Florida Catholic | Cheers Greet New Monsignors

Cheers greet new monsignors

Overflow crowd attends investiture ceremony.

ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FLORIDA CATHOLIC MIAMI BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 03.07.08

Msgr. Michael Souckar, at left, and Msgr. Emilio Martin exit St. Mary Cathedral after vespers services to the greetings of the people who attended to welcome the new and newly elevated monsignors.

Msgr. Michael Souckar, at left, and Msgr. Emilio Martin exit St. Mary Cathedral after vespers services to the greetings of friends and parishioners who attended to welcome the new and newly elevated monsignors.
ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC

MIAMI | The cheering began as soon as people caught sight of them.

Miami’s new monsignors had to navigate a multitude of outstretched hands and camera flashes as they entered St. Mary Cathedral March 2 for their official investiture.

And that was outside the cathedral, which was literally filled to overflowing with friends and parishioners of the new monsignors, standing elbow to elbow in the aisles and in the vestibule of the church.

“I was really taken aback by the response when we first walked in the church. It was amazing,” said Msgr. Kenneth Schwanger, 47, pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Fort Lauderdale and adjutant judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal.

The hourlong vespers, or evening prayer service, was presided over by Archbishop John C. Favalora, who noted in his closing remarks that “there are those who say that these monsignor honors really don’t mean anything. If you look around you, you will see quite the contrary. It really does mean something when we honor our priests. Our priests do need recognition from time to time.”

ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC
Msgr. James Parappaly poses with members of the Indian Catholic community after the investiture ceremony.

“It means a lot to me because I’m happy with my priesthood and happy that my priesthood is recognized,” said Msgr. James Parappally, 73, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Deerfield Beach, who is the first native of India to be named a monsignor in the archdiocese. “This has boosted me to do more for the Lord.”

“He deserved it 100 percent,” said Aleyamma Simon Pallikunnel, who has worked with Msgr. Parappally in the Indian Catholics Association. “He’s a very hardworking, honest and sincere father.”

“This recognition is for my parishioners,” said Msgr. Pedro Garcia, 72, pastor of St. Ann Mission in Naranja, which ministers to the migrant farmworker community. “They are the ones who are important.”

“They’re really very happy for me and thrilled it’s happened to me,” said Msgr. Frederick Brice, 79, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle in Lighthouse Point. “It’s something I never expected. It’s very humbling to think that you could be considered for such an honor.”

“I have spent over 50 years in the priesthood, and I must say I enjoy every day,” said Msgr. Martin Cassidy, 77, pastor of Assumption Parish in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. “For the most part, the people I have worked with are exemplary, and it has been my pleasure to be of service to them. They have given more to me than I have given to them, and for this I am also grateful.”

Msgrs. Brice, Garcia, Cassidy, Parappally and Schwanger were among 12 archdiocesan priests who were elevated to the rank of monsignor, either as chaplains to His Holiness or prelates of honor to His Holiness.

The others were Msgr. Seamus Doyle, 77, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores; Msgr. Pedro Luis Perez, 81, pastor of San Lazaro Parish in Hialeah; Msgr. Emilio Martin, 79, pastor of St. John the Apostle in Hialeah; Msgr. Michael Carruthers, 43, rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami; Msgr. Oscar Castañeda, 54, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami; Msgr. Jean Pierre, 53, pastor of St. James Parish in North Miami and director of the archdiocesan missions office; and Msgr. Terence Hogan, 55, rector of St. Mary Cathedral and director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

Three others who were already monsignors were elevated in rank. Msgr. William Hennessey, 72, archdiocesan vicar general, became a protonotary apostolic supernumerary, the highest rank of monsignor outside the Vatican.

Msgr. Andrew Anderson, 59, judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal, and Msgr. Michael Souckar, chancellor and administrative secretary to the archbishop, were elevated from chaplains of honor to prelates of honor to His Holiness.

In reflecting on the honor, Msgr. Souckar alluded to his first being named monsignor back in 2000, when he was the youngest in that group.

“I guess this elevation in rank — and the fact that I am 45 years old and nearly 20 years a priest — means that I have to relinquish the title of ‘monjunior,’” he joked.

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