October 13, 2024

Most of us can name at least one person who has had an unexpected impact upon our lives. It might be a teacher, coach, coworker, employer – any number of people. It could be someone from our youth, young adult years or any point in our lives. One such person in my life was Cardinal James A. Hickey, who served as archbishop of Washington from 1980 until his retirement in 2000. Oct. 24 marks the 20th anniversary of his death at the age of 84. In 1993, I was serving as parochial vicar in a parish when the cardinal asked me to serve as his assistant. I’m not sure why he chose me, as I don’t have a particular background…