 70 years of service for doing His work on Earth. Pam Gervais
What a marvelous set of ‘secrets’ for us to follow. I know that I am trying to live my life more like you have described. It is funny, because now I notice these traits more in others. I feel happier and more free when I am less spiteful. Thank you for summing it up so beautifully! Happy 70th anniversary! You are truly a gift from God! God Bless you always, Fr. George! Love, Nancy
Thanks for sharing some of your secrets dear-heart . . . How priceless they really are . . . difficult to find one more valuable than the other. . . printing them out to share w/Fr Phil and myself daily. Blessings Galore to you and your family, mary lou wingert
“The Lord will not forget the work you did and the love you showed.” hEBREWS 10″6
This has got to be one of my favorite posts! Congratulations on 70 wonderful and inspiring years.
Father McKenna. You have the heart of the master piece of creation!!! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and a big congratulations on your 70 years, the world is a better place because of you being in it, with love Deb Hurley
What a wonderful message. My daily mantra will be, “Lord, give me a peaceful and loving heart, free of spite and hateful spirits.” This daily affirmation, and a belief that God will provide, will free me of so much that is wrong in my life – hate, resentment, judgement, indifference, pride, envy. Thank you.
What would Don Bosco say?