Our Families, Our Faith

Before he was introduced to the women at the Athenaeum’s LIVE the FAITH Ladies Luncheon at the Western Hills Country Club on April 19th, Father Alex McCullough had already won the crowd over. His reputation seemed to precede the parochial vicar of Saint Ignatius Loyola parish, as recounted by many of the luncheon attendees who are his parishioners.

Peggy James, one of the organizers of the event, said, “It’s exciting for us to see such vibrant and young priests.” Alice Daniel from Saint Ignatius added, “What impresses me is what they’re turning out from the Seminary.”

Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary is full with 75 men in formation and plans are being discussed for a possible expansion to accommodate more students. Commenting on the Seminary’s increased enrollment in recent years, the rector, Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, said, “All of the prayers that you have offered over the years, God is answering. It’s because of your good work – the sharing of your time, talent and treasure – that we are at capacity today.”

Father Alex completed his formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and was ordained in May 2016. He spoke to the 129 women present about how they could actively live the faith in their daily lives. He stressed two things, drawing from the experiences of his own upbringing. First, the importance of devotion – praying, especially the Rosary – and second, that one’s focus should always be on the next life. Developing our interior life and our Christianity are important so that we can model these ideals for our children and for those who seek our spiritual guidance. “I’m here to support you in your vocations of being spouses, mothers and grandmothers and your vocation to bring holiness, to bring the message of the gospel into the world,” said Father Alex.

Ginny O’Connor, from Our Lady of Victory parish, said of Father Alex’s talk, “He made us all feel human, like we were good people who prayed hard.” Mary Bollin was asked what she would take home from Father Alex’s message. She replied, “I liked what he said because it was about family and every woman in the universe can identify with that. I’m going to go home and thank God for the gift of family and realize how blessed I am.”

Many thanks to all the people who made the Western Hills Ladies Luncheon so successful!
Special thanks to Peggy James, Barbara Jansen, Robey Klare, Mary Schatzman and Sue Schwarz. 

Click the following link to view a photo gallery from the 2017 Western Hills ladies luncheon http://www.mtsm.org/PhotoGalleries/PhotoGallery52.aspx

Photo Credit: LIVE the FAITH Ladies Luncheon at the Western Hills Country Club photos courtesy of Julie Noeth / Julie Walling Photography.  Text Credit: Colleen Kammer.