Pomp and Patriotism

Your Center City Correspondent spent the weekend either at the pool, or watching the sporting events on TV, or at church. Between the Phillies, the British Open and the Tour de France, there was enough sports for everybody. Let’s hope the Phillies start playing better than they have so that we have a pennant race this fall. The British Open was won by an unknown (and unpronounceable) name, but St. Andrews is always a treat to see. And the Tour de France is heating up, with the riders traveling over the Pyrenees and into the last week of the race where it finishes in Paris next Sunday.


Mrs. CCC and I were invited to attend the installation of our new pastor at the Cathedral on Saturday evening. This is a highly ritualized ceremony that takes place in the middle of Mass. Cardinal Rigali celebrates the Mass and performs the installation. I can imagine that it is quite a burden on the new pastor, Msgr. Rogers; not only is he responsible for our immortal souls, he is also the caretaker of the Cathedral building which requires a lot of work and attention. God bless him. Afterwards we attended a reception held at the Rooftop ballroom of the Sheraton across the street from the Cathedral and of course, our crew closed the place down.

So what happened to our old pastor, you ask? He got transferred to St. Matthias parish in Bala Cynwyd, and we were invited to that installation also, on Sunday afternoon. Because of his new role, as both pastor of the parish and Vicar of Montgomery County, dozens of priests from all over Montco also attended this installation. More pomp and ceremony, a lot of it similar to the night before, but different enough to keep it interesting. This was followed by another reception, and I had the opportunity to say hello to Cardinal Rigali. I’ve been in his company a few times, but this is the first I actually said hello. He’s a nice enough guy, but kinda intimidating – he’s one step below the Pope, ya know, who is only one step below God! So you don’t mess around when you’re talking to him.

Afterwards, we adjourned to the local for some refreshments and food, then home to watch the Phils drop another one to the Cubs. I hope all the fans who made the trek to Chicago this weekend enjoyed themselves despite the outcome of the games. Chicago is a great town with plenty of things to do.

A note about two young men who serve our country and community. Kevin Livewell, the brother of a friend of mine, is a Philadelphia cop who was shot in the leg on Thursday night. I wish him well, and hope that he’s back on his feet quickly. Like I told my buddy, Kevin must have gotten the looks in the family. Another young man, Nick Lumi, a lieutenant in the US Navy is being deployed overseas to a combat zone this week. He’s my cousin’s boy, and I know that he has made his mother and father very proud and now apprehensive. I wish Nick well and am confident that he will return home safe and sound to his wife and family. God bless both these men.

All for now. Enjoy your week.