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Jewels from the Emerald Isle
Monsignors McMahon, O’Grady reflect on a century of priestly ministry
By Gina Keating, news@catholicsun.org
June 19, 2008
Most local Catholics, equipped with even the most rudimentary knowledge of Arizona history, understand how integral the Irish were in establishing the vibrant faith-filled community that would begin the present-day Diocese of Phoenix.
Many foreign-born Irish priests and sisters, filled with the faith and a spirit of adventure, left behind their homeland, family and friends to bring the Word of God a world away to the American Southwest. Throughout their service to the people of God, they have become pillars of the community.
Two such men, beloved throughout the community, recently marked major milestones in their priestly lives: Monsignors John McMahon and Michael O’Grady, two old friends from Ireland with 110 years of combined ministry, celebrate 50 and 60 years, respectively, of service in the Lord.
The now-retired priests took some time to discuss the priesthood, their ministries in the Church, and even give some advice to the diocese’s newest priests. Msgr. O’Grady spoke to The Catholic Sun by phone as he packed to leave for Ireland for six months, and Msgr. McMahon in person at the Mount Claret Retreat Center before he left for Ireland to celebrate his ordination at his boyhood parish.
How did you find your way to Arizona?
Msgr. O’Grady: We went to the seminary from high school as free agents. Msgr. McMahon, who was in the class of ’48, use to come back and do propaganda work for the Diocese of Tucson. It was a marvelous presentation. He would show us slides — of Maine and Vermont. We never saw green fields. We teased him about it for years. We adjusted.
My first assignment was at St. Theresa. I was there six years and began learning the craft of how to be a priest. I learned it mainly from lay people. We had convert classes at the parish. We wouldn’t have had those in Ireland. In the village of 300 people, everybody was Catholic, except for one little old lady. She was Protestant, but she finally converted.
Msgr. McMahon: A letter came from Bishop [Daniel James] Gercke in Tucson asking the president [of St. Patrick Seminary] to promote Tucson and consider having priests come. I never heard of Arizona before. A good friend of mine was going to San Diego. I looked at the U.S. in a map book and Tucson and San Diego looked next to each other. I didn’t realize they were 400 miles apart.
I knocked on the door of the monsignor and said, “I’d like to sign up for Tucson, Arizona.” He looked at me and said, “Alright, mister, you can leave now.” My parents had no idea what I was doing.
How would you describe priestly life?
Msgr. O’Grady: I just feel it’s a marvelous privilege, especially in the lives of the people. They have hurting places, joyful places, trusting places — it’s a unique relationship that I cherish. It’s wonderful; you learn it and mature in it. Ministry is a two-way street. I learn from them as much as they learn from me. I see their struggles, faithfulness; hanging in there and how difficult parenting is. I’m giving them hope.
Msgr. McMahon: To begin with, I was close to the priests and to my native parish when I was growing up. I admired them and the thought of becoming a priest someday began to mature in my soul, and my parents gave me the opportunity of receiving an education that ultimately lead to seminary life and ordination. When I came to the United States and began pastoral work, I found people to be very faith-filled with a love and support of their parish church. It touched me. Their responsibility encouraged me to try to be a better priest.
Along the years, the faith of the people played a major role in sustaining me in my priesthood. As I grew older I had a deeper awareness of the gift that moved me to regularly give thanks to God for the call to priesthood. It’s important to encourage young men to pray and think about priesthood. You must be a catalyst for encouraging vocations. A priest is a man of God and a man of prayer because of the old saying, “you cannot give if you haven’t got.” You give and you see that it all works together for the good of God.
How does your idea of the priesthood differ today than it did when you were first ordained?
Msgr. O’Grady: How I see it? It’s more free-flowing. It’s Scripture and God’s love for me… and realizing all of a sudden you need to preach that — the love of God — to give people an awareness of the discovery I made of my own sacredness in the eyes of God. People are much better than they think they are and to affirm them in that.
During a retreat, I had this wonderful Jesuit spiritual director. He introduced me to Psalm 103. I began to see that it’s not about success, it’s about trusting in God’s love. It was a turning point in my life at that retreat in ’73. I get teased about it. I was at the parish and someone said, “Father has only three homilies, and two are Psalm 103.” I’m quite proud of that! When I came home from the retreat, I said we need to recall the Catholics, like Ford recalls the cars. It’s about God’s love. That discovery, it frees you. Go out and do the best you can.
Msgr. McMahon: The fundamental beliefs of our faith will never change, because they are of Jesus Christ. But the great challenge is how you take never-changing values and present them to make them relevant in a world that has changed. It is encouraging to me that despite all the obstacles that a change in a materialistic world presents, that our Catholic people remain strong in the faith with a commitment to the Church and its values.
What have you been doing since you retired a few years ago?
Msgr. O’Grady: I’ve been helping out in different parishes, St. Thomas More and St. Lewis the King, wherever I am needed. I have been giving parish missions in Arizona and California. I have a full schedule for this coming year, it’s lovely. The missions have been a gift to me. There’s no responsibility, I don’t have to turn on the lights. My hobby is golf, but I play so poorly it has become a burden. I love to read novels and walk. My niece, Roisin Meaney, lives in Limerick, Ireland. She wrote, “The People Next Door.” I do have to read her novels, but they’re good.
Msgr. McMahon: In retirement I have no official responsibilities, but I still am a priest and still love exercising my priesthood. I help as I can with the best work of Mount Claret when called on, with the Cursillo Movement about which I have a strong conviction. Being old now, I find many of my dear friends have a way of getting sick. I find it a privilege to visit the sick at home and in the hospitals. I find myself being gladly called on to bring comfort and the sacraments to the sick — and indeed the funeral Masses of old friends who have gone to God. I shed no tears when an old friend dies because they have, in my belief, reached the reward for the purpose of life; being with the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Mother for all of eternity.
What work have you been most proud of?
Msgr. O’Grady: I work with the handicapped. I wouldn’t call it work. I have given retreats for special education people for many years. You experience a love from those people that’s unique to them; their ability to embrace us as we are. It’s a great gift to me. They have been coming to my house for parties of hot dogs and to sing for years. I go up for my birthday to Sacred Heart Church every year. That is very precious to me. I have also enjoyed my work as a volunteer at Florence prison. I saw hopelessness, harshness and cruelty; it gives you appreciation.
Msgr. McMahon: When I look over the years of my lifespan it was one of my great loves to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and consecrate homes and families — to restore non-practicing Catholics to their faith. A great joy was having what we use to call inquiry classes, bringing people of no faith to the Church. I love to do that.
What are your fondest memories up till this point?
Msgr. O’Grady: Working with the handicapped and the impaired. Teaching, like the missions, and sharing the Scriptures.
Msgr. McMahon: It would be the fundamental goodness of the people, their hospitality and generosity to the Church and to the poor. A milestone in my memories was having the privilege of coordinating and organizing the different committees for the visit of Pope John Paul II [in 1987]. Under the stadium at ASU before the celebration of Holy Mass, John Paul II told me he was making me a monsignor. Of course, Bishop [Thomas J.] O’Brien had a little prompting in that. I was absolutely flabbergasted. I’ve been blessed with good bishops and an abundance of good priest friends who have a good sense of humor.
What have been the most challenging aspects of your ministry?
Msgr. O’Grady: In the beginning, to believe in my own ability. I was intimidated by it all for a while. I found that very hard. You wanted to live in the rectory where there’s good support. I woke up one day and said, “I think I did this OK.” You learn from the people that you don’t have to do this perfectly; it’s all about relationships.
Msgr. McMahon: The curse of all us humans is the challenge of our fallen human nature. To be a social encouragement who, for one reason or another, repeatedly gets into some kind of trouble. Of course, I’m always strengthened by the life and example of our great teacher, Jesus Christ.
What’s different about the Church today?
Msgr. O’Grady: The Church I dream of is all-embracing. There’s got to be room for everyone there. Not everyone fits into one straightjacket. Vatican II opened so many doors and windows, it did for me. When I think of stuff we learned from Vatican II, that’s what I love, seeing people of God. The people are the Church and we bring the reverence to them. My interpretation of the word “Catholic” is all embracing, opening, welcoming.
Msgr. McMahon: I was ordained and served many years of my priestly life in the pre-Vatican II years. I longed for the day when we could celebrate our liturgy in English. I remember well my first Mass in English in the women’s club in Payson. My hope was fulfilled.
What advice do you have for the recently ordained priests?
Msgr. O’Grady: Just to come with an attitude for learning from the people. They have to learn that for themselves. Just to see ministry as a sacred privilege. Don’t come with all the answers, and listen to the people. Enjoy it, don’t get too serious. It’s all God. He’s going to take care of the Church, in spite of us.
Msgr. McMahon: Keep growing in your love of priesthood. Love the Church and have good priest friends. They will sustain you and you will help sustain them.
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