The 1997 Father Dave Mulvihill Interview - published in the Our Lady of Humility Bulletin

This July, 1997, we joyfully welcome Father David J. Mulvihill as Our Lady of Humility’s fourth pastor!!

Father Mulvihill’s priesthood has taken him in a variety of directions at the service of the Archdiocese. His pastoral ministry has been in Chicago and includes his work as a deacon at St. John Fisher Parish from 1971-72, his work as an associate pastor at St. Benedict Parish from 1972-77, and his work as an associate pastor at St. Christina Parish from 1977-82. He has resided at St. Odilo Parish in Berwyn since 1983, ministering at St. Odilo Parish and, for the last 10 years, at St. John Bosco Parish on weekends. Father Mulvihill’s primary ministry since 1983, with the exception of his years of study in Rome for his masters and doctorate in Canon Law, has been with the Matrimonial Tribunal for our diocese. His compassionate and understanding personality are keynotes of his pastoral approach when working with individuals and couples over these years in tribunal ministry.

Father Dave is excited to be here at OLH and to be getting back into parish ministry on a full-time basis. He has just celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest for our diocese, and he brings enthusiasm and a wealth of varied experiences within the church to this new pastorate. We are thrilled to have him!!

In order to help us get to know our new pastor better and in an effort to answer at least some of the multitude of questions asked since his appointment, the following interview questions received gracious replies from Father Mulvihill. Perhaps this “conversation” can help us get a head start on developing both discipleship and friendship in the Lord.

1. Did you have any particular reason or reasons you would like to share with us as to why you applied to be pastor of OLH parish?

Some people of St. Odilo Parish (that is the parish I left), told me they thought that I was going to Our Lady of Humility Parish because “you always wanted A Beautiful Place in the Country”. Others told me, “You seemed to be too saturated by your work downtown, and we know how much you love working in the parish... we are glad that you got yourself a little parish”. An altar boy asked me, “If they don’t have a kid’s Mass where you are going, could you send those great speeches you give during Mass.” One little girl from our school who didn’t know where this Beach Park/Zion was located said when she heard it was near Great America, “I know why you’re going there, that’s great!” A Boy Scout leader told me, “Hey, your parish has some great camping sites around it... boy, those people don’t know how lucky they are... would you say Mass for us when we come up?”

I believe I chose Our Lady of Humility Parish because I heard that it was a vibrant and growing parish. It was a parish where people were proud to be a member and be active. It was a parish where a priest could work for and love his people, and his people would work for and love him.

2. From your assignments as associate pastor at St. Benedict Parish and St. Christina Parish, as well as your weekend assistance at St. Odilo and St. John Bosco parishes, what pastoral experiences do you bring with you that will help you in this role as pastor?

At Odilo’s Vincent de Paul meeting this last Thursday, they laughed when they heard this question. “What does he mean ‘weekend assistance’? You were a full time priest for us ... we are sorry to see you go!” They reminded me that at St. Odilo’s “you brought us through some difficult times when we didn’t have a pastor for over three months; you ran the parish and did your work downtown at the same time.” The members of St. Vincent de Paul Society told me that they thought I brought to them a “sense of humor and an ability to fill them spiritually,” and they thought that I would bring these same qualities to my new parish.

On my own reflection, I believe that I bring from my twenty-five years in the priesthood in parish work an ability to listen to the needs and wants of the people, to learn as well as to teach. I know how to take responsibility and how to understand accountability, to follow through. I have learned to be a person who can’t always be neutral. If I see something wrong, I will do something about it. If I see something good, I will encourage it. I have learned to be a person who tries to have a vision for the future, and tries to make that vision a reality. I am not afraid to challenge or be challenged. I have learned to be literate, to learn what is going on in your community, the cluster of parishes, the Church, and the world. I love to read. I have learned that every person, as well as parish, is different. Each is an individual, each has their own story to tell, and I need to listen.

3. Your full-time assignment for many years now has been at the Matrimonial Tribunal. Are there some aspects of that specialized work that you think will help your involvement as pastor of OLH?

My responsibilities at the Metropolitan Tribunal are judicial in nature. I deal with persons in very difficult situations, gathering of information, solving problems, and making judgments. From this I have learned how to live with tension and crisis. I have learned to deal with people who are unhappy, people who have been hurt, people who have been unjust and unchristian, people who seek their rights in a system and- through a process which is most demanding and frustrating. There is always a constant anxiety, pressure, stress, and tension. But through it all, I have learned to listen carefully to people. I have learned that I am not always a King Solomon in my judgments. I have learned to take a stand even if that stand may not be politically correct. I have learned to try to bring healing and comfort. But in whatever I do, the most important thing is the salvation of that person’s soul.

4. When you get a chance to relax, what do you enjoy for recreation or hobbies or fun?

I enjoy reading a good book. I love music and flowers (please don’t ask what kind!). I like to walk and, as you can tell from my size, I enjoy eating good food. I most of all appreciate traveling. I have been leading groups with my brother, who is also a priest in Chicago, for the last thirty years. This year, for my twenty-fifth anniversary, I have planned a three-week trip in October with my classmates and friends. Over fifty people will travel with me to Rome to see the Holy Father. We, then, will voyage on to Turkey, moving in the footsteps of St. Paul. All of you here at OLH are always welcome to travel with me.

5. You, yourself, are going through a time of transition after so many years at St. Odilo Parish and at the Metropolitan Tribunal. How might we help you to have a smooth and positive transitions

There is a woman who attends the 6:30AM Mass that I usually say and who has been “concerned” about my health. When I stay up too late at night or get my once-a-year cold, she says “you should get to bed at a reasonable hour” and “did you forget to take your vitamins?” She said just recently, “Tell them they are not getting God as their new pastor, only one of his children.”

I think she is right. You will have to be patient with me when I first start. It would be hard to catch up with Father Joe in a matter of weeks. Father Joe, who has done such a wonderful job in the parish over the last 17 years, knows the plant and the people like the back of his hand. I thank him for his kindness a week ago in walking me through the parish and for his introduction at all the Masses on this weekend of June 28-29th. He has been great to me. I understand that he has been a wonderful priest to you!

But as to what you can do for me. Please introduce yourself and your family so that I can get to know you and please repeat that introduction over the next couple of months. Don't be afraid, during the first couple of months to tell me “I’m ........ And do help me if I get lost in the parish or the neighborhood. I would appreciate your help.

Thanks!

Father David Mulvihill

This is a prayer and a blessing that is special to me.

Irish Blessing
May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May God bless you abundantly.


Irish Blessing For Each Day
Always remember to forget the things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember the things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget the friends that prove untrue.
But never forget to remember those that stuck by you.
Always remember to forget the troubles that pass away.
But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.


Father David James Mulvihill was ordained a Catholic Priest in Mundelein, Illinois, for the Archdiocese of Chicago, by John Cardinal Cody on 10 May 1972. His early studies were at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois, where he received his B.A. and M. Div. degrees. He holds the Diploma in Etruscology and Italic Antiquities from the University of Perugia (1971). His Doctorate in Canon Law (J.C.D.) was earned at the Gregorian University, Rome, in 1990. He is Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and earned the Pilgrim Shell. He has served the Church of St. Benedict (Chicago), the Church of St. Christina (Chicago), and the Church of St. Odilo (Berwyn). He was appointed Pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Humility in 1998. The parish encompasses the towns of Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park and part of Waukegan, Illinois, with 1,500 families, 450 religious education students, 250 full-time Catholic School students, 4 nursing homes, and several hospitals. He also serves as a Judge for the Court of Appeals of the Catholic Province of Chicago, Illinois. He is active in Rotary International, and in July 2002 the Rotary Foundation honored him as a “Paul Harris Fellow”, with a citation and a gold medal.


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