9
James Day,
USA Province
DeMatha High School Director
CMN: Could you please tell us something about yourself and your background?
I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was the youngest of two sons borne to John and Helen Day. My family was very much connected with the Catholic Church, and I attended 13 years of Catholic education. I entered the Trinitarians in Pikesville in 1963, and made my final vows in 1968 and I was ordained a priest in 1972. My assignments in ministry included 19 years in parish ministry; 15 years in high school ministry and three years in retreat ministry. I have also served as Formation Director for 16 years and have been on various Provincial Councils for 11 years.
CMN: While you were pastor of St. Ann Parish in Bristol, Pennsylvania, (1993 – 2011), how did you transmit our Trinitarian spirituality in the parish?
I believe our ministry is to help those who feel abandoned or overwhelmed by the hardships of the human condition. Within our Trinitarian parish, it was evident to me that the other Trinitarian priests, brother and Sisters were very committed to doing whatever was necessary to welcome them into our Trinitarian family. Many times the Trinitarians would sit by the bedside of a dying parishioner and comfort the grieving family with words about the Trinity’s love for them.
Many of our parishioners suffer from cancer, so we bring them the consolation of St. Michael of the Saints every week in special devotions to help them in their quest for healing. As Trinitarians we believe that the Trinity is a God who thrives in relationship
and love poured out to all of humanity. I believe all of the Trinitarians at St. Ann incarnate that love by our words and actions. For many, many years before I ever arrived at St. Ann, the Trinitarians have always been known as the priests who would go to see the sick no matter where they were. Nurses and doctors would say: “Call St. Ann priests, they will always come.” It was never a burden to bring the consolation of the sacraments to our people. This holy reputation continues to this very day. In those many moments I could feel the presence of John DeMatha inviting us to bring the redemption and love of the Trinity to these suffering people.
The parishioners always responded well to the Holy Trinity Fathers and Holy Trinity Sisters who also work in the parish. It is a great testimony to the working of two segments of the Trinitarian Family with the priests and sisters, and the farewell for me in June 2011 was very emotional for all of us. Like every religious, it is a blessing to be loved and cherished wherever we are in ministry, but we must follow the plan of God from place to place.
CMN: What has your experience been now that you have returned to DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, Maryland, after being away for so many years?
I was asked by the Provincial Council to return to DeMatha as the Rector, which is the chief
administrative position for the high school (grades 9 through 12) of 900 male students and a faculty and staff of 100 people. It has been quite a change for me. Fortunately, I had been at DeMatha from 1975 until 1990, so this time I still did remember some of the current faculty and staff. This high school was founded by the Trinitarians in 1946 and is one of the largest in the Archdiocese of Washington. The school just built a brand new three-story Convocation Center which holds a gymnasium, four classrooms, administrative offices and a lounge for the alumni. It is certainly a beautiful statement about the commitment of the Trinitarians, the faculty and the alumni, who helped fund the project.
My return to high school administration on July 1, 2011 was quite a change for me, and I am still getting used to it. Since then, I have spent time talking with small groups of students about St. John DeMatha, the history of the Trinitarians and the history of the school, highlighting a call for their considering a religious vocation. In addition, we are having small class liturgies to help evangelize and pass on the Catholic faith in concrete ways. I am interviewing all of the faculty and staff to come to know them and appreciate their commitment to the school.