tvc.dsj.org | May 21, 2019
COMMUNITY
Diocese of San Jose Honors Bishop McGrath with a Mass of Thanksgiving
By Liz Sullivan
It was a moment for the faithful to
say “thank you” to their shepherd.
On May 1, the Diocese of San Jose
celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at
the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
to honor Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, who
retired at the stroke of midnight on May
1, after 20 years of leading the Diocese.
Every Bishop of the Catholic Church
must submit a request for retirement
to the Holy See as they approach their
75th birthday. Bishop McGrath will
turn 74 in June.
On July 11, 2018, the Most Reverend
Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces,
New Mexico since 2013, was appointed
by the Holy Father as Coadjutor Bishop
of San Jose. Bishop Cantú, 52, has spent
the last 10 months becoming familiar
with the Diocese of San Jose.
Ordained a priest in 1970 for the
Archdiocese of San Francisco, Bishop
McGrath became the second Bishop of
San Jose on November 27, 1999 upon the
retirement of founding Bishop Pierre
DuMaine. Just as Bishop Cantú did,
Bishop McGrath spent about 14 months
serving as Coadjutor Bishop in San Jose.
“I bid farewell for now.
God bless you, Bishop Cantú
and the great local church of
San Jose. I love all of you.”
-Bishop McGrath
”You and I have a new Bishop, a
new shepherd,” said Bishop McGrath
during the homily. “Since I first knew
of his appointment last July, I have
given thanks to God for Bishop Oscar
Cantú, in whom I have come to know
a loving, thoughtful, wise and caring
pastor who will lead this local Church
with integrity and fidelity to the Lord.
Last midnight, Bishop Oscar became
the Third Bishop of San Jose. I con-
gratulate him and you. I pledge to him
my support as I know that you will do
the same. Pray for our new Bishop and
please continue to pray for the old one,
who will always be praying for you.”
At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop
Cantú presented Bishop McGrath with
the Saint Joseph Award. This award is
the highest honor a Bishop of San Jose
can bestow.
“We recognize and are grateful for
your service and spreading the Gospel
to the faithful of the Diocese of San
Jose,” said Bishop Cantú.”I now person-
ally ask for your prayers. You will have
much more time to pray now. An active
Images from Bishop McGrath’s Mass of Thanksgiving, including: photos with his family who trav-
eled from Ireland and the East Coast and brought up the gifts during Communion; a gathering of
priests ordained by Bishop McGrath; gifts Bishop McGrath received during the Mass, including
the Benedictus Award from Sister Sharon McMillian, SNDden and Father Chris Bennett and the
Saint Joseph Award from Bishop Cantú.
Photos courtesy of Jen Vazquez
Bishop prays out of necessity. Now you
can pray for delight.”
Bishop McGrath was also awarded
the Benedictus Award by the Diocesan
Liturgical Commission, and a Memory
Book from the parishes and schools in
the Diocese.
“We give thanks and praise to al-
mighty God for what you have given
us,” said Father Christopher Bennett,
Pastor of Saint Christopher. “You have
been a faithful friend and teacher to
all of us.”
Finally, before the closing prayer,
Bishop McGrath addressed the capac-
ity crowd assembled in the Cathedral,
including eight members of his family
who traveled from Ireland and the East
Coast for the Mass.
“I come to this day with a grateful
heart,” said Bishop McGrath, choking
back tears for much of the 10 minutes
he spoke. “I am grateful to God and to
all of you. When I came to the Diocese
in 1998 you received me with open
arms and open hearts. I look around
and I see you my legacy. I thank all of
you who have given me those special
moments in my life.
“I bid farewell for now. God bless
you, Bishop Cantú and the great local
Church of San Jose. I love all of you.”
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