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From the desk of...

Msgr. Funaro was the recipient of the Fr. Mychal Judge Memorial Award, in a ceremony which took place last September 7th, 2005. This award is in recognition of Msgr. Funaro’s decisive contributions to the Great Irish Fair—he was the organizer of the very first Fair twenty-five years ago, and was deeply involved in its first two years of existence. It was thanks to his efforts that the Fair was introduced in our great city, to become an eagerly awaited annual event.

Two of our parishioners—Tom Shanahan, the Fair’s chairman, and Bettyanne McDonough—were among those contributing to the organization of the 2005 Great Irish Fair. Sincere congratulations to Msgr. Funaro for this well-deserved award, and to Tom and Bettyanne for a splendidly organized 25th anniversary Great Irish Fair!

Msgr. Funaro receiving the Fr. Mychal Judge Memorial Award from Tom Shanahan

After the awards ceremony, Msgr. Funaro with Bettyanne McDonough and Tom Shanahan.

A photo of Msgr. Funaro with his parents on the day of his ordination (1965).

His Homilies

written by Communications Committee member Regina Faighes, in honor of Msgr. Funaro's 40th Anniversary as a Priest

At a Musica Reginć event that Msgr. Funaro and I attended last year, we struck up a conversation with a gentleman who asked me, “What makes Msgr. Funaro a good pastor?” In spite of his many qualities that make him a good pastor, without a moment’s hesitation I replied, “his homilies.”

The first time that I heard Msgr. Funaro preach was at the Mass that he celebrated on Thanksgiving Day in 2001, when I was still going through the R.C.I.A. process. In his homily, he reminisced about the Thanksgiving when he, as a little boy, had cried bitterly upon learning that the turkey that he had fed, tended to, and regarded as a pet, had ended up on the dinner table. I was delighted to learn that I would soon have a pastor who loves animals as much as I do. I was also taken by the warmth and approachability that were evidenced by his willingness to share this personal memory with the congregation. It is said that we never get a second chance to make a first impression, and I knew then and there that God had sent me exactly the kind of pastor whom I needed.

One Sunday morning in 2002, Msgr. Funaro admonished a misty-eyed congregation that when we bid farewell to our friends and relatives, we should tell them that we love them. Although he did not refer to her in his moving and powerful homily, I knew that he was thinking about Rae, his beloved sister of whom he was recently bereft. In a manner typical of his unselfish nature, he did not wallow in his grief; he used it to help others.

Reconciliation is central to our Catholic faith; indeed, it is even one of our Sacraments. It is one thing to believe in its importance, and quite another to put the belief into practice. In one of his homilies, Msgr. Funaro told us that several of the guests whom he had invited to his Dad’s seventieth birthday party were not on speaking terms. His Mom had thought, as most people likely would have, that it would be best that these people not be seated together. Msgr. Funaro was of the opposite mindset, feeling as he put it, “sooner or later someone will ask for salt.” His instincts were correct, and by the end of the party these erstwhile enemies were talking and laughing. What a wonderful birthday present for a son to have given to his Dad; what an important lesson for a pastor to have taught his flock!

In keeping with my annual tradition, I did not go to work during the week of my birthday, so on February 17th, I had the privilege of hearing Msgr. Funaro preach at the 12:05 Mass. In preparation for the Eucharistic Adoration that was to take place, as it does at our parish each Thursday (except during July and August), Msgr. Funaro advised us in his homily that it would be good on that mid-Lenten day for us to use our time in front of the Blessed Sacrament to ask, “Jesus, how am I doing?” He assured us that Jesus would respond. I decided to take my pastor up on his suggestion, and what he had promised did indeed come to pass. I learned, in prayer that I do not always live up to Jesus’ expectations of me. While this was not what I had hoped to hear, I am grateful to have been given this opportunity to try to make amends and be better prepared, spiritually, for Easter. I am extremely grateful to Msgr. Funaro for having given me the means with which to make my Lenten experience more purposeful. I now make it a weekly practice to ask Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, “Jesus, how am I doing?”

At the memorial Mass that was celebrated for Pope John Paul II at our parish on April 8th, Msgr. Funaro delivered in his soothing and gentle voice a homily/eulogy that moved me to flood the choir loft with tears. This catharsis cleansed my soul that my tears of mourning might give way to a feeling of hope.

In the tradition of St. Paul (1 Corinthians 9:22), Msgr. Funaro is a pastor who is “all things to all people.” In response to that gentleman’s question, some parishioners would have praised him for his caring manner during pastoral counseling. Some would have noted that he is attentive to their prayer requests, while others would have said that they are inspired by his courage and cheerfulness in the face of intense suffering.

Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of your ordination, Msgr. Funaro. May God bless you with many healthy and happy years as His priest and as our pastor.

To show that I was paying attention during your beautiful homily, I will close by saying, “I love you, Msgr. Funaro.”