By John
Shaughnessy (Assistant Editor, The Criterion)
If
there’s one thing a brother in an Irish family learns quickly, it’s that a
conversation with one of his sisters will often lead to some interesting and
unexpected situations.
As proof,
consider a conversation that Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin had with one of his
sisters, Ann Levigne, earlier this fall—before
Pope Francis announced on Oct. 9 that he would be one of 17 new cardinals for
the Church.
“About
two months ago, we were talking about Rome,” Ann says with a smile. “And I
said, ‘Can you do something remotely notable so we can go back to Rome?’ ”
After a
laugh, she added, “We’re certainly happy for Joe, but we’re happier for our
Church. It’s bittersweet knowing he will hate to leave Indianapolis, but it’s
great that we’re sharing this as a family, including his family from
Indianapolis and his family in Rome.”
The
reality for Cardinal Tobin is that his understanding of family extends far
beyond his 93-year-old mother, his sisters, his brothers, his nieces, nephews
and other relatives—a huge contingent that came to Rome to support him as he
was installed as a cardinal by Pope Francis on Nov. 19 in St. Peter’s Basilica
at the Vatican.
For
Cardinal Tobin, his extended family also includes his friends who share his
priesthood in the Redemptorist order. And the reality for everyone who has
longtime friends is that these friends will often add a touch of humor to their
serious thoughts of joy and affection for you.
So it is
with Redemptorist Father John Steingraeber, who has known Cardinal Tobin since
1966, a time that has included the 12 years that Cardinal Tobin served as
superior general of their order founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori.
“Joe was
a freshman when I was a senior in high school seminary,” Father John says. “As
one of his classmates once said about Joe, ‘I’ve thought many things of you
over the years, but never as the successor of St. Alphonsus.’ ”
Turning
serious, Father John said, “He’s proven to be a worthy successor. It’s such an
honor. And we’re so proud of the
attitude he has about being transferred to Newark. It shows the true missionary
spirit he has as a Redemptorist.”
Cardinal
Tobin’s “extended family” has also grown to include the Archdiocese of
Indianapolis. One of those family members who has come to know him well during
his four years as the spiritual leader of the archdiocese is Theresa Brydon,
his executive assistant for 2 1/2 years.
“There
are some people you feel you’ve known all your life, and that’s how this feels
with him,” she said. “I have a feeling of joy for him, but I also feel I
haven’t been with him enough.”
It’s a
feeling share by many people throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
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