'A profound effect'

I met Father Mario in 2000 when he was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Bethesda, MD. A mutual friend John Kiyonaga introduced us one evening while they were having dinner. Over the next year or so, I saw Father Mario a few times, on social occasions. But it was at Noon Mass on Sept. 14, 2001, that I got to know the real Father Mario.
 
This was first public Mass following the attack on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon and Shanksville. Our Lady of Lourdes church was jammed packed with more than 500 in the church and many more persons standing at the doorway and steps. Everyone was still in shock from the events of 9/11 and the fact that our country had been attacked.

Father Mario is said to have a strong Spanish accent. But on this day, Father Mario’s Mass and his homily were so moving, that so many in attendance heard only a comforting and eloquent delivery, without any accent detected. Father Mario gave a feeling of hope and a secure feeling that the tragedy which shook the soul of everyone, would give us the strength to overcome the attack. He led us in prayer for the souls of the more than 3,000 persons who were killed, and I know that so many of the persons who came to that Mass, will always remember Father Mario that day.

Over the last 20 years I have been a witness to all the wonderful occasions where Father Mario has had a profound effect on the people he touched. He has been the head of the Spanish Catholic Center in Washington reaching out to better the lives of so many immigrants who have come to Washington to seek a better life. His work at the various parishes he served and work with Catholic Charities led to Pope Francis appointing him as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington.

His works led to his being the named the Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration.

While I am happy that he has been selected to be the Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, I will miss our quarterly Irish dinners we have enjoyed for the past 15 years. I look forward to visiting Houma-Thibodaux and trying some of the local Cajun dishes with my old friend Bishop Mario.

(J. Paul McNamara is the chairman of Potomac Capital Advisors in Bethesda, MD.)