Print Issue: April 18, 2002

Beloved Priest Receives Prayer Support At Healing Mass

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

ATLANTA-Although she and her siblings had several uncles growing up, Stephanie Nolt said they referred to their Uncle Paul as simply "Uncle" because "he was our favorite."

That same warm sentiment was expressed by many in the archdiocese as they attended a special healing Mass for the intentions of her uncle, Msgr. Paul Reynolds, vicar general in curia for the archdiocese, April 10 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

(Clockwise from left) Ron and Bonnie Carr, members of the Church of St. Andrew, Roswell, and Jin and Edith Choi, members of the Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Doraville, sing the opening hymn, "Lord of all Hopefulness." Hundreds gathered for a special Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, to lift up prayers of healing for Msgr. Paul Reynolds, April 10. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

Msgr. Reynolds, 64, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and had undergone chemotherapy at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta, where he was hospitalized March 8. (AML is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and lymph system. It is the most common form of leukemia in adults.)

With his leukemia currently in temporary remission, Msgr. Reynolds was transferred to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston on April 8 to explore further treatment options.

Nolt, who attends Prince of Peace Church in Buford with her family, said she was not surprised to see the church full of well-wishers.

"I know how well respected he is," she said. "It's like the archbishop said, he's not only a priest but a counselor . . . He's got a great sense of humor, a great personality. He likes to laugh . . . even when I went to see him in the hospital 10 days ago he was laughing."

Her husband, Frank, took comfort in the many people who supported his uncle-in-law.

"It almost felt like we were with family," he said. "It's great to see how many people are praying for him."

About 40 priests concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop John F. Donoghue, assisted by about 20 permanent deacons.

In his homily, the archbishop referred to the mystery of mortality, saying that the faithful must accept God's will for them.

"This is because, dear friends, the life within us is not entirely our own-it is a shared life, consisting in part, of the life of God that has come to us through Baptism, a life which is renewed in us when we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord," he said. "And this life within us, this shared life, can do many things, if we surrender to the will of God."

The archbishop said that although the decision to heal is ultimately up to God, the faithful should continue to pray.

"But we also pray with all our hearts, that God's will might be to heal the one for whom we especially pray this evening, Msgr. Reynolds, one who is both our friend and our counselor," he said. "And because we are confirmed in the love of Christ, we go further, and expand our prayer-offering it on behalf of all who labor under the burden of illness, or who have fallen under the terrible weight of despair. But we also pray, first and above all else, as our Lord has taught us, 'Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven.'"

Deacon Gary Womack of St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, proclaims the Gospel from John 3:16. Msgr. Paul Reynolds was the founding pastor of the Gwinnett County parish.

Following the Mass, a reception brought together friends and family of Msgr. Reynolds who expressed joy in his remission and pledged to continue their prayer support.

Deacon Gary Womack, who served on the Cursillo weekend Msgr. Reynolds made more than 20 years ago, said since their shared weekend "I've always felt kind of close to him." He has been a deacon since 1987 at St. John Neumann Church, where Msgr. Reynolds was founding pastor and served for 11 years. "The people just loved Paul. He was always very charismatic and very caring. When you were talking to him, you felt you were the only one . . . You sensed God's presence through him."

Betty Walsh, the retired adult education and RCIA director at St. John Neumann, read the prayer petitions at the Mass, which included prayers for divine healing. "I've known him and loved him for many, many years," Walsh said. "There's no one like him."

Ruth Bischof served as parish secretary at St. John Neumann beginning in 1981 and has volunteered there since 1977 even before Msgr. Reynolds was assigned to the parish. "He has been a dear friend to my family for 25 years," she said. "He brought our son-in-law into the church, baptized all of our grandbabies and married all of our children."

She praised his homilies. "You always came away feeling 'he was talking just to me today.'"

As a priest he exhibited great compassion to people, she said, and "he was a wonderful listener."

Because of their long friendship, Bischof was permitted to visit him in Saint Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta, although she only came once because of his weak condition, instead calling him daily until he wasn't even able to receive calls.

"He is in my thoughts and prayers every minute of every day," she said. "I feel like he has a wonderful attitude. I have a good feeling about it. I don't think the Lord is ready to take him yet."

Betty Walsh, retired adult education and RCIA director at St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, reads the prayers of the faithful during the April 10 Mass for Msgr. Paul Reynolds.

Anne Feaster and her husband, Houston, have known Msgr. Reynolds since St. John Neumann first came into existence.

"He's very personable, very kind, very pure of heart," Mrs. Feaster said. "He always has good things to say."

Her husband said that Msgr. Reynolds has had more influence on him "than any other priest, more by example than anything else."

"The secret to holiness is humility," he said. "And Msgr. Reynolds is a genuinely humble man."

In addition to serving as pastor at St. John Neumann, Msgr. Reynolds, a native of Dublin, Ireland, also served as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna. Before he was named vicar general, he served as pastor of St. Andrew's Church in Roswell for 12 years.

Anyone who wishes to send cards to him can do so in care of the Catholic Center, 680 West Peachtree St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.

In addition, members of St. Andrew's are requesting prayers for Msgr. Reynolds' healing through the intercession of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.