by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
At the Nov. 20 meeting of the Presbyteral Council, I invited the members of the council to share memories of Archbishop James P. Keleher’s impact upon their lives.
Archbishop Keleher preferred for people to address him as “Arch Jim.” It was inspiring to hear the many ways that “Arch Jim” had touched the lives of each priest in similar but unique ways.
I am personally grateful to have had Archbishop Keleher as a mentor and friend. From the first day I arrived in the archdiocese, Archbishop Keleher encouraged and supported me. When I succeeded him as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on Jan. 15, 2005, it happened to be the day of Catholic Charities’ Snow Ball. Archbishop immediately dubbed it my “Inauguration Ball.”
Archbishop Keleher told me that he was eager to help me in any way possible, except for attending meetings. He was generous in celebrating several confirmations every year. Archbishop Keleher had a special compassion for those who were hurting or struggling. During his retirement years, the archbishop made it a priority to celebrate Mass in prisons.
Archbishop Keleher assembled around him a remarkable group of priests, religious and lay leaders to assist him with his responsibilities for the governance and administration of the archdiocese. During his more than 12 years of serving as the archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, he identified important pastoral needs and discerned effective ways to address them. We are still benefiting from many of Archbishop Keleher’s priorities and decisions.
When many dioceses were closing Catholic elementary and secondary schools, Archbishop Keleher made the decision to open a new school, St. James Academy. Today, St. James has the largest enrollment of our high schools. Already, four alums of St. James are serving as priests in the archdiocese, and seven of our seminarians are St. James graduates.
Archbishop Keleher loved young people and promoted the importance of youth ministry. It was under his leadership that Prairie Star Ranch was purchased and opened, providing great summer youth camp experiences.
With the encouragement of clergy and lay leaders, he began the plans to build Santa Marta Continuing Care Retirement Community. Today, it is one of the premiere retirement communities in the Kansas City metro area. It was during his time that Catholic Community Hospice began caring for those approaching death and their families.
Archbishop Keleher laid the groundwork to begin the permanent diaconate program in the archdiocese. Today, we have more than 60 permanent deacons serving in parochial and archdiocesan ministries.
“Arch Jim” created a culture in the archdiocese that fosters and supports vocations to the priesthood. He personally made the priesthood attractive because of his own joyful priestly ministry. Previous to Archbishop Keleher’s ordination as bishop, he spent most of his priestly ministry in his native Chicago helping with the formation of future priests. Archbishop Keleher was instrumental in starting additional Serra Club chapters in the archdiocese. Serrans are laymen and -women who pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
People liked to be around Archbishop Keleher because of his joy and humor. He loved and treasured his Catholic faith and was eager to share it with others. Archbishop Keleher had a genuine love and concern for people. It did not matter to him if you were a major donor or serving a life sentence in prison. He was comfortable being around business leaders and Catholic Charities’ clients. For him, each person was a reflection of God, because they were made in the divine image.
I give thanks for the life and ministry of Archbishop Keleher. I will forever be grateful for his friendship, example and support. Sometime in the not too distant future, a new archbishop will be named to shepherd this amazing archdiocese. Pray for me that I will welcome my successor with the same fraternal kindness and support as “Arch Jim” welcomed me 20 years ago.
