My first boss died last week. Msgr. John Cardiff, pastor of the parish where I served my first assignment as a priest, died last Saturday. A priest’s first assignment is a special thing for a great many reasons. It’s the place where a man finds his footing and begins to learn how to minister. It’s a time for making mistakes and having successes. The pastor at that assignment is a very important person. He can nurture or stifle, affirm or squelch. John Cardiff was a great first pastor for me as we served together for six years.
When I was assigned to St. Linus parish in Oak Lawn, a great many people were surprised because Msgr. Cardiff hadn’t had much luck in working with young priests. They wondered why he would have a newly ordained come to work with him. I’m not sure why those other priests didn’t have success with Msgr. Cardiff, but I sure did. I remember what he told me shortly after I arrived. He said he wanted me to try everything and to do anything I wanted in ministry. He simply wanted to know what I did from me and not from others. He enjoyed my stories of success and helped me through times of failure. He allowed me to find my own footing as a priest. He even trusted me to take his place when he left on a sabbatical even though the usual practice would have had him choose another. I doubt that process of learning how to be a priest ever ends, but I had a good beginning with John Cardiff.
Msgr. Cardiff was a great lover of life, and he especially loved soup. My mother found that out, and she developed her own special relationship with him over the years of his retirement. Whenever she made soup, she made sure that packages ready for eating or freezing made their way to Oak Lawn. I’m praying now that she’s making soup for him in heaven.
Msgr. Cardiff would’ve been 90 on his next birthday, and he was a priest for 64 years. I know that the St. Linus community where he lived, worked, and served for the last 37 years of his life both mourns and celebrates. I do the same.
• Dzie kuje. Gracias. Thank you. I express my profound gratitude to all those who made the 104th anniversary of our parish a worthy celebration. Thanks to the musicians, liturgical ministers, those who provided pastries, and those who managed the gathering in the hall. Thanks most of all to those who attended and shared in the celebration.
• In the next few weeks, we will be changing the keys and locks on all parish buildings. If you currently have a key for any lock here at the parish and wish to continue to do so, you must speak to me. Please call me at your convenience.
God bless you!
Fr. Phil Cyscon
Father Phil!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have "found" you and your blog today. When I "googled" Monsignor Cardiff's name to look for his obituary, your blog popped up.
In this post you spoke about the six years that you served together with Monsignor Cardiff. I remember those six years well, as they were during my days at St. Linus school. Since hearing about Monsignor's death, I've had many fond memories of my life, growing up with him at St. Linus. You're a part of those memories as well. We were so lucky to be blessed with such caring priests who were so involved in the lives of their parish school students. I thank you for that, and hope that you're doing well.
Denise (Dorgan) Muehleck