Msgr. McMahon’s Legacy

Dear Editor: There have been many things said and written recently about the passing on Nov. 12 of Msgr. James B. McMahon, pastor emeritus of St. Brendan's in Midwood. He had a passion for teaching, was a wonderful man and priest, had a beautiful singing and speaking voice and sparkling sense of humor. All these things are true. He was all of that and much more. But I write from a purely personal perspective. One that started when I was nine years old.

I grew up in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, in St. Joseph’s parish, Pacific and Dean Sts. Most of the priests and nuns were rather intimidating and religion was something you memorized from the Baltimore Catechism, not something you felt and believed in. That is until Father McMahon arrived and was “in residence” at St. Joseph’s. He was teaching during the week at Cathedral Prep when it was located on Atlantic Ave. but on the weekends he heard confessions and said Mass. There have been a handful of priests in my experience that know how to give a good sermon. He was the best. I came away with an understanding of what it means to be a good Catholic. How each epistle and Gospel reading was really meant for me, to bring religion to life.

I came to form a very special relationship with God thanks to Father McMahon and even considered entering the Sisters of St. Joseph. My teenage years quickly pushed that to the back of my mind and when I entered young adulthood and moved away from home, I left religion behind. I married outside the faith and it no longer mattered to me if I practiced at all.

Twenty years flew by and for a variety of reasons, I once again sought out my religion. But where to go, where to attend? I was now living in Midwood and decided to try St. Brendan’s because my family had gone there in the 1940s and ’50s. To my delight, Msgr. McMahon had recently been named pastor and I felt as if I had come home. In short order, I joined the choir under Glenn Mohr. But Msgr. McMahon decided I would also make an excellent lector and eventually had me writing the Prayer of the Faithful.

He always believed you should use the gifts God gave you. Lectors were required to practice the week before their assigned Mass. The seasoned veterans came to critique the newer readers and offer support and help. After practice, Msgr. McMahon would give us the story behind the readings from historical footnotes to spiritual insights. I consider myself so blessed to have known and worked with him.

I know if he had not been at St. Brendan’s when I returned to the fold, I might not have stayed and renewed my faith. For me, he was instrumental in the formation of my faith and the renewal of it as an adult. This is just one person’s story, but there are so many more. He has touched and changed so many lives from a classroom setting to the pulpit. I know God welcomed him with open arms when he arrived at the pearly gates. I hope he will continue to guide and help us all in the years to come.

Marianne Einhorn
Midwood

Dear Editor: I was saddened to learn that my former pastor, Msgr. James McMahon passed away recently.

As The Tablet indicates, Msgr. McMahon was a priest of many accomplishments — a fine pastor, a scholar, a teacher, and a writer.

However, what I remember most was his kindness and gentleness when he paid a visit to my late wife, Joan, who was quite ill.

It is small wonder that he holds a special place in our memories.

John Curran
Brooklyn

Recall ‘Dark Day’ in America

Dear Editor: You have no idea how happy you made me when you printed (Nov. 17) “Recalling How The Tablet Covered A Dark Day in America” — mentioning in particular the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Because it is very important to me that he (J.F.K.) is never forgotten.

I recall how I felt that day — shocked and heartbroken and angry. I’ll never forget how safe he made us all feel during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He used great judgment to keep us safe. Let us never forget how brave he was when he rescued his men from the P.T. 109 boat that sank and how he, though he had terrible back pain, carried men through miles of water to an island for safety and then wrote a note on a coconut to let anyone who found it know that the men from P.T. 109 were alive and waiting to be rescued. And rescued they were. He returned home to take up the place that his brother Joseph was to have if he had not been killed in WWII — and that place was to be President of the U.S.

And he did this — even though he was still very young because he had big dreams for this country. He won the vote by a large amount and became our first Catholic and youngest president (not an easy job), and continued to work very hard for the good of our country to the end of his life. I still miss him and tell my grandchildren about him and promise to keep his memory alive. So he did not die in vain. And those who killed him will pay in the end — I know God is just. Please keep his memory alive and may we work to become the country he wanted us to be. Free, just and tolerant and proud.

Therese Cipolla
Brooklyn

Dear Editor: Nov. 22, 1963 was a date of contrasting events for me. I was 21 years of age and a graduate history student in the master’s program at Hunter College - City University of New York. My political science professor had assigned me a term paper topic on “Tito — Astute Dictator of Yugoslavia”. I was at the offices of Radio Free Europe in Manhattan, researching the latest articles on his long reign.

Suddenly, the radio announced the tragic events taking place in Dallas, TX. Activity came to a total stop at Radio Free Europe and all gathered in front of the TV set in a state of shock.

Soon discussion centered on the many dictatorial Communist regimes behind the Iron Curtain of Eastern Europe. Each student contrasted the American Democratic system with the frightful dictatorships of Eastern Europe. Two students had escaped from Communist Hungary during the failed Revolution of 1956 and were doing research on the imprisonment of Cardinal Midzenty in Budapest. We certainly are fortunate to be living in an open free society for our entire lifetime.

Today, 11/18/07, I am retired and have relocated from Middle Village, Queens, to Florida. I am now a parishioner at St. Edward’ s Church for several decades and a memorial plaque marks the exact pew used by JFK.

God Bless America.

William R. Gray
Palm Beach, Fla.

Immigration Reform Needed

Dear Editor: Your editorial (Nov. 11) “A Dream Diverted” is a brave and inspiring re-statement of Catholic social justice at its best.

You have correctly described “as extremely disappointing” the failure of the U.S. Senate to vote on the development Relief and Education for Aliens Minor Act (the Dream Act). The proposed act would have given children brought into the United States illegally by their parents at least five years ago the possibility to legalize their status while serving the military or attending colleges at in-state tuition rates.

In your own words: “For the government to demonize them and set them up as potential targets of INS agents is shortsighted and dishonest.”

The bill failed to reach the floor of the senate by eight votes. If President Bush was serious about immigration reform he could have chosen to invest his dwindling political capital in convincing eight senators to change their votes. You were absolutely correct in reminding your readers of the moral dimensions of immigration reform.

As the grandson of Sicilian immigrants, I am keenly aware that 100 years ago the migrants were us.

Joseph F. Seminara
Bay Ridge

Endorsing Pat Robertson

Dear Editor: Michael Mullaney’s letter says he is disgusted with Pat Robertson for supporting Rudolph Giuliani for president because Rudy supported Mario Cuomo for Governor, who was pro-abortion.

Under the Giuliani administration, abortion rates dropped in New York while adoptions rose. Giuliani is personally against abortion and promises to install Supreme Court justices who are anti-abortion.

Mr. Robertson certainly knows what he is doing.

Sammy Sanseverino
Williamsburg

Letting Our Lights Shine

Dear Editor: Evangelization is everyone’s job. Years ago, Catholics did this by their actions rather than words. Sunday Massgoers dressed appropriately to be in the presence of God. Priests, nuns and brothers were proud to distinguish themselves by their religious attire. Girls wore Miraculous Medals. Cars had St. Christopher medals. It was fish on Friday and a tip of the hat or Sign of the Cross when walking past a church. Women prayed the Rosary on the way to work. Non-Catholics came to Mass and wondered at the silence before, during, and after.

In the street activity and conversation would stop as the priest passed by carrying Holy Communion to a sick person. All would stand facing the church when the Angelus bell would ring in Rockaway.

Catholics did these things not to follow the letter of the law but to follow the spirit of the law. We shouldn’t hide our light under a bushel but upon a candlestick that it may shine to all.

Joseph T. Klonowski
Middle Village