ST. PAUL, Minn. (OSV News) -- Newly ordained and addressing 3,000 people in the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Auxiliary Bishop Kevin T. Kenney said he was grateful for the love and support he has received from so many over the years, and he urged all to return to "the heart of loving Jesus in our lives."
His Oct. 28 ordination fell just four days after Pope Francis released an encyclical on devotion to the Sacred of Heart of Jesus, "Dilexit Nos," a fact noted by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis in his homily, by Bishop Kenney in his remarks, and the evening before his ordination during a vespers service at St. Olaf Church in Minneapolis, where Bishop Kenney is pastor.
Bishop Kenney's coat of arms includes an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and people who know him well remark on the loving heart he demonstrates in his ministry.
"What Archbishop Hebda said about Pope Francis' (encyclical), the heart, the heart, the heart," Bishop Kenney said. "Too often today, the heart is blinded by so many different things; we're led astray by so many different things. But to return to the heart, the heart of loving Jesus in our lives."
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, and some 17 bishops from Minnesota and around the country were present, as were members of Bishop Kenney's family, hundreds of priests, seminarians, men and women in consecrated life, as well as people from parishes where Bishop Kenney has served. Among the bishops were Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Izen and Bishop Joseph A. Williams, who was an auxiliary bishop in St. Paul and Minneapolis until his appointment in May as coadjutor bishop of Camden, New Jersey.
Students from Annunciation and DeLaSalle High School, which Bishop Kenney attended while growing up in Minneapolis, came to the ordination, and people with whom the bishop graduated at what was then the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and studied with at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
The Mass was celebrated in English and Spanish. Many people came from the Latino communities of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul and Divine Mercy in Faribault, where Bishop Kenney also served.
In his homily before ordaining him a bishop, Archbishop Hebda said Bishop-designate Kenney at the vespers service mentioned that he would never have imagined that he would have been called to this service.
"I for one, however, and I suspect I'm not the only one, can see that the Lord had long been preparing young Kevin Kenney, then Deacon Kenney, and then Father Kenney, to one day be Bishop Kenney," the archbishop said. "The Lord has blessed him with extraordinary priestly gifts and a compassionate heart, just what we need from our shepherd."
The archbishop said he has witnessed a blossoming of gifts in the lives of Bishop Williams and Bishop Izen after their episcopal ordinations, and he is excited to see "what the Lord is going to do in your life, bishop-elect, for the good of this local church, with the graces bestowed upon you today."
Archbishop Hebda also encouraged the soon-to-be-ordained bishop to continue to pray.
"Pope Francis has, on more than one occasion, reminded bishops that their first task along that path has to be prayer," the archbishop said. "A bishop who does not pray, the Holy Father has said, does not fulfill his duty, does not carry out his vocation."
Family, friends, fellow bishops, priests and religious, and the faithful traveled from in and out of state to attend Bishop Kenney's ordination.
The day held special meaning for Mary Kathryn Peterson. A cousin of Bishop Kenney, Peterson is a soprano with the St. Olaf choir and sang at the episcopal ordination.
"It was very moving," she said of the ordination. "It was a wonderful experience to see a family member of mine ascend to this position. … I know that he will excel in it as he has done at St. Olaf, and it's just a great joy to get to watch him do this."
"It's a packed house, so that's pretty exciting," observed Michael Bauer, as people filled the Cathedral's pews. Bauer, who is in his second year of formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul and is a member of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, said it was his first time attending an episcopal ordination -- "I'm excited about that."
Martha Flores, who came to know Bishop Kenney about 13 years ago, expressed her happiness seeing Bishop Kenney take on a new role.
"I'm blessed to know (Bishop) Kevin" said Flores, a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Reflecting on his impact at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Flores mentioned his kindness and that "when the people need something, he is ready to help."
A few pews away from Flores were members of St. Olaf's African International Choir.
"We love him, and God loves him; and he's doing the will of God," said Kumbah Cole about Bishop Kenney and his ordination. "We're happy for him."
"He's just the best," Theresa Alada, of St. Olaf, told The Catholic Spirit, the archdiocesan newspaper. "Whatever position he has is well deserved. He deserves it. He's so nice, (a) wonderful man."
"He is a good man, a good pastor who loves everybody," agreed Immaculate Morgan, of St. Olaf. "He is there for us, and that's why we are here."
Before his ordination, Bishop Kenney -- known for his love of dancing -- took time to do just that on the steps of the cathedral with a mariachi band and members of the Latino community.
Closing his remarks at the end of the Mass, Bishop Kenney said the music was to encourage joy, and he urged people to "go forth filled with joy."
"To get us joyful as we continue to dance through life, as we continue to welcome Jesus into our hearts," Bishop Kenney said. "God bless all of you and thank you for being here," he said. "Amen. Amen."
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