Father Rhoades' last Rector's Conference

Father Rhoades gave his last Rector’s conference this afternoon.

He related the story of the past few weeks beginning with the message Lisa had left him from Archbishop Montalvo on Tuesday, October 5. She indicated that the message nuncio’s call was “urgent.”



He told how the nuncio was communicating the intention of the Holy Father that he be installed as the next Bishop of Harrisburg, to which Father Rhoades said in reply, “Are you sure?”



He mentioned how he met with Cardinal Keeler and spoke with Archbishop Rigale, and Bishop Olmstead, who will be the consecrating Bishops at the ordination December 9.



He also told how the nine days between October 5 and the public announcement of October 14 felt like “the longest days of my life.” He was able to contact his Father the evening of the 13th. Trying not to let on as if anything had occurred was quite difficult especially during the occasion of the Priest Reunion of October 5th and 6th. He again singled out and thanked Dennis Schuelkens for his response to the emergency of Father Kriss’s collapse on the morning of the 6th.



He said how the Mount will always have a special place in his heart. He spoke of feeling mixed emotions and bittersweet considering how deeply connected he feels to the Mount.



His parting wish for us was that we pray for him and that we “Be great priests, Be holy priests!”



As the gathering stood and applauded his final words to the seminary, Father Rhoades acknowledged the seminarians appreciation with a nod. He was visibly moved. The ovation continued even after he had exited the lecture hall. In the hallway, he was seen as he walked away drying his eyes and hesitantly looking back once and twice to acknowledge the applauding seminarians.