In Cincinnati and Chicago, from the pulpit and in the pews, Roman Catholics on Sunday celebrated the faith, life and example of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
Many churches remembered the cardinal, who died early Thursday, in their prayers. Some carried inserts recounting his life in their weekly bulletins, and priests held him up as a model in their homilies.
In a society ''hurting for a little bit of love,'' the Rev. Raymond Larger said, Cincinnati's former archbishop ''was a genuine, consoling, kind, compassionate individual.''
Ordained by then-Archbishop Bernardin in 1977, the pastor at the Church of St. James in White Oak recalled the senior prelate for his 10 years shepherding the Cincinnati archdiocese and 14 years serving Chicagoans.
''He worked tirelessly,'' said Father Larger.
In one of the New Testament's most sobering excerpts, the gospel reading from the evangelist Matthew prompted comparisons between Cardinal Bernardin and the parable's characters. Jesus tells of three servants to whom a master entrusted $5,000, $2,000 and $1,000, based on each one's ability. The master later rewards the two who used their endowments to earn interest, but renounces a third who, out of fear, buries his $1,000 gift.
''We have days where we shine and we do it right - that's a $5,000 day. And we all have days where we drop the ball. That's our $1,000 day,'' said the Rev. Ted Kosse of St. Peter Church in New Richmond. ''Bernardin paid his dues ... and he rose to his place of prominence as a direct result of his gifts and talents and the person he was.''
In Chicago's many ethnic Catholic communities, Cardinal Bernardin was praised for acknowledging both the diversity and the unity of their congregations. Relations between the archdiocese and some communities were strained in the late 1980s after a series of parish consolidations closed some Hispanic and African-American churches.
But parishioners also recalled how he took part in Hispanic celebrations such as the Living Way of the Cross, a re-enactment of Jesus' walk to the crucifix held every year. At St. Martin de Porres Church, created in 1988 out of three black congregations, members recalled how he listened to their anger.
''He visited our church several times to walk among the people, to walk among the poor,'' said Liz Becnel, 46, a sacristan at the church. ''He talked to people and listened to what they had to say. He was gracious and tried to help people understand why the mergers had to happen.''
In Tristate sermons and petitions, the cardinal's name mingled with that of activist Buddy Gray, whose murder Friday in Over-the-Rhine stunned a city already grieving the loss of a churchman renowned for his social justice leadership.
''Buddy Gray used his life on behalf of the needy and the poor,'' recalled the Rev. George Jacquemin at St. Anthony Church in Madisonville. ''Cardinal Joseph Bernardin used his gifts and talents as a reconciler, as a peacemaker ... until his death'' from pancreatic cancer.
At Our Lady of Tepeyac in Chicago, the cardinal's picture sat among others of the recently deceased, in a shrine decorated with incense and candles. Members of the predominately Mexican church said the cardinal, as the son of immigrants, understood many of their concerns.
''He was an inspiration to us here. He was a very gentle man, very understanding with the Spanish-speaking community,'' said Epifanio Castillo, 62.
Our Lady of Tepeyac is another recent creation, the result of a merger that angered many. But the Rev. Jim Miller said the cardinal
eased the resentment.
''Amid all the sadness and hardship of it, the cardinal tried to be as supportive as he could,'' Father Miller said.
Back in Ohio, priests at Our Lady of Victory in Delhi Township allowed the cardinal's own words to echo from their pulpit. They played an audiotaped homily that Cardinal Bernardin gave in September 1995 when he officiated at family friend Tricia Ramundo's confirmation.
''Cincinnati and the many friends I have here are still very much a part of my heart,'' the cardinal began, ensuring the teen-agers whom he would confirm that they belonged to his family, ''the family of God.''
Sympathetic to young people's desire ''to belong,'' Cardinal Bernardin urged them to resist material wealth, sex and power.
''Will you belong to a world that prizes service over power, peace over violence, justice over money, love over pleasure?'' he asked. ''That is my prayer for you.''
Published Nov. 18, 1996.
Published Nov. 18, 1996.
