Heroes – Bob and Carol Lubic

What can I say about my parents? Without their faith-filled example, I would not be what I am today. They truly epitomized the ideal of Christian parenthood. I cannot help but be moved as I contemplate the sacrifices they willingly made to raise five sons and provide them with a Catholic education and a college education. My saintly mother taught us that making time for God was the most important thing we needed to do. In an age when many people

fit Mass into their crowded weekends, she provided a powerful counter-example: for us the weekend was what we fit around Mass. My dad taught us not so much by what he said, but by how he lived. In his own quiet way it was obvious that he took his faith quite seriously; he powerfully showed us boys that there was nothing at all "unmanly" about faith.

My mother was a strong Irish woman with even stronger opinions. We always knew where we stood with her. I will always remember the first time I mentioned to her that I was thinking about becoming a priest. Her reply was priceless: “You, a priest? I could see your brother Patrick; he’s such a nice person. But you?” Yep, she never shrank from speaking her mind! I think I inherited that quality from her. (And it has gotten me in trouble on more than one occasion!) Of course, by the time of my ordination she was bursting with pride.

My dad, on the other hand, took to the idea immediately. Perhaps he saw through the less-than-stellar exterior to an interior that was not that bad after all. As I look back I realize that I couldnot have asked for more supportive parents as I journeyed towards my priestly ordination.

The saddest day of my life was 21 July 1999 when my mother passed away as the result of brain surgery to remove an arterial venal malformation. I do not think one is ever truly prepared to lose a parent, but the shock and pain seems so much worse, when the loss occurs during the prime of that parent’s life (my mother was only 56). However, my mother left me a precious gift that strengthened and sustained me in those dark hours. Faith in Christ Jesus and His triumph over death – the faith which she handed on to me- not only got me through the tragedy but even gave to the strength to celebrate and preach her funeral Mass. I have the consolation of knowing that my mother got to experience the first three years of my priesthood. And I have the joy of remembering the great pride she took in her son “the priest.” About a month before her death, my parish, Mount Saint Peter in New Kensington, PA, held a farewell celebration for me, as I was being transferred to a new parish. My mother called me a few days before and asked if she could come. I am so happy that she did. She was positively beaming with pride all evening as people talked to her about her son, “Fr. Bob.” I will always cherish the memories of that evening, an evening when her delight in me was evident for all to see. And I take comfort in the knowledge that from her home in heaven she still takes delight in watching me grow in my priestly ministry.

I have the consolation of knowing that my mother got to experience the first three years of my priesthood. And I have the joy of remembering the great pride she took in her son “the priest.” About a month before her death, my parish, Mount Saint Peter in New Kensington, PA, held a farewell celebration for me, as I was being transferred to a new parish. My mother called me a few days before and asked if she could come. I am so happy that she did. She was positively beaming with pride all evening as people talked to her about her son, “Fr. Bob.” I will always cherish the memories of that evening, an evening when her delight in me was evident for all to see. And I take comfort in the knowledge that from her home in heaven she still takes delight in watching me grow in my priestly ministry.

I was blest to have such a loving mother for 33 years; I am still blest to have my father. I pray that as I continue through life that I will be able to live up to the example of Christian living they so lovingly gave me.