October 24, 2022

Bishop Byrne attends Thomas Aquinas College inauguration event in California

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Thomas Aquinas College)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne joined Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez on the Santa Paula, Calif., campus of Thomas Aquinas College (TAC) for the inauguration of Paul J. O’Reilly as the college’s fifth president, the first alumnus to assume the position.

As he looked forward to his first visit to TAC-California, Bishop byrne said, “This inauguration gives us a moment to look back with grateful hearts on the wonderful leadership of Dr. Michael McLean. At the same time, we look forward to an exciting and blessed future under the leadership of Dr. Paul O’Reilly.”

The Oct. 22 inaugural events began with a Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel celebrated by Archbishop Gomez and Bishop Byrne, principal concelebrant, the ordinaries of the college’s two campuses. The Massachusetts campus is located in Northfield.

Assisting at the altar were the college’s chaplains, as well as numerous visiting and alumni priests and seminarians.

In his homily, Archbishop Gomez reminded the College of its ecclesial vocation. “The Lord entrusts you with this sacred responsibility: To feed and tend these young hearts and minds, to give them knowledge of the truth,” His Excellency said. “Only in this wisdom, only in Jesus Christ, can we flourish in this world and know the love that never ends.”

Those present reconvened later in the chapel for the installation ceremony.

The founders of Thomas Aquinas College “envisioned a reformation of liberal education under the guidance of the Truth, Who became incarnate,” said John J. Goyette, dean of the California campus, in his opening remarks. Goyette then introduced two speakers to testify to the success, 50 years later, of that founding vision: Thomas Carroll, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Boston, and Glenn C. Arbery, president of Wyoming Catholic College.

Springfield Bishop William Byrne (center) joined Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez (left) in celebrating Mass before the Oct. 22 installation of Paul J. O’Reilly as the college’s fifth president.  (iObserve photo/courtesy of Thomas Aquinas College)

Carroll noted, “Thomas Aquinas College has become the cornerstone of our efforts to remake our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston.” He added that, “I have recruited more students from TAC than from any other college … I have no doubt that TAC will remain ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ to our nation and our church.”

Following these remarks, the prelates offered brief salutations.

“My prayer for you, Dr. O’Reilly, is that in everything you do, you would seek holiness and bring love,” said Archbishop Gomez. “If you do this, everything else will fall into place.”

Bishop Byrne took the opportunity to thank the college for its presence in Massachusetts. “My small but beautiful portion of the People of God has suffered greatly in these past decades,” he said. “Yet, thanks to Thomas Aquinas College, I became one of the few bishops in the New England area to actually consecrate, not deconsecrate, a church — and what a glorious celebration it was!”

After professing the Nicene Creed and taking the Oath of Fidelity, President O’Reilly advised faculty members to rededicate themselves to the institution’s founding principles. And to the students themselves, he said, “Give yourselves to this demanding program, and we, your tutors, promise you will receive a pearl of great price.”

After Dr. O’Reilly’s address, Father Greg Markey, head chaplain of TAC-New England, delivered the final blessing, after which choir and guests sang “Immaculate Mary” to conclude the ceremony.