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| Karen with Cardinal Keeler Saint Peter's Square, 1996 |
On March 23,
2017 God called home Cardinal William Keeler, a “wise and gentle pastor.”
Our Holy Father Pope Francis wrote beautiful words of condolence to those who mourn the late Cardinal. Countless eloquent words of tribute are
posted on the Archdiocese of Baltimore website.
I hope you will indulge me in some simple but heartfelt words in memory
of a dear friend.
My first
interactions were with then Bishop Keeler of the Diocese of Harrisburg. He certainly lived the words of his episcopal
motto, “Do The Work of an Evangelist.” I
cannot remember ever seeing him eat dinner at large diocesan gatherings as he
spent the entire meal time going around the room to every table and greeting each
person, usually by name. He had an enviable
gift for remembering names (without needing a name tag!) and other details
about those whom he met. He was a great
correspondent, especially good at keeping in touch after he became Archbishop of
Baltimore, testified by a large collection of hand-written notes in my possession. He appreciated updates on the health of
friends as he promised his prayers for them.
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| Karen and Terry with Cardinal Keeler Cardinal's Residence Chapel, celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary |
Cardinal Keeler
was generous in his support and encouragement of my service to the Church,
whether in the National Council of Catholic Women, World Union of Catholic Women’s
Organizations, or in the parish and diocese.
One day Cardinal Keeler took me by the hand to introduce me to another
Cardinal, whom he also took by the hand and, referring to an upcoming Vatican
event, said, “You need Karen at that meeting.” Not long afterwards the official invitation
arrived from the Vatican: I did attend and speak.
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| Cardinal Keeler welcoming WUCWO Executive Committee Members Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome |
Cardinal Keeler
graciously interceded for me to meet Pope John Paul II on multiple occasions. A humble man who never forgot his simple
roots he once told me about having dinner with His Holiness and thinking to
himself, “What is a boy from Lebanon (PA) doing at the Vatican eating with the
Pope?” He proudly shared
a photo he took with his own camera of Pope John Paul II looking out a helicopter window at stadium overflowing with faithful awaiting his arrival during a visit to the USA.
I will always
give thanks to God for the gift of the ministry and friendship of Cardinal
Keeler. The witness of his faith and his
care for others drew people to him and, most of all, to the Lord. During my last visit with His Eminence, a
mutual friend and I shared our memories of many special times with the
Cardinal. At that point he was not able
to speak to us, though he tried valiantly.
We knew he was pleased with our presence and remembrances.
The Cardinal
will be greatly missed by many, but the Lord has surely said, “Well done, good
and faithful servant…”
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
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The following
is the full text of the telegram of condolences following the death yesterday,
23 March 2017, of His Eminence Cardinal William Henry Keeler, of the title of
Santa Maria degli Angeli, archbishop emeritus of Baltimore, United States of
America. sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Excellency William Edward Lori,
archbishop of Baltimore.
Telegram
from the Holy Father
To the Most
Reverend William E. Lori
Archbishop of
Baltimore
Deeply saddened
to learn of the death of Cardinal William H. Keeler, I offer heartfelt
condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the
Archdiocese. With gratitude for Cardinal Keeler’s years of devoted episcopal
ministry in the local Churches of Harrisburg and Baltimore, his years of
leadership within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and his
long-standing commitment to ecumenical and interreligious understanding, I join
you in commending the soul of this wise and gentle pastor to the merciful love
of God our heavenly Father. To all who mourn the late Cardinal in the sure hope
of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of
consolation and peace in the Lord.
FRANCISCUS PP.
For more
information please visit:
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For more
information about Cardinal Keeler please visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore
website: http://cardinalwilliamkeeler.com/
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