R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The calling to the priesthood is perhaps one of the
1-2 most blessed and rewarding experiences in a man's life; much
1-3 dedication, strength of character, wisdom, and gentleness of heart
1-4 are needed to embrace this challenging vocation; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The Reverend James F. McCabe, C.S.P., pastor of St.
1-6 Austin's Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, marks his 40th
1-7 anniversary of joyful service to the Lord as a Roman Catholic
1-8 priest; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The younger of two sons, Father McCabe was born on
1-10 November 1, 1930, to Peter and Anna McCabe in New York City, and
1-11 spent most of his young life in New York State until, upon
1-12 completion of his studies at St. Charles College in Baltimore,
1-13 Maryland, he took the first steps in answering that unique and
1-14 special calling to the priesthood; and
1-15 WHEREAS, In September 1950, he entered the novitiate of the
1-16 Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle, better known as the
1-17 Paulist Fathers, an American Roman Catholic order of priests whose
1-18 chief mission of evangelization, reconciliation, and ecumenism
1-19 attracted his energetic spirit; and
1-20 WHEREAS, During his formative years with the Paulists, this
1-21 fine young man prospered in his preparation, having completed his
1-22 studies at St. Paul's College in Washington, D.C., and studying,
1-23 growing, and discerning; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Throughout his years of study and preparatory work,
2-1 seminarian James F. McCabe's willingess to serve others, his
2-2 wisdom, and his pleasant demeanor quickly won the esteem and the
2-3 love of the people he encountered; and
2-4 WHEREAS, On May 11, 1957, now Deacon James F. McCabe, in the
2-5 presence of his family, fellow Paulists, and friends, was ordained
2-6 a Roman Catholic priest in the Paulist Mother Church of St. Paul
2-7 the Apostle in New York City; Father McCabe's first assignment upon
2-8 being ordained to the Order of Presbyter was to journey to San
2-9 Francisco, California, and serve as associate of Old St. Mary's
2-10 Church; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Since his ordination, Father McCabe has crisscrossed
2-12 the United States and Canada exercising his ministry in various
2-13 capacities, having served as associate pastor of the Paulist Mother
2-14 Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City; as associate
2-15 director of the Paulist Catholic Information Center in Baltimore,
2-16 Maryland, where he conducted classes for inquiring non-Catholics,
2-17 lectured throughout the archdiocese of Baltimore, and wrote a
2-18 weekly column in the Catholic Review; as director of the Family
2-19 Life Division for the Archdiocese of Baltimore where he also served
2-20 in various capacities such as chairman of the United States
2-21 Catholic Conference Committee on Family Worship and Spirituality;
2-22 as local superior of the Paulist Fathers where he facilitated the
2-23 community life of 10 to 14 Paulists who ranged in age from 25 to 86
2-24 and where he carefully guided the spiritual development of the
2-25 novices and theology students under his care; and crossed the
2-26 border into Canada where he served the Catholic Church of Toronto
2-27 for eight years as pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church; and
3-1 WHEREAS, In 1988, he was assigned to his present position as
3-2 pastor of St. Austin's Catholic Church, to which he brought the
3-3 same tenacity and dedication that were his hallmark in his previous
3-4 assignments; because of Father McCabe's foresight, many much-needed
3-5 improvements were brought about in his parish, including: the
3-6 establishment of the St. Austin's Small Christian Communities,
3-7 which allows the parish to let its members develop their
3-8 spirituality in a deeper and smaller setting; the creation of the
3-9 Families with Young Children ministry, to care for the spiritual
3-10 needs of the parish's young families; and the beautification of the
3-11 parish complex grounds, including the addition of a beautiful
3-12 courtyard, the acquisition of the parish office building, and the
3-13 remodeling of the church's rectory; and
3-14 WHEREAS, He remains faithful to his primary calling to spread
3-15 the Good News of the Gospel; through his carefully crafted and
3-16 inspirational homilies, his informative catechetical classes, his
3-17 patient manner with those needing spiritual guidance, and his
3-18 prayerful presence at Mass, Father McCabe has touched the lives of
3-19 many of the people who have come in contact with him; and
3-20 WHEREAS, It was with great sadness that the parishioners of
3-21 St. Austin's learned that this fine priest, having completed his
3-22 tenure at their parish, would soon be transferred to another area
3-23 of the country where the Good News needed to be heard and lived;
3-24 and
3-25 WHEREAS, Although it is with great sorrow that St. Austin's
3-26 watches its beloved pastor leave, it is grateful that, even for a
3-27 short time, it was blessed with his presence, and his time, talent,
4-1 and treasure; now, therefore, be it
4-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
4-3 Legislature hereby commend the Reverend James F. McCabe, C.S.P.,
4-4 for his outstanding 40 years of service to the Roman Catholic
4-5 Church, and specifically for his seven years of service to the
4-6 parishioners and staff of St. Austin's Catholic Church and wish him
4-7 many blessings and much success as he ventures forth to his new
4-8 assignment; and, be it further
4-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-10 prepared for Father McCabe as a token of the highest esteem by the
4-11 Texas House of Representatives.
Garcia
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 878 was adopted by the House on May
10, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House