A tribute to Father William Kinney
By Ron Kolodziej
I am from St. Anthony Parish in Florence. I was volunteering as
interpreter of sign language and religious education instructor when
St. Mary Church on Yonges Island advertised for someone to teach a
young deaf girl about God and Mass, and prepare her for Holy Communion.
Msgr. Thomas Duffy, my pastor at that time, applauded my decision to
travel two weekends every month to St. Mary to teach this young girl.
“At least I know where you are on Sundays!” he said.
My first contact with Father Kinney, St. Mary’s pastor, was at a
meeting with the DRE and all the team teachers of religious education
on the feast day of the Assumption. Father Kinney made sure I was
invited to a pizza house afterward because he wanted to learn sign
language in order to communicate with Cathy. I spent two hours that
afternoon fulfilling his wish to learn the hand language for “peace,”
“the Body of Christ,” and “the Blood of Christ.” Father Kinney took
immense delight as a representative of Jesus in bringing a touching,
personal message of Jesus’ love.
Father Kinney saw the need for continuing education to prepare Cathy
for Confirmation. He arranged for my travel expenses to St. Mary to be
paid.
Father Kinney listened to my suggestions, and got the required
materials needed in sign language. He crossed over that “cultural
barrier” and put together a budget to enable Cathy to become a member
of the congregation.
There were challenges:
n The need for me to enrich my educational style, and to evangelize in
native hand language. Father Bill paved the way to connect me with the
Office of Social Ministry to attend pastoral worker training annually.
n Confession. Since Cathy is not indoctrinated in the English language
concept, or written format, there was a need for me to instruct Father
Kinney that the NCCB had approved an interpreter to be present to hear
the Confession. Father Kinney had homework to complete by contacting
the chancery office, and a telephone call to Cardinal Bernard Law for
clarification, and yes, a stamp of approval.
n With the enlightenment from Cardinal Law on the presentation of
the interpreted Mass, the Boston Archdiocese had a televised Mass with
signing hands appearing in the upper left-hand portion of the
television screen. One Sunday Father Kinney surprised me (and the
congregation as well) by having me stand next to the ambo. Father
Kinney announced, “In Boston, Cardinal Law has just the hands showing
the signed Mass; here at St. Mary’s we have the entire person in the
flesh!” The congregation had a hearty laugh. He delivered his punch
lines with finesse.
I have been extremely blessed by this priest who took the time to
fulfill the needs of his parish, especially the deaf. Father Kinney, in
my opinion, truly understood Chapter 7 of St. Mark’s Gospel that tells
of the moment Jesus touched and healed the deaf person with the
true love of God. He enriched my spiritual life, deepened my faith to
serve, and rewarded me by recognizing that we can fulfill our baptismal
calling. Father Kinney, you are a servant of God. May peace be with you.
Ron Kolodziej is a parishioner at St. Anthony Church in Florence.
Published Jan. 13, 2005
The Catholic Miscellany