Following the joyful celebration of Cardinal William H. Keeler’s 50th anniversary as a priest Oct. 5, many of the cardinal’s friends and family crowded into white tents erected on the parish lawn of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland to greet Cardinal Keeler personally and celebrate his decades of devoted ministry.
In interviews with The Catholic Review, some of those present for the afternoon celebration said their lives and the lives of thousands of people throughout the archdiocese have been richly influenced by Cardinal Keeler’s leadership.
“He has all the skills of an executive,” said Judge William Quarles Jr., a federal judge on the U. S. District Court in Maryland and a parishioner of the Catholic Community of St. Michael and St. Patrick in Fells Point.
“He can get people to work for the common good,” Judge Quarles said. “ But what distinguishes him is that he is first and foremost a priest. He is so clearly God-centered.”
Christopher Ashby, archdiocesan coordinator of youth ministry training and youth activities, said he has always been impressed by the cardinal’s sincere commitment to young people. Even in recent years before his knee-replacement surgery when Cardinal Keeler had some difficulty walking, the prelate insisted on walking the annual Holy Week youth pilgrimage through the streets of downtown Baltimore, Mr. Ashby said.
“He wanted to be with them and kids respond to that,” Mr. Ashby said. “ I’m always amazed to watch the youth flock to him. He connects with them.”
Bernadette Gietka, a parishioner of Holy Rosary in Fells Point who established Mary’s Foundation headed by her mother, Catherine, described Cardinal Keeler as “the kindest soul in the archdiocese.”
“He’s so sweet and special and kind to everyone he meets,” said Ms. Gietka, a winner of the Mega Millions lottery who has made many donations to Catholic parishes and organizations.
Ms. Gietka said one of the highlights of her life was being present for a private Mass with the cardinal at his residence for her birthday, Sept. 6. She had the opportunity to kneel on the same kneeler once used by Pope John Paul II.
“He’s always praying,” Ms. Gietka said. “He’s a man of God.”
Marilyn Saboe, president of the Baltimore Comitium of the Legion of Mary and a parishioner of St. Joseph Passionist Monastery parish in Baltimore, said it is that committed prayer life that strengthens the cardinal.
“ He has a great love for the Eucharist,” she said. “You can see it in the way he says Mass with such great reverence.”
Sister Virginie Fish, O. S. P., vice-postulator of the cause for canonization for Baltimore’s Mother Mary Lange, said she will never forget how Cardinal Keeler took an immediate interest in pursuing the canonization of Mother Lange, who established the first women’s religious order for African Americans.
Within a week of meeting with Sister Virginie, the cardinal was already contacting Rome to advance the sainthood cause, she said.
“From that day on, Cardinal Keeler has used every opportunity to encourage and promote the cause of Mother Lange and tell people about who she was,” Sister Virginie said.
Thomas Lorsung, retired director and editor in chief of Catholic News Service in Washington and a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, said he had witnessed the cardinal’s great love for the history of the church when he was a guest at the cardinal’s residence when Mr. Lorsung was honored as a Knight Commander of St. Gregory the Great.
“He gave us a tour of the residence and explained the history,” Mr. Lorsung said. “It was done with such enthusiasm and charm and knowledge.”
Mr. Lorsung said he appreciated that Cardinal Keeler is also a strong supporter of the Catholic press.
“He believed in what we did,” Mr. Lorsung said.
Julia Keeler Graham, Cardinal Keeler’s sister, said her family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection for her brother.
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
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