Archbishop Dolan's Farewell

Easter is the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But amid that triumphant Easter joy, there was some sadness yesterday as Archbishop Timothy Dolan said his final Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist before leaving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

From the New York Daily News:

Tears flowed in Milwaukee on Sunday as Archbishop Timothy Dolan bade farewell to his loyal parishioners before heading to New York to replace Edward Cardinal Egan.

A standing-room-only crowd of hundreds of worshipers packed the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to hear Dolan give his final Easter Sunday Mass.

"As excited as I am and as hopeful as I am, this is downright sad," Dolan told the congregation. "It's kind of a little dying and some rising, which is what Holy Week and Easter is all about."

Churchgoers arrived up to an hour early to secure a seat at the 9:30 a.m. service. Some described Dolan as a "rock star" and a "dazzler" who attracts admirers wherever he goes.

...For many, it will be the personal encounters with Dolan they will remember most: a little handshake or hug or a kind word that reaffirmed their faith in the Catholic Church.

...Dolan's Easter Mass lasted more than an hour. He said he had followed the advice of former President Ronald Reagan and rehearsed his parting words several times to stop himself from breaking down.

Then he received a standing ovation, removed his cloak and watched as his coat of arms was taken down.

"The sadness to leave the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is tempered by the excitement and promise of New York," Dolan said. "Happy Easter; see you soon," he added.

That same bittersweet emotion was reflected in Egan's final Easter Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral as he thanked his congregation for supporting him for the past nine years.

"I've been the recipient of so many blessings and so many kindnesses," he said.

...With St. Patrick's filled to capacity, Egan was cheered by hundreds of people who had gathered outside the historic Fifth Ave. church.

...Dolan arrived from Milwaukee at his new residence next to St. Patrick's Cathedral Sunday night. He officially takes over as New York's Catholic leader on Wednesday.

The celebrations begin Tuesday with a solemn vespers prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's.

Dolan will preside over his first service Wednesday during the Mass of Installation at 2 p.m. He said he also plans to visit Ground Zero later in the week.

Archbishop Dolan was a great gift to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

He touched the lives of so many people in southeastern Wisconsin.

We were blessed to have him here to guide us through that very difficult period of scandal, including the shocking misdeeds of Archbishop Rembert Weakland. Although I was so disillusioned, I credit Archbishop Dolan for helping restore my confidence in the Church. No small task.

My first impression of him, back in 2002, was that he really loves what he does. That never changed. One of the things that I found most endearing about Archbishop Dolan was the way he wanted to be involved in the lives of his flock on a very personal level. He wasn't aloof or cold. He shared in our joys and sorrows.

I was blessed to know the depth and sincerity of his compassion. I'll always be grateful.

Although Archbishop Dolan is in New York now, he'll remain in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He's left a lasting legacy in our hearts.