Living
Rev. Fr. Maxwell Chukwudiebere : Mass of Thanksgiving Homily – Part I
This homily was given By Rev. Fr. Ryan Connors at St. Michael’s the Archangel Parish, Winthrop, on the 22 May 2022 at Fr. Maxwell’s first Thanksgiving Mass.
On 15 October 1991, Pope John Paul II formally declared Saint Patrick patron of the Archdiocese of Boston. I suspect it goes without saying, the priests and people of this local church cherished devotion to glorious Saint Patrick long before the papal decree.
However, not until the saintly Polish Pope did Boston’s patronage receive confirmation from the Holy See.
Three decades before this decree, Rome recognized Patrick’s patronage for a church across the ocean. In l961l, the _Sacred Congregation’ of Rites’ declared Patrick the patron of Nigeria.
Since, before the Second Vatican Council, the priests and people of Nigeria have claimed Saint Patrick as their patron. A fierce devotion to Catholic faith in the Blessed Trinity and a courageous missionary spirit characterize Boston’s and Nigeria’s patron. I suspect the same
professors at All Hallows Seminary in Dublin instructed both the Irish missionaries who evangelized in Lagos, Nigeria and those sent on a mission to the Church in New England.
From Winthrop to County Waterford; from Topsfield to Tipperary, from Norwood to the Nigerian countryside, and everywhere in between, the Catholic people rejoice today in their newest
priest. Father Maxwell, the people of Boston rejoice in you their newest priest. Since the place of your birth and the see of your mission share a patron, we do well to ponder the grace Saint Patrick
offers a newly ordained Catholic priest.
Glorious Saint Patrick fathered the faith in Ireland. And his fatherhood has borne fruit the world over.
The missionaries who evangelized Nigeria and the priests sent here to Boston emerge as his spiritual sons. Their missionary spirit impelled them to preach the Catholic faith in the Triune God to peoples, near and far.
Like Saint Patrick, the Catholic priest exercises his fatherhood when he preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It falls to every father to tell his children stories. Even ally he, tells them their own
story, who they are, where they came from, and the adventure in fidelity on which God leads them.
Father Maxwell, through your authentic preaching, you will teach the people of this Archdiocese the earth-shattering news: Jesus Christ is the God of Heaven taken on a human face. We meet Him
here in His Church, most especially in the Eucharist. He is Risen from the dead and promises a joy beyond-telling
Father Maxwell, your priestly fatherhood will manifest its goodness, especially in the confessional. Here, and truth to tell only here, sinners will be made saints. Never tire of serving as the indispensable instrument of God’s mercy.
As the Pope tells us, God never gets tired of forgiving. Your priestly fatherhood comes to fruition at God’s holy altar. The words you speak today and every day for the rest of your life are the most powerful in the world. Here at the altar, God comes to feed his people.
