+Gomez at USCCB: Msgr Bransfield has served the USCCB generously for 13 years. He has been General Secretary and other positions. Our heartfelt thanks.
Msgr. Bransfield:
A couple of years ago, my cell phone rang and it Fr. Steve Dougherty. He had been my pastor, a seminary professor, and was my friend.
#USCCB20
A couple of years ago, my cell phone rang and it Fr. Steve Dougherty. He had been my pastor, a seminary professor, and was my friend.
#USCCB20
Msgr. Bransfield:
I was late, and didn't know if I should answer, I didn't have time. Why did I answer?
"Hi Steve, how are you?"
"Brian, I'm dying."
My body stopped, my mind froze. The raw immediacy of those words struck hard.
#USCCB20
I was late, and didn't know if I should answer, I didn't have time. Why did I answer?
"Hi Steve, how are you?"
"Brian, I'm dying."
My body stopped, my mind froze. The raw immediacy of those words struck hard.
#USCCB20
Msgr. Bransfield:
Fr. Dougherty had cancer and was dying.
I met him when I was 7 years old. I remember he had cane, and to me his cane looked like a crozier. I asked my mother if he had been made a bishop. But he had actually been in a train accident.
#USCCB20
Fr. Dougherty had cancer and was dying.
I met him when I was 7 years old. I remember he had cane, and to me his cane looked like a crozier. I asked my mother if he had been made a bishop. But he had actually been in a train accident.
#USCCB20
Msgr. Bransfield:
The pain from that accident was profound. Some times all day he could do was lie in bed and hold the crucifix.
"The cross is no ordinary medicine."
After he died, I realized the crucifix he held was 4 feet by 3 feet. The pain was that bad.
#USCCB20
The pain from that accident was profound. Some times all day he could do was lie in bed and hold the crucifix.
"The cross is no ordinary medicine."
After he died, I realized the crucifix he held was 4 feet by 3 feet. The pain was that bad.
#USCCB20
Msgr. Bransfield:
Fr. Doughterty taught me that the cross is no ordinary medicine.
Sometimes healing looks a lot like chaos.
#USCCB20
Fr. Doughterty taught me that the cross is no ordinary medicine.
Sometimes healing looks a lot like chaos.
#USCCB20
"On the cross the Son of God guided us to the secret hidden depths within salvation history...when the almighty becomes powerless a new and overwhelming beauty is unleashed upon the earth."
"In the spiritual life we become what we endure."
Fr. Dougherty taught me that when he concelebrated my mother's funeral, and gave my father last rite.
"Steve taught me that suffering never cancels hope...that suffering can never revoke joy."
Fr. Dougherty taught me that when he concelebrated my mother's funeral, and gave my father last rite.
"Steve taught me that suffering never cancels hope...that suffering can never revoke joy."
The abiding task of GS is to see the bishops..and be with them: from a unique vantage point, I have seen your compassion.
"I have seen you, bishops, leaning only on Christ. And that leaning on Christ alone transforms trials into hope. Hope is the hallmark of the Christian"
"I have seen you, bishops, leaning only on Christ. And that leaning on Christ alone transforms trials into hope. Hope is the hallmark of the Christian"
I have seen your solemn and sacred determination to protect and guard the faithful.
You bishops can at first appear a little intimidating as a group, but over 13 years, I saw more than process and coordination, I see men with the heart of a parish priest.
You bishops can at first appear a little intimidating as a group, but over 13 years, I saw more than process and coordination, I see men with the heart of a parish priest.
I see men who answer calls they never expected to get.
I see men follow the direction of Our Lady: Do whatever he tells you.
You have taught me endurance, joy, and hope.
#USCCB20
I see men follow the direction of Our Lady: Do whatever he tells you.
You have taught me endurance, joy, and hope.
#USCCB20
I have worked with outstanding presidents, I have seen the zeal of +Pierre, I have worked with the National Advisory Council, National Review Board, the expert and sacrificing staff of the Conference, my colleagues at the Conference.
Now Msgr Burrill carries on the work of the General Secretary of the USCCB, "he's a very good priest with a dedicated heart."
Fr. Doughtery used to see "come into this house and bring all you are...a house of companionship and compassion."
"That's what you have taught me, bps."
Fr. Doughtery used to see "come into this house and bring all you are...a house of companionship and compassion."
"That's what you have taught me, bps."
I will be rooting for you, praying for you, and grateful for you.
You are men of hope and determination. You are men for this occasion. You are men of Christ. God bless you.
You are men of hope and determination. You are men for this occasion. You are men of Christ. God bless you.
+Gomez: All of us are grateful for Msgr. Bransfield's wise counsel and guidance. He has been a blessing to me.
Administration in the Church is a thankless task, but it is essential. Often goes unappreciated. The past years have not been easy.
Administration in the Church is a thankless task, but it is essential. Often goes unappreciated. The past years have not been easy.
+Gomez:
Msgr Bransfield is generous and self-sacrificing, with the heart of the Church.
Please join me in thanking and praying for Msgr. Bransfield.
Thank you, Msgr.
#USCCB20
Msgr Bransfield is generous and self-sacrificing, with the heart of the Church.
Please join me in thanking and praying for Msgr. Bransfield.
Thank you, Msgr.
#USCCB20
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