Comments on: Remembering Tom Flatley

By: Vincent Sherlock

Vincent Sherlock — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:04:47 +0000

Cardinal Seán, Glad to read your blog again this week and see that so much good is being done by so many. As a priest of the Diocese of Achonry, Mr. Flatley’s diocese of origin, I would like to offer our sympathy to his wife and family in these days of loss and search. May they cherish the memories of Tom as husband and father and find God’s consoling words in their search for peace and hope. I am a Sligo man, but don’t begrudge Mayo its mention and especially the naming of the truth of its Religious landmarks in the towering stength of Croagh Patrick and the gentle silence of Knock. “Though your message was unspoken, still the truth in silence lies, so we gaze upon your vision and the truth we try to find ….” (Lady of Knock) May Tom rest in peace and may the rest of us seek always to live in and by peace. God bless you all.

By: Dan Flatley

Dan Flatley — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:32:44 +0000

Your Eminence:
I want to wish you and the rest of the good folks of the Archdiocese best wishes as you move into your new offices in Braintree. I dropped by this morning (Thursday, July 3) to see how well the move was going and I had a chance to speak with Kevin Kiley and Father Kickham. Everybody seems thrilled. I can’t help but feel so sad that my father did not live to see his beloved Archdiocese see a bright brand new day. The smiles on the faces of every employee Kevin introduced me to were wonderful to see. Someone sent my the text of the remarks delivered recently by Cardinal Avery Dulles at his final McGinley Lecture and I could not help but reflect on my father. Cardinal Dulles did not bemoan his suffering; he embraced it as a true follower of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are indeed fortunate to have such good men within the Church. Again, Your Eminence, let me thank for your support and leadership. May God continue to bless you.
Dan Flatley

By: Pamela Ruigh

Pamela Ruigh — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:00:22 +0000

What a wonderful blog and website! Our paths have crossed in many ways. I taught English to immigrants in Washington, DC from the late 70s to 2004. I remember watching you on TV when you went to Boston to help with the problems there. You seem to be a man truly with his inner and outer matching. Maybe you can let me discuss something weighing on my heart. I am 67 and a new Catholic. I was an Anglican but there is no Episcopal Church in the town to which I retired and the Catholic Church here is very nice. I attended RCIA for about a year and finally jumped into the Tiber and swam across. Unfortunately RCIA did not really prepare me for the recent actions of some bishops who excommunicate women who in following their call and conscience disobey Canon Law and become ordained illegally. I attended the illegal ordination of the Anglican women in the seventies and it was so life affirming and joyous. The edict of May 30 really cut me to the core of my being. I have no desire to be a priest but the fact that there is not even a dialogue with women about sharing the church structures with men and having a say on important issues is scary. Everything is all about men. Even the abuse was all about men and I think that this is why it occurred in the first place.
The feminine is not embraced and integrated here. Only in Mary is there any sense of the feminine and she is so pure and holy almost as to be unreachable.Then in the same period of time, a man was refused communion from a priest because he supported Obama. Did I make a mistake in becoming a Catholic? I have always admired the Catholic church because of its contemplative spirituality and service to the poor and marginal of society. I am really in pain because the blush of new conversion was kind of slapped away by all of this. I did not receive communion today because I wanted to feel what the Sister in St Louis who was “disciplined felt. I have almost left the church over this and I can hardly bring myself to pray. I have mentioned it to my priest but he can’t really say a whole lot. But I saw your website and it looked refreshing and not “right” or “left.”
I think RCIA needs to be more specific when dealing with “hot” issues especially with Anglicans. I had no idea how tough it would be to separate my spirituality from the “Laws” of the Church. I keep telling myself that the Trinity is above and beyond the institutional church. If I had known some of these things would happen I might have stayed a “high church” Anglican who believes in the Real Presence.
You know I love Latin and Gregorian Chant and the “bells and smells” of the Catholic Church and I care little about the other so called liberal issues. I am neither conservative nor liberal. If I were younger I might have been a nun or hermit. But having been an Anglican, RCIA did not prepare me well for issues of obedience and things that just could not be discussed or done. Please pray for me. I can’t even bring myself to go back to the Daily Office.
In Christ,
Pam

By: Sara-Jane

Sara-Jane — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:44:49 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
A week from today, 48 8th graders will graduate from St. Charles School in Woburn. As their homeroom and English teacher I am looking forward to that day! Before then, I would like to have the opportunity to read them the peom you said at Mr. Flatley’s funeral. It is wonderful to read at the end of someone’s like, but more importantly, to read it at the beginning.

Thanks, also, for the blog. It always amazes me how much you do in the course of one week! I love reading about all the places you go and the people you see.

God Bless You,
Sara-Jane Griffin

By: buffy

buffy — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:41:39 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
I didn’t know how else to reach you and I didn’t want to wait until September to share this with you. On December 2nd, at the Bicentennial opening Mass, I had asked if you would give my niece Jordan a blessing, which you did. My niece Jordan had her first biopsy done, since that blessing, on May15th. We have just received the results and for the first time, in 9 years, everything was fine. I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Jordan. I hope your summer is the best. I know my family will now enjoy theirs. Thank you again, Buffy

By: Dan Flatley

Dan Flatley — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:20:00 +0000

To Your Eminence and to so many others:
I would like to express the depth of my gratitude to you, Your Eminence, and to Father Kickham, for your support at the time of my father’s death and during the difficult days since he passed on. We have a great team leading the Archdiocese. The words of support my family has received from so many people, in letters, cards, e-mails, phone calls, etc., have been extraordinarily comforting. This has restored my faith in the good people of the Greater Boston area – most of those who responded to your blog and to the articles in the Boston Globe or the Quincy Patriot Ledger were from people I did not even know.
My father carried his cross with heroic dignity; he never complained, though he lived as a virtual prisoner in his own body. ALS is a ruthless and relentless killer. I was proud to have served him through his illness. He will be missed. I will think each and every day on his Christian witness. Suffering is a part of one’s life as a Christian. I believe it brought him even closer to his Master, though it wounded each of us to our very souls as his children to witness his suffering. I can have no doubt whatsoever now in the mercy of God. My father and now his brother are together, young and healthy, in a better place, beyond pain and suffering.
May they rest in peace.
Dan Flatley

By: John

John — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:43:43 +0000

Hello,

My name is John and I attend St. Paul’s School in Hingham I just wanted to say that your blog has been very inspiring to me for the past several months and this weeks blog I like especially because I like how you mentioned Tom Flatley,and how you honored him by saying some of his goals and dreams (which were to get to heaven).My school year is ending on June 11 and I was wondering if before school ends if you would come and visit my class. This wouls be greatly appreciated.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:25:29 +0000

Hello, I am a 7th grade student from St. Paul’s school. It seams as though this week’s blog was once again packed with events. Tom Flatley seamed like an incredible person and a true follower of Christ. I am very glad that there was a nice funeral in honor of him and I will keep him in my prayers. Also, Cardinal Sean, I, along with many others from St.Paul’s school would really appreciate it if you could stop by at or school in Hingham.
Thank you for another great blog!

From,
Hugh

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:21:10 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
My name is Johnny and I attend St. Paul’s School in Hingham, Massachusetts. What another great blog! This was one of the best blogs I have read. I enjoyed ever part of this week’s blog but the part I enjoyed most was the part about you getting to do the honors for the Mass for Tom Flatley. It sounds like he was a great person and I am sure that God will take care of him well. I hope that the family realizes that he is now in a better place with God. I will try to keep him and his family in my prayers. Hopefully you will be able to make it to the South Shore this year or maybe even next year. Hope to see another great blog from you again next week.

By: Caroline K.

Caroline K. — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:31:48 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
My name is Caroline K. from St. Paul School in Hingham, Ma. I always enjoy reading your blog! I am sorry to hear about the death of Tom Flatley. As we finish out the year, my seventh grade class always looks forward to reading your blog. We would all appreciate a visit from you before our summer vacation.
~~~Caroline K.~~~

By: Megan

*Megan* — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:28:56 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
I am so sorry to hear that Tom went home to God. I can’t believe he sufferd from Lou Gehrig’s disease for two years! Your homily was truly touching and I bet Tom would thank you for it if he was still here. The “Falling in Love with God” was very beautiful and I can just imagine how dedicated to God Tom was. Maybe we, young Catholics, can use him as an example.
Thank you for another great blog and next time you are in Hingham Massachusetts, stop by St. Paul School!
~Megan

By: Caroline J

Caroline J — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:13:12 +0000

Cardinal Sean,
Another wonderful blog. I ecspecially liked the section on the Boston College Graduates. I am sure that they loved having you their on their special day.
Also, my condolences to the families of Tom Flatley and Sister Catherin Mulkerrin.
God Bless,
-Caroline J. Sullivan
St. Paul School

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:00:14 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

You always seem to deliver an amazing blog each week! It was sad to see, that man name Tom, that that man went home to God. He seemed like he was a very, very good man and catholic. But we should not be sad, because for one, he has help many people and done many things for God and now he gets to see his father up in heaven! I will pray for his wife Charlotte and all his family in school and at home. Thank you for the blog Cardinal! The seventh graders at St. Paul School would also like to invite you to come to our school one day for a visit! We hope you have time in your very busy schedule to come a visit us! Thank you again Cardinal!

~ Elizabeth ~

P.S. I will pray for those men being ordained tomorrow! I wish them good luck!

By: Brother Richard, C.F.X.

Brother Richard, C.F.X. — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:59:01 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

How delighted we are that our students have been writing to you on your blog. Certainly, you have answered the question of so many young people, “What does the Cardinal do all day?”

I have to commend St. Catherine Loughlan, C.S.J., Grade 7 teacher, who has provided the inspiration to her class to read your blog. They are also enrolled in the Notre Dame Virtual School sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We have been using technology to further our understanding of the Chruch and obtain greater knowledge of God’s wonderful world!

We look forward to having you visit with all our students from PreK to Grade 8 when your schedule may allow!

God Bless You (GBY),

Brother Richard, C.F.X.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:58:42 +0000

I enjoyed reading about the graduation ceremony at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. The pictures of the Seminary looked beautiful. I would love to be able see the Seminary in person. The pictures and information about the ceremony also seemed very enjoyable! The pictures were great to look at, but my favorite one was the last one with the the two children, and the baby. I can’t wait for next week’s blog!

~Hannah from St.Paul School

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:39:23 +0000

Hi my name is Kevin and I attend St. Paul School in Hingham. I enjoy reading your blog every week. This time what really got my attention was the Tribute to Tom Flatley, I thought it was great you got to do the funeral mass for such a good person. Also my class at St. Paul School in Hingham and we were wondering if you were on the South Shore that you could come visit us. We get out of school June 11. Keep up the good work with the blogs.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:24:07 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
I enjoyed reading this blog very much. I enjoyed reading this blog because it is interesting to learn about new activities going on in the church. The best part was about Tom Flatley. He is a real example of how to pick up your cross. I believe he is in heaven with God, Jesus, Mary, and all his family who has gone before him. He is a real life role model who young people and adults can look up to. I am going to pray for his family, but someday they will see him again in heaven. Thank you for this amazing blog!
~Kelly

By: K.E.M.

K.E.M. — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:43:47 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
I am very sorry for the passing of Tom Flatley. The Mass at the Franco-American school looked beautiful. I am a student at St. Paul School in Hingham, MA and we would love for you to visit us.
God Bless!
~~KATE~~

By: Clara

Clara — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:06:10 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
My name is Clara K. and I am a student from St. Paul’s School. I love reading your blog every Tuesday, because it is always full of great information about your week, people you met, masses you have celebrated, and like always you manage to slip a little humor in there. Anyways, I loved reading about Tom Flatley. I only heard of him once before, but you gave a little mini biography on him and it felt like I knew him for a long time!! Your homily was fantastic and I am sure Tom Flatley would of love it! Once again thank you for another great blog, and I hope you will continue with it!!
~Clara K.~
St. Paul Student

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:40:25 +0000

I enjoyed looking, and reading about the grotto in Lowell, because it was beautiful. There is one at the University of Notre Dame, and it looks like it. I enjoyed this blog, can’t wait for next week’s!

-Christine
(A student at St. Paul School)

By: ~Colby

~Colby — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:14:45 +0000

When I read about the death of Tom Flatley I felt sad but also happy in a way because he was such a great example of how to live a great Catholic life. I am sure that he went straight up to heaven and is looking down right this second! I am sorry for his loss and will pray for his family and loved ones. I am also sure that he would feel very honored to have had such a beautiful homily. I can’t wait until your next post!

By: Michael Gaffney

Michael Gaffney — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:12:12 +0000

I found your blog on remembering Tom Flatley very interesting and inspiring. Tom seemed to be a very good man and did a lot of good things for the Archdiocese of Boston. I particularly liked your reference to about how to live according to St. Ignatius. This past year at BC High I have learned alot about St. Ignatius and other Jesuit Priests and it is good to learn more about a man who has lived by those ideals. Thanks. I enjoy reading your blog.

Sincerely,
Michael Gaffney
BC High Class of 2011

By: Marissa

Marissa — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:37:47 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

My name is Marissa and I attend the school of Saint Paul in Hingham, Massachusetts. Once again, I have read a very well written blog this week. I just have one question, how do you do it. From reading the blog it seems like you have many things to do and many places to go. Well, I cannot wait to read your next blog. Hope to see you soon!

~Marissa~

P.S. I will keep the seven men in my prayers who will be ordained tomorrow at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

By: Gabriella (a student from St. Paul School)

Gabriella (a student from St. Paul School) — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:22:53 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
It was so sad to read about the death of Tom Flatley and I’m sorry for this loss. He seemed like a great individual, but we must remember that he is in a better place now. The homily that you said at his funeral was beautiful from what you wrote. He would probaly be very honored that you shared his wonderful service and love of God with others by putting it in your blog. I will pray for his family and friends mourning his death. This was an excellent blog and I can’t wait until the next one!

By: FR. Tony Conlan

FR. Tony Conlan — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:12:42 +0000

Thank you Cardinal Sean for an inspiring Homily at Mr Flatleys Funeral. For your information Mayo is basking in glorious sunshine at this time of the year and the view across Clew Bay from the top is breathtaking. You should come visit and climb the mountaiin Your Eminence?
I will remember you in my daily prayers and ask God’s blessing you the great work you do and do many others in your wonderful diocese.
‘Baile Dhia ar on Obair’
For those not familiar with the Irish Language that means The Blessing of God on your work.
Respectfully.
Fr. Tony Conlan.
Ireland

By: Peter Vo Xuan Tien

Peter Vo Xuan Tien — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:02:39 +0000

Your Eminence,

I am very glad to know you thanks to your blog. I would like to introduce myself to you : My name is Peter Vo Xuan Tien, a Vietnamese priest and sulpician candidate. I study now at the Catholic Institut of Paris. I will come back to Viet Nam in a year.

It is interesting for me to know that very modern is a Cardinal is who express himself through a blog. Internet becomes a good friend if well used !

Thanks to your blog, I have just created a blog (http://xuanbichvietnam.wordpress.com/). xuanbichvietnam means Vietnamese Sulpicians. Please drop around in our blog to give us your blessing. It will be our joy ! Thank You.

By: DEE

DEE — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:19:38 +0000

Could there ever be a time when we could celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi big time?????Tonight saw on TV this celebration in Kansas City MO. It was just glorious and so spiritual. Music was super.
Maybe celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi in places like Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium?

Some parishes do celebrate this Feast in the Boston Archdiocese.
Can remember moons ago in my little town that we had big parades from all Catholic Churches in this area. Lots of kids in the parade all dressed in their little white dresses for girlls and suits for boys….Just wonderful….

By: Caroline

***Caroline*** — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:36:06 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

My name is Caroline and I attend Saint Paul School in Hingham. You’ve managed to pull off another great blog this week. But what really caught my eye was the Mass at the Franco- American School. It looked so pretty! That was an amazing replica of the shrine in Lourdes, France! What a beautiful sight! If you are ever in the South Shore please come and vist us we would love to meet you! Our last day of school is June 11. If not this year maybe next year! We will be the graduating class of 2009 at our school! Thank you for posting your blog weekly!

***Caroline***

By: Frances Florencourt

Frances Florencourt — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:14:29 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
Your website and weekly blog bring you closer to us all. I hope it continues to grow and that the audience grows with it.
Your homily for Tom Flatley was spiritually enriching and I was especially moved by Fr. Arrupe.s poem “Falling in Love with God”.
I will look forward to these each week.
Thank you.

Frances Florencourt

By: Maria Teresa Frias

Maria Teresa Frias — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Querido Padre Sean: How happy we are every time we are gather at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offering ourselves to God united in prayer and today, thanks to BCTV and Father Robert Reed, we were with all of you praying and thanking God for all of our priests and especially your newly ordained priests in Boston!
Today, as every priest received the Chalice and Paten, you said: “Receive the oblation of the holy people of God to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.” On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we thank God for giving us holy priests so we could have that living Bread that is all source of Life, Holiness and love for us. We thank God also for giving us to His Church the holy life of your friend Tom Flatley. We love you always Padre Sean.

By: Virginia Wells

Virginia Wells — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:20:45 +0000

We have certainly lost a wonderful human being this past week. Thomas Flatley did so much for so many and will be sorely missed.

Also, this week, we have learned the devastating news about Senator Ted Kennedy, a man, who, according to Senator John Kerry and so many others, has helped millions of people all over the world, not only in his own state of Massachusetts. The picture of Senator Robert Byrd sobbing was so indicative of the esteem in which Senator Kennedy is held.

I hope that you will offer prayers for Senator Kennedy and his family. Thank you.

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:24:30 +0000

How very blessed the Flatley family were to have a homily such as that spoken. And, from the praise and easy humor that peppered your remarks, how blessed you were to have know him. Peace to his family, and to you on your shared loss.
Also, as we pray for conversions, may we pray for the conversion of Ted Kennedy. With personal and family mortality no longer a political flag to wave at re-election time, but a shattering reality for the man – how grand a statement for his soul if he recanted some of his positions as morally wrong.

By: Chris G

Chris G — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:26:32 +0000

nice work and wonderful comments Cardinal Sean!

Chris

By: DEE

DEE — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:38:52 +0000

MR. FLATLEY WAS A GREAT IRISHMAN FROM COUNTY MAYO, WHO IMMIGRATED TO THE U.S. WITH THIRTY TWO DOLLARS IN HIS POCKET. GOD WAS ON HIS SIDE. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

By: DEE

DEE — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:36:37 +0000

HOW WELL I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THE FRANCO-AMERICAN SCHOOL, WHICH YEARS AGO WAS AN ORPHANGE.
TWO OF MY FRIENDS, BROTHERS, NOW DECEASED, WENT TO THIS SCHOOL AND WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE AND IN THEIR CATHOLIC RELIGION. KUDOS TO THE SISTERS WHO TAUGHT AND CARED FOR THEM. THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT.

Comments on: Remembering Tom Flatley

By: Vincent Sherlock

By: Dan Flatley

By: Pamela Ruigh

By: Sara-Jane

By: buffy

By: Dan Flatley

By: John

By: Hugh

By: Johnny

By: Caroline K.

By: *Megan*

By: Caroline J

By: Elizabeth

By: Brother Richard, C.F.X.

By: Hannah

By: Kevin

By: Kelly

By: K.E.M.

By: Clara

By: Christine

By: ~Colby

By: Michael Gaffney

By: Marissa

By: Gabriella (a student from St. Paul School)

By: FR. Tony Conlan

By: Peter Vo Xuan Tien

By: DEE

By: ***Caroline***

By: Frances Florencourt

By: Maria Teresa Frias

By: Virginia Wells

By: Anne

By: Chris G

By: DEE

By: DEE

By: Megan

By: Caroline