Family, friends, fellow bishops, priests and religious, and the faithful traveled from in and out of state to attend Bishop Kevin Kenney’s ordination on a blustery, sunny Oct. 28 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
The day held special meaning for Mary Kathryn Peterson. A cousin of Bishop Kenney, Peterson is a soprano with the St. Olaf choir and sang at the episcopal ordination.
“It was very moving,” she said of the ordination. “It was a wonderful experience to see a family member of mine ascend to this position. … I know that he will excel in it as he has done at St. Olaf, and it’s just a great joy to get to watch him do this.”
“It’s a packed house, so that’s pretty exciting,” observed Michael Bauer, as people filled the Cathedral’s pews. Bauer, who is in his second year of formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul and is a member of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, said it was his first time attending an episcopal ordination — “I’m excited about that.”
It was also Anne McGraw’s first time attending an episcopal ordination. “It’s exciting to see; there’s a feeling of happiness in celebrating and carrying on the traditions of our faith,” said McGraw, a member of Our Lady of Grace in Edina.
McGraw — who recently moved back to the Twin Cities area from Chicago — attended Bishop Kenney’s ordination with a friend she originally met in school. “There’s something to be said about Catholic schools, that sense of community that you had, and then all these years later have a friend call and say, ‘Hey, do you want to go to the bishop’s ordination?'”
Members of St. Olaf in Minneapolis and Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul, and students of Annunciation and DeLaSalle schools, both in Minneapolis, among others, stepped off buses and into the gathering crowd at the Cathedral. Meanwhile, a mariachi band performed on the Cathedral’s front steps, inviting singing and dancing from those present, including Bishop Kenney.
Martha Flores, who came to know Bishop Kenney about 13 years ago, expressed her happiness seeing Bishop Kenney take on a new role.
“I’m blessed to know (Bishop) Kevin” said Flores, a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Reflecting on his impact at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Flores mentioned his kindness and that “when the people need something, he is ready to help.”
A few pews away from Flores were members of St. Olaf’s African International Choir.
“We love him, and God loves him; and he’s doing the will of God,” said Kumbah Cole about Bishop Kenney and his ordination. “We’re happy for him.”
“He’s just the best,” said Theresa Alada, of St. Olaf, echoing appreciation for Bishop Kenney. “Whatever position he has is well deserved. He deserves it. He’s so nice, (a) wonderful man.”
“He is a good man, a good pastor who loves everybody,” agreed Immaculate Morgan, of St. Olaf. “He is there for us, and that’s why we are here.”
“He makes us feel at home,” Alada said.
“He makes sure we don’t forget where we come from,” said Eugenia Anah, of St. Olaf, mentioning Bishop Kenney’s celebration of the African Mass at St. Olaf. “We are overwhelmed, because he deserves the position (as bishop).”
Anah said she is looking forward to Bishop Kenney confirming her son, who has special needs. Anah said people — like Bishop Kenney and Father John Forliti, who celebrated her son’s first Communion at St. Olaf — “they are next to God, and I’m very grateful.”
In terms of Bishop Kenney’s new role, Cole said she hoped he could “continue to do the good work he has been doing.”
During the reception following the ordination, Kevin Elder reflected on his friendship with Bishop Kenney. “We used to be part of a group that, to battle the Monday ‘scaries,’ we’d get together on Sunday nights and play games and drink wine,” said Elder, a member of Our Lady of Grace.
Seeing his friend’s episcopal ordination “was just so incredible … and yet, so appropriate, so fitting. He’s always been the same guy, all the time.” Elder said.
Meanwhile, Debbra Korkowski, of St. Olaf, said she enjoyed watching those gathered for the ordination cheer when Bishop Kenney presented his mandate from Pope Francis: “It’s nice to see that smile on his face.”
Elder said he prays Bishop Kenney “continues to grow in wisdom and strength in the Lord. And that he just knows how perfect this (role) is for him, because it really is.”
Meanwhile, Bauer said he hopes Bishop Kenney “is able to live out the life of an apostle, and I think it’s really cool that he’s getting ordained on the feast day of the apostles (Sts. Simon and Jude). I pray that the Lord’s blessing will be upon him, that he’ll be able to spread his apostolic blessing to many people.”
It was a joyful message Bishop Kenney sought to impart on those gathered in the Cathedral and watching via television or livestream at home: “Let us be renewed, let us go forth, filled with joy,” the bishop said toward the end of his remarks. Like the mariachi band that played prior to the ordination, Bishop Kenney encouraged the faithful be joyful “as we continue to dance through life, as we continue to welcome Jesus into our hearts.”
