And he expressed the hope that the naming by Pope Benedict XVI of the eight priests as chaplains to His Holiness “will be a new strength for all of us to serve the Gospel.”
The eight new monsignors are Msgrs. Ronald T. Browne, John F. Hall, Timothy D. Hogan, Michael G. Hrydziuszko, H. Thomas Johnson, Russell E. Kohler, Gary T. Smetanka and Daniel J. Trapp.
The chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary was filled to capacity with fellow clergy, family and well-wishers of the new monsignors, and most of the congregation also attended a reception afterward.
Former classmates, relatives, old family friends and current parishioners were among those who turned out to pray for and congratulate the new monsignors.
Valeon Waller, a member of St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish in Detroit, said she was there for Msgr. Trapp “because he is so involved in our community” and “we have just a lot of wonderful things going on.”
Those who came for Msgr. Browne included Mary Grivas: “I grew up with him at IHM Grade School in northwest Detroit. He was easily one of the nicest guys in class.”
Peter Romanelli, who had been a friend and co-worker of Msgr. Browne’s father, was also there. “When my grandson got killed in a car accident, Msgr. Browne was in Rome. He not only said a Mass for him at the altar of La Pieta in St. Peter’s, but took time to go to my hometown — Roccavivi — to say a Mass,” Romanelli said.
Craig Schoenherr, a member of Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit (and a nephew of the late Bishop Walter J. Schoenherr), said he had known Msgr. Russ Kohler since they were in the eighth grade, and also remembered when he served as Grotto as a young priest.
Msgr. John Hall had perhaps the largest contingent of well-wishers,
including four members of the 1965 graduating class from St. Patrick High School in Wyandotte, when he was pastor there, as well as many relatives and others.
Richard Smetanka, of St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township, said of his younger brother, Msgr. Smetanka, “I want to know why he doesn’t have any gray hair yet — I guess he must be doing something right.”
