A Few Matters

Can I chat with you about a few matters?

“You must not be praying your rosary for my Giants!”  she once scolded me.

“I am, Ann . . . and the way they’re playing of late, I say the sorrowful mysteries.”

Her renowned sense of humor did not apply to her beloved New York Giants.  She was not amused.

I’m of course speaking of Ann Mara, a friend, benefactor, leader, mom, wife, and woman of deep faith, who died Super Bowl Sunday.

Ann was one of the first people I met upon arrival here in New York almost a half-dozen years ago.  To have come to know her and her wonderful family has been a pure gift.                   

It will not surprise you that what I found most inspirational about her was her radiant, deep Catholic faith.  You know that she and her legendary husband, Wellington, met in Church, at Mass, at Saint Ignatius Loyola parish, from where she will be buried.  Ann loved Jesus, His beloved Mother, the Church, the Holy Eucharist, the Pope . . . and even me, Cardinal Egan, and our predecessors.  When we would make an appeal – – for our Catholic schools, our seminary, our charities, the missions, our health care apostolates, the Cardinal’s Annual Appeal – – her gift was one of the first to arrive.  This faith she passed on to her children, grandkids, and her great-grandchildren!  They are in tears . . .

So am I . . .but I praise God for her life, ask the Lord’s consolation upon her splendid family, and seek His mercy upon her noble, loving soul.

Next, a real hero of mine, Rick Santorum (and, no I’m’ not endorsing his candidacy) will be in town next Tuesday (February 10, 7pm, at the Barnes and Noble in Bayside, 23-80 Bell Blvd. at 24^th Avenue) to speak on his masterful and moving book, Bella’s Gifts.  Senator Santorum would be the first to tell you that his primary vocation is not politics, but that of a husband and a dad.  Bella is one of his children, a child with special needs, and she has only strengthened his passion to protect the sacredness of all human life.  You would not be disappointed to go hear him and read his book.

Finally, speaking of books, I’m proud of the new one by our renowned priest-author, Father George Rutler, pastor of Saint Michaels, about the parables of Jesus, called Hints of Heaven (Sophia Institute Press).  This is a winner, and would make excellent Lenten spiritual reading.  I’m inviting Father Rutler to give a presentation of the book, and do some signing, at our new Fulton Sheen Center, and I’ll keep you posted.

I’ll talk to you later . . .