Finding spaces of unexpected grace
When the apostolic nuncio, His Eminence Christophe Pierre, called to inform me that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, had appointed me to be the bishop of Portland, Maine, I was shocked. Totally not expecting this call, once I hung up the phone, I had to prepare myself to celebrate Holy Mass in less than three minutes. The cardinal had been most gracious and agreed to talk later, as we both were rushing to different commitments. It was so difficult to concentrate while celebrating the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s, for I felt almost as if I were dreaming about the conversation I had with Cardinal Pierre.
After we spoke again the following morning, the reality of this appointment began to settle into my now turned-upside-down world. Prior to speaking with Cardinal Pierre to confirm my acceptance of the appointment, I did some research about the Diocese of Portland. As a native of the Diocese of Providence and a very typical Rhode Islander, I could count the number of times that I visited Maine probably on one hand with the addition of two other fingers. My research revealed that the state of Maine was 29.5 times the size of Rhode Island! For a typical Rhode Islander, traveling more than 30 minutes might seem a little far. Therefore, when I realized the size differential, I knew that I would be in for some future, long-distance traveling adventures, indeed.
My brief research also revealed that the population of the state of Maine was approximately 350,000 greater than that of Rhode Island. So, considering the geographic size differential and the population differential, I concluded that the 1,350,000 people of Maine had a lot of space. In that space, I knew that I would find the beauty of God’s creative hand. So far, in my brief travels, that is what I have discovered.
I have also experienced Maine's natural beauty through the kindness of its people, who have welcomed me warmly with cards, spiritual bouquets, and gifts like local honey and maple syrup. While many locals, aware of my Italian heritage, have offered to share with me Italian cuisine, they are often surprised to learn that I follow a vegan diet. Despite their possible initial perplexity and curiosity, they remain ever so gracious as I assure people that I have many food options, even many Italian options.
In some of my initial conversations, I have shared with Mainers a little about my 90-year-old mother, who has been a significant influence on my life and faith. Mainers have a soft place in their hearts when discovering that I still have the blessing of having my mother here on earth with me. I tell my mother that I take some delight in sharing her age with people. Sometimes she is fine with that disclosure; sometimes she will say, “Why do you tell people my age?!” Overall, she’s fine with me sharing that little piece of personal information about her. I am so grateful for her and for my father, now deceased, who were my first teachers.
My parents were key people in my vocational discernment. I date the beginning of my priestly vocational awareness to altar serving. I began to be conscious of a call to priesthood when I started to serve Mass at age eight. If my mother and father hadn’t signed me up to be a server at my home parish of Holy Angels in Barrington, Rhode Island, and hadn’t brought me to training classes and Masses thereafter, it’s possible that I might not have been able to hear the call to priesthood at an early age.
Reflecting on the phone call from Cardinal Pierre that changed my life, I now find myself adapting to my new home. I have a Maine driver's license, am registered to vote in Maine and have learned local references like "The County." I am grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to serving as your bishop. Driving two hours doesn’t seem so long now. People are very kind and welcoming. I am happy and adjusting to my new home and my new local Church. I am looking forward to serving you as your bishop. I am grateful.
