'Whatever Gift We Have Received Is Not for Ourselves, but for Others'
By Gregg Krupa
The Detroit News
June 9, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20060609/LIFESTYLE04/606090363/1041
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Cardinals, archbishops and bishops gather Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Cardinal Adam Maida. People from across the country and representatives from other faiths attended. Photo by Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News |
DETROIT -- Heralded by trumpets and the Archdiocesan Chorus, Cardinal Adam Maida celebrated 50 years as a priest Thursday in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, which was filled with 55 cardinals and bishops from across the country, Catholics from around Michigan, clerics from other Christian denominations, representatives of the Jewish community and an imam.
"The most important lesson I have learned over this half-century is simply this: Every one of us has the gift and power of making all things new in Christ," Maida, 76, said. "Whatever gift we have received is not for ourselves, but for others."
The cavernous cathedral on Woodward, restored to shimmering during Maida's tenure in Detroit, was filled to the back pews for a 2 p.m. Eucharist Liturgy of Thanksgiving.
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Cardinal Adam Maida celebrates Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit on the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Photo by Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News |
Maida's golden jubilee was, as he said, "a joyous occasion," which included a reception in large white tents, set up on the Cathedral Plaza, that sheltered the throng from an afternoon shower. Attendance at the Mass and the reception was by invitation.
Maida has served Catholics since before the seminal Second Vatican Council that changed much about how Catholics practice their faith to an unsettled time of declines in the number of priests in the United States, fewer faithful in the pews and more Catholics questioning clergy about some of the tenets of their faith.
"As Vatican II evolved, we had to evolve," Maida said at a press conference several hours before the Mass. "And then we had huge cultural changes take place, not only in the Church but also in our society. And we had to adapt to that."
Many who attended the jubilee praised Maida for his stewardship. At one juncture in the liturgy, Maida received a prolonged standing ovation.
"I was so pleased to see so many clergy coming in from all across the United States," said Diane Aman of Southfield, who attended the Mass with her husband, Luther. "We're so glad that we have him here."
Maida's recent years have not been without controversy amid instances of sexual abuse by priests, consolidations of parishes and schools, and concerns about millions of dollars he used to start a center in Washington, D.C., dedicated to Pope John Paul II.
Maida begins his 17th year as archbishop of Detroit on June 12. As required, he submitted papers for his retirement last year.
But, as the veteran prelate likes to joke, "I was told to hang on a while.
"And there is more work to be done," Maida said.
"I don't know. I am one year over, already. But, then, you can keep going. And I am happy to be here for this happy occasion."
You can reach Gregg Krupa at (313) 222-2359 or gkrupa@detnews.com.
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