Last Thursday (10/23), we had our first meeting with our new vicars forane along with the regional bishops and episcopal vicars, to discuss their responsibilities and the very important role that the vicars have in promoting priestly fraternity and pastoral planning in the various regions of the archdiocese. We have an excellent group of vicars forane, who are a crucial part of the archdiocesan structure.

Adopt-A-Student dinner

That evening, I attended the annual Adopt-A-Student Foundation dinner to benefit Cathedral High School. I was very happy to learn that the event raised over $1.5 million. The alumni of Cathedral High have been crucial in supporting the school. I think it is not an exaggeration to say that the school likely would have closed were it not for the wonderful response of the alumni. John Remondi in particular has been an important figure in the whole process of setting up the board of the school and leading their annual fundraising efforts. During the evening, they honored the Highland Street Foundation, which was founded 25 years ago by the late David McGrath. Today, it is headed by his wife, JoAnn and his children and continues to do so much to support important projects in our local area, including the Adopt-A-Student Foundation.

Seminary alumni gathering

Friday (10/24), we had our annual alumni gathering at St. John's Seminary. We were joined by a number of priests from throughout the region who had studied at St. John's and cherished the opportunity to come back to visit the seminary and see their classmates. We always begin the evening with Vespers, followed by a dinner in the refectory. It is always a very enjoyable event.

Funeral for a friend

Tuesday (10/28) I traveled to New York for the funeral of my dear friend, Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete. We gathered at St. Mary's Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the church where for many years he celebrated the Spanish Mass. It is a very beautiful church and, in fact, is one of the oldest churches in the city of New York. Concelebrating the Mass with me were Archbishop Roberto Gonzales, who was also very dear friend of Lorenzo's; Bishop Octavio Cisneros from Brooklyn; Father Jose Gomez, who is now responsible for the Communion and Liberation movement in United States; and many members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo. Of course, Lorenzo's funeral brought together quite an eclectic crowd of friends, acquaintances and admirers. Among those present were the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson, and his wife Dorian. Certainly, there were also many members of Communion and Liberation. One of the more typical "Lorenzo" touches to the Mass was that there were mariachis who played "Mi Viejo San Juan" as they carried the casket to the hearse. The parishioners, many of whom are Puerto Rican, joined in the singing of that song, which is almost the second national anthem of Puerto Rico.

Visit with Mother General

Yesterday (10/30), I was visited by the Mother General the Daughters of St. Paul, Sister Anna Maria. She was accompanied by the provincial, Sister Leonora Wilson, and our Delegate for Religious, Sister Marian Batho. Sister Anna Maria is visiting all the Daughters' houses in the United States and came for a visit during her stop in Boston. We had a very lovely talk. They mentioned that they are preparing for the 100th anniversary of their foundation and that they will have a special gathering of the entire Pauline family with the Holy Father as part of that celebration. Also, I will be celebrating a Mass for them in June to mark the centennial of the Daughters of St. Paul and the other Pauline communities of which here in Boston we also have the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, who were also founded by Blessed James Alberione.