Cardinal has been a good, faithful leader, supporters say
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 16, 2006
Detroit – It’s not an easy job being cardinal, but supporters of Cardinal Adam Maida agree that he’s done a fine job.
After an anniversary Mass to celebrate Cardinal Maida’s 50th year of priestly service, many gathered afterward at a reception – complete with a cardinal-shaped ice sculpture – in his honor. His commitment to the Church and the gifts that have enabled him to be an effective leader were among reasons people were celebrating.
Charles Rutherford, and his wife, Patricia, members of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, attended the celebration and applauded how the cardinal has done his job over the years.
“The cardinal has done great work over the years,” said Charles Rutherford. “He’s had a tough job. People want simple solutions to difficult problems.”
And sometimes, the person solving the problem needs to take a lot of time and prayer to reflect on it, to see what options are available, he said.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in my Church and the ones who run it,” he said. “It’s not an easy task.”
Cardinal Maida was named archbishop of Detroit 16 years ago and was named a cardinal nearly 12 years ago. He became a priest May 26, 1956.
Terry Gery, of St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township, said the cardinal has done a fine job leading the archdiocese in spite of some tough times, such as when it was necessary to close parishes or schools.
“He’s led very well throughout the years,” she said. “He’s proven his leadership skills.”
Gery said not only was the chance to celebrate with the cardinal awesome, but the choir was beautiful and uplifting. “(Archdiocesan chorus director) Norah Duncan did a wonderful job,” she said.
Her husband, Jim, of St. John Vianney and also of St. Josephat (Ukrainian Byzantine) Parish, said the service was enlightening, and fantastic without being slow.
Jane Bleka and her family came from Lemont, Ill., a southwestern suburb of Chicago, just for the event. She said she was overwhelmed with how many bishops, priests and religious turned out for the event.
She was born in Poland, so she feels a special connection to Cardinal Maida, too, as his family was from Poland, and also to Pope John Paul II. “We just love him to death,” she said.
Louis E. Joseph, of Warren, attended the celebration with his wife, Beverly. Not only did he work for the Archdiocese of Detroit from 1949 to 1964, but now he’s vice-chair of the parish council at St. Martin de Porres Parish, on the vicariate board, and serves on the Archdiocesan Parish Council. “I’ve been very close to the Church all my life,” he said. “It’s a top priority to be here.”
He said the cardinal’s service to the Church was outstanding and, and that he was totally dedicated to the Church. Not only is the cardinal a holy man, but he has talked about how all of us should be motivated to serve our Lord, Joseph said.
“He’s a very gifted man,” he said of the cardinal “It’s a gift of faith, and I thank God for it.”
Sr. Joseph Andrew, OP, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, of Ann Arbor, said the cardinal is an outstanding leader – and his anniversary is nothing to take lightly.
“The world should stop and celebrate,” she said.
Not only does Cardinal Maida remind her of Pope John Paul II, but she and a few others from her order came to support him and thank him for being faithful to the priesthood.
“This whole celebration is about fidelity,” Sr. Joseph Andrew said. “In a world of broken commitments, the cardinal is an example.”
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