“Twas a favorable wind that blew me here.”
Echoing the words of Irish poet Seamus Heaney, Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan struck a lyrical, emotional tone this afternoon during the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating his episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Camden.
“He says best what I feel, and what is in my heart, as I conclude my ministry as the eighth Bishop of Camden,” Bishop Sullivan said in front of hundreds of brother priests, seminarians, religious women and men, relatives, colleagues, diocesan staff, lay faithful and more.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Sullivan
The Mass, celebrated at Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood, was livestreamed on all diocesan media. Among those to concelebrate the Mass were Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams, and Father Robert Hughes, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.
The joyful celebration came on the eve of Bishop Sullivan’s 80th birthday, 54 years after his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of New York; 21 years after becoming an Auxiliary Bishop there; and 12 years after becoming Bishop of the Diocese of Camden.
“My ministry as Bishop of Camden began right here in Lent 2013,” Bishop Sullivan recalled, “on the eve of Ash Wednesday, and it concludes with this second Sunday of Lent … a full circle.”
Referencing the day’s Gospel reading when the apostles Peter, James and John encountered Jesus’ glory on the mountaintop in the Transfiguration, Bishop Sullivan noted that he has “witnessed God’s glory and been in God’s presence” in the work of faithful priests, diocesan staff, religious and laity, while “on the roads of South Jersey, through each of our six counties of the Diocese.”
Bishop Sullivan expressed gratitude for this “community of pilgrims whose witness to our faith shines the light of the Gospel through South Jersey … that makes the Kingdom come … that contributes to the transformation of the terrible darkness that can envelop our world.”
“My prayer and hope is that through my episcopal ministry, many have experienced the glory of God as I have.”
“My hope is that my ministry as the Bishop of Camden for these past 12 years has drawn people to the love of God, and to Jesus Christ, whose love was displayed on the Cross and in the Resurrection.”
During the Mass, a special remembrance video for Bishop Sullivan was played, with priests, deacons, catechists and lay faithful of the Diocese of Camden recalling not only his impact as “a consistent champion of the people of the Diocese of Camden,” but “a true friend.”
As well, Bishop Sullivan called to the order of priesthood the Rev. Mr. Timothy Mulranen and the Rev. Mr. Thomas Piro. They are set to be ordained to the priesthood on May 17.
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