Father Mullally - Teacher/Preacher

Beads of Joy 11-13-11

Father Mullally – Teacher/Preacher
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everybody,

There is no doubt in my mind that everyone who knew Father would say, “He was unlike anyone I had ever known.” A very true statement, actually I’d be bold enough to say he was even more. Do you ever notice the way he is, his kindness, his ability to be friends with countless people? Yet in all those multiples of people, every one of us felt like he was fully invested only in our affairs and our family. Didn’t it feel that way? And at the same time he had the ability to unite us all as one, as only a good shepherd could. And only simple observation for me was that Father was very sparing on giving out compliments, oh yes when they stand alone accomplishments or something extraordinary, he was the first to celebrate for us. But if we were doing a continuous activity and we had to constantly return it, he was a man a little words.

I have had the Rosary Ministry for about 28 years now, of cause everything I did, I always asked for Fathers direction, opinion and correction if need be. Father Mullally was and in some ways still is my rudder, guiding me on the path that leads straight to Jesus. Well every now and then I would ask Father, “How am I doing? Am I on target? And am I staying on focus?” His comment only every one to two months was, "Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re doing a good thing." This comment echoes in my head as I forge forward with our Rosary Prayer Ministry. He has always been the driving force behind it.

Back then I asked him, “Why do you so sparely give compliments?” He is one funny, unique, incredible man. He said, “It’s like this, if anyone does something daily, lots of times too many compliments make them cocky and prideful, and in the long run they screw it up and stop, I compliment you, just to help push you along.” Insightful indeed. Well needless to say I learned from him. I love every single one of his homilies. But only once about every 5-6 weeks after Mass I shake his hand like I always do, but those times I use my other hand to hold that hand and I say, “That was an incredible homily, it really hit home, AWEOSME Father.” Later in the day once in a while he’d say, “What was that all about after Mass?” I say, “O you mean the compliment?”, he’d say, “Yes, what’s with the way you did that?” I got to laugh, I’d say, “Well Father, I sparingly give out compliments, I don’t want anyone getting cocky when they do a good thing so often.” And he’d laugh. We had a very close understanding… Back then we had internet, but we use to spend MANY MANY nights, all night talking on the phone. We’d pray, we share each other’s life, no stone was left un-turned.. He was one of my closest friends, brother.. I was incredibly blessed with him in my life...

What is the summary here… We are like FATHER, in his loving us, he was teaching us to be like him. He knew countless people, very personally. Many of us are the same way in our community, amongst our community. He had this personal ability to have people feel special, like they were the only ones he had a direct interest in. Many of us in our community do that for one another in our relationships. He always looked out for us, remembering all our prayer needs and always going the extra mile. How many of us already do that for one another. We have Father Mullally to thank for being not only an incredible Shepherd, but an outstanding teacher.

I have so much more to share. And I will... Stay Tuned…

Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today during Advent we pray the Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Birth of Jesus
4. The Presentation in The Temple
5. Finding of Jesus in the Temple