Chat 2005: Cardinal Mahony online chat

On Friday, February 18, 2005, ChurchWerks.com hosted an online chat session with Cardinal Roger Mahony from the main Exhibit Hall at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif. First, students from St. Andrew's School in Pasadena, Calif., joined in for a private chat with the Cardinal and then the room was opened up to others to join the session.

Our thanks to Steve McBrady of ChurchWerks for arranging this session, and to Collin McBrady for hosting and providing the transcript. Also, thanks to Ellie Hidalgo of The Tidings for help with moderating the chat.

Teacher 7: Good Morning
CardinalMahony: hello!
CardinalMahony: St. Andrew's 7th graders?

sas9lab9: hola it is chynna
student27: This is St. Andrew School
CardinalMahony: Terrific!!

STUDENT 32: Hello Cardinal Mahony. How are you?
sas9lab9: How are you today? is it raining where you are?
CardinalMahony: Is this St. Andrew's??

sas9lab9: hello
student12: Hello Cardinal Mahony
CardinalMahony: This is an obvious problem with modern communications! Doesn't always work!!
CardinalMahony: Anyone have a question??

STUDENT25: WHAT DO U DO ON A DAILY BASIS?
Teacher 7: Is it raining in Anaheim?
CardinalMahony: Where did all the 7th graders go??

student29: Sorry about the technical difficulties!:)
student 31: Hello, Cardinal Mahony. What are your basic duties as Cardinal?
student7: What are some of the daily things or responsibilities you take up as a cardinal?
CardinalMahony: A lot of time is spent on assigning priests to parishes, celebrating Masses, and attending meetings.

student 34: Cardinal Mahoney how did you become a cardinal and did you want to be a cardinal?
student30: Is it fun being a Cardinal?
CardinalMahony: Obviously, the best things I do are celebrate Mass and the Sacraments.

student11: Do you like working with the other cardinals?
student5: As a cardinal, do you get to decide things that help portrait the catholic church?
CardinalMahony: The Pope appoints bishops and archbishops as Cardinals, and we don't have anything to do with the process.

Daniel 21: What do YOU think of the life of St. Francis?
CardinalMahony: Anything further about St. Francis? What do you like best about his wonderful life?

student11: That St. Francis got to interact with animals!!!
sas19lab19: All of us have a million questions to ask you so the maximum of questions are being reviewed by the moderator and it is slowing everything down
student6 (leaves)
student21 (leaves)
sas19lab19 (leaves)
sas19lab19 (leaves)
collinm (leaves)
Daniel (leaves)
student22 (leaves)
student12 (leaves)
Student\Number21! (leaves)
CardinalMahony: Did we lose St. Andrew's??
CardinalMahony: Do we have all of the 7th graders back??

student5: do you travel the world?
student6: Do you like to travel?
sas14lab14: Have you met the pope in person?
Student6: Is your job exciting?
CardinalMahony: Very busy, but very rewarding. I get to see the Pope quite a bit, and to travel around the Western States.

Student23: How is the life of the cardinal been for you?
student12: How is your day going?
student 31: How are you doing? What is church life like?
student7: What are some of the things you do as a cardinal?
CardinalMahony: Each day is different, and sometimes very challenging. But we place ourselves in God's hands and continue forward.

Student22: How do priests get elected to be an exorcist?
CardinalMahony: Priests are appointed by the Bishop for this special ministry. Let's hope we don't need it very often.

sas14lab14: How long did it take you to be a cardinal?
STUDENT 32: How did they come up with the name Cardinal? Was it difficult to become a Cardinal?
CardinalMahony: The word "Cardinal" comes from the Latin word for "hinge." The Cardinals were understood to be special advisors to the Pope, almost hinges to help the Pope.

sas14lab14: How long have you been a cardinal?
sas19lab19: hello my name is Peter, do you enjoy being a cardinal
student 34: Cardinal Mahoney how did you become a cardinal and why
sas17lab17: What year were you ordained a bishop?
CardinalMahony: I was appointed a Cardinal in 1991, and the years have been wonderful and joyous.

STUDENT 32: What is your favorite T.V. show?
student 31: Do you like to eat candy?
student5: Do you like cartoons?
CardinalMahony: I don't get to watch much TV, but I like news, Discovery Channel, and History Channel the most.

STUDENT 32: What did you give up for lent?
CardinalMahony: If we tell everyone what we give up for Lent, we lessen the value of our penance. Best to let only God know!!

sas14lab14: how long have you been with the church?
student30: How long have you been a cardinal
student10: how long have you been a cardinal for?
CardinalMahony: I have been a priest since 1962, and a bishop since 1975.
CardinalMahony: What do you like best about the life of St. Francis??

Moderator: Noel asked this question: Your Eminence, Where do you see the role of Pastoral Associates in the next 5 years? Are the pastors ready for this role in their parishes?
CardinalMahony: We will continue to have more laymen and laywomen involved actively in the ministries of the Church. I am very much in favor of Pastoral Associates, and hope to see them expanded. Like anything in the Church, it will take time for priests and people to understand and accept this new role.
CardinalMahony: The Pastoral Associates I have seen in parishes function wonderfully!

sas16lab16: Where do u live?
Moderator: From Joseph: Now that the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is completed, what are your thoughts about it? Are you satisfied? What things might you have hoped had gone differently?
student23: How do you like Mass at the cathedral?
CardinalMahony: The new Cathedral has been an extraordinary source of grace for thousands of people, and it has far exceeded any of our dreams. It is a real grace for our Church and our city.
CardinalMahony: The only thing I wish we would have done differently: we should have put in more underground parking! We have room for 625 cars, but it's not enough. Wish we had space for 850 cars.
CardinalMahony: Many examples of God's love and mercy being poured forth upon people at the Cathedral.

Moderator: sas14lab14: who is the most recent person to have stigmata
CardinalMahony: I am not certain who the latest person to receive the stigmata might be. Maybe Google can help here!!

student7: you really enjoy Google, huh?
student12: How long did it take to become a Cardinal?
Daniel 21: How long have you been a Cardinal? Have you been a priest/deacon/bishop anywhere else?
CardinalMahony: I was ordained a priest in 1962, and served in Fresno, CA until 1980. I was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno in 1975. After that, Bishop of Stockton in 1980; then Archbishop of Los Angeles in 1985.

STUDENT 32: How long have you been a Cardinal?
CardinalMahony: I was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1991 in Rome.

Student5: Cardinal, do you think the Catholic Roman Church will ever split into a Catholic American Church?
CardinalMahony: Absolutely not. The Church here in the USA is very much alive, and very faithful and loyal to our Holy Father and the Universal Church. We are members of the Body of Christ through the successor of Peter, our Holy Father.

student 31: Congress offers many types of liturgical experiences. What type is your favorite?
CardinalMahony: The Youth Day Mass yesterday was fantastic. But there are so many different Mass celebrations here, hard to pick a favorite. I try to get to all of them over the years.

student1: what grammer school did you go to????????
student10: What inspired you to be a priest?
Daniel 21: What made you decide to become a priest?
CardinalMahony: In St. Charles grammar school we had many younger priests and Sisters who encouraged us to think about being priests and Sisters. That was where my own vocation began.

student6: How did you get inspired to commit you life to God?
CardinalMahony: Any of you thinking about serving Christ and the Church as priests or Sisters?

student24: How often do you say mass at the cathedral?
CardinalMahony: I celebrate the 10:00 AM Mass each Sunday, and the 7:00 AM daily Mass often. I love it!!
CardinalMahony: Anyone there thinking about being a priest or Sister??

student3: student 28 wants to become a priest
Daniel 21: javier/student28 wants to become a priest.
student11: where does the name cardinal come from?
CardinalMahony: The word "cardinal" comes from the Latin word for "hinge." The early Cardinals were seen as special helpers, or hinges, for the Pope.

student 31: How do you distinguish between religious truths and scientific truths?
CardinalMahony: Tough question. I truly believe there is no conflict at all; God is the Creator of all things, including "truth". Can't be a conflict between the two.

student24: What's your favorite room in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels?
CardinalMahony: I love the Sanctuary the best. The Main Altar is awesome, a great sign of our faith in God and in the Eucharist. After that, the beautiful Crucifix behind the Altar.
CardinalMahony: Have you all visited the new Cathedral??

student24: Yes, I've been there! I Love it!
sas14lab14: I have been into your church and I think it is beautiful.
student34 : do you have advice for two people who are fighting?
CardinalMahony: Sure! Stop it!!
CardinalMahony: God expects us to work out our differences in non-violent ways, not through fights. Fights always result when our pride gets in the way, or when we want to control others.

STUDENT 32: how many priests and deacons are in our world today?
CardinalMahony: Sorry, I don't know for sure! Check Google. But in our Archdiocese, we have about 950 priests, 150 deacons, and 5 million Catholics.

student10: what do you think you would've been if you didn't become a priest?
CardinalMahony: Never really thought about an alternative. From early on I was drawn to being a priest, and never looked back.

STUDENT 32 (leaves)
student 26 (leaves)
student2 (leaves)
sas17lab17 (leaves)
student10 (leaves)
student6 (leaves)
sas15lab15 (leaves)
student 31 (leaves)
student5 (leaves)
sas14lab14 (leaves)
student24 (leaves)
BRONSON (leaves)
student3 (leaves)
sas9lab9 (leaves)
sas19lab19 (leaves)
sas18lab18 (leaves)
sas11 (leaves)
student34 (leaves)
hilloryn16 (leaves)
student4 (login)
student27 (leaves)
student30 (leaves)
student4 (leaves)
student6 (login)
student7 (leaves)
student 28 (leaves)
student6 (leaves)
STUDENT25 (leaves)
Daniel 21 (leaves)
CardinalMahony: Sorry! I stepped on the power strip, and it turned everything off!!

student23: Would you like to become a saint someday
CardinalMahony: We are all called to live each day like good disciples of Jesus Christ. All are called to be saints!

Student27: Have you ever had braces?
CardinalMahony: No, never had braces. But my dentist suggested it recently--I told her that after 68 years, I will just keep the teeth the way I got them.

hilloryn16: what do you say to pracrastanaters/ might be how to spell it
CardinalMahony: Good practice: try to accomplish each day the more important things. Never fall behind, and you can work wonders!!

Moderator: From Dan: Seeing that there is such a need for priests in the Roman rite, do you think the Church will allow married men to become priest? Would you support married priest?
CardinalMahony: We have had married priests in the Catholic Church since St. Peter. Whether we will have them in the Latin Rite of our Church is not up to me, but the Church.

Daniel 21: I'm sorry, we must leave. Bye!! Was it as fun for you as it was for me?
CardinalMahony: It was just great! Let's do it again! Is it time for lunch???

Daniel 21: Its been fun talking Cardinal, have a good day!
sas9lab9: we have to go bye
student1: well were gonna be going now see you
student23: Thank you for your time I had a great time talking to you
From sas9lab9: Thank you very much.
CardinalMahony: God bless all of you!! Stay dry!!

Moderator: Thank you, Cardinal Mahony!
Daniel 21: Goodbye Cardinal, and thank you
sas9lab9: thanks cardinal
student1: Thank you for having us how are you on this rainy day. we have to be on are way now
student8: Thank you Cardinal
CardinalMahony: Thanks to all of you! Great fun, and very enriching!!
student8: thank you and gracias and have a nice day
student1: we've got to go - see u later

Read the transcripts from other Religious Education Congress online chats

Congress Chat History:
Beginning in 1996 on CompuServe, Cardinal Roger Mahony conducted the first nationwide, online (typing) live from Hall A at the Anaheim Convention Center. in 2001 the Cardinal suggested adding a private chat with students from a school in the Archdiocese. Since then, we have had the tradition of a private school chat.

Los Angeles Archbishop Jos� Gomez continued the tradition of a Congress Chat, and now we've expanded our chats to include regional bishops and schools from their region. This year, Bishop David O'Connell joins us for our sixth video chat with a school from his region.

with Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell of the San Gabriel Region

2019 (All Souls, Alhambra)

with Los Angeles Archbishop Jos� Gomez

2017 (St Francis of Assisi, L.A.) � 2016 (St Mary Magdalen, Camarillo) � 2015 (St Finbar School, Burbank) � 2014 (St Columbkille School, L.A.) � 2013 (St Bernard School, L.A.) � 2012 (St Dorothy School, Glendora) � 2011 (St Thomas School, L.A.)

with Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles

2010 � 2010 (St John Chrysostom School, Inglewood) � 2009 � 2009 (St Elisabeth, Van Nuys) � 2008 � 2008 (Sacred Heart, Covina) � 2007 � 2007 (St Benedict, Montebello) � 2007 (St Rita, Sierra Madre) � 2006 � 2006 (Holy Innocents, Long Beach) � 2005 � 2004 � 2003 � 2001 � 2001 (St Jerome, Westchester) � 2001 (Holy Family, South Pasadena) � 2000 � 1999 � 1998 � 1997 � 1996

with Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark of the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region

2002

2016 Marks 20 Years of Congress Chats — The first (typing) RECongress chat was held on Friday, February 23, 1996 on CompuServe with Cardinal Roger Mahony. Ten years later, on Friday, March 31, 2006, the Cardinal's annual chat was conducted in a room hosted on ChurchWerks.com. The Cardinal participated in 22 Congress chats (both nationwide and with schools) over 14 years.

At Congress 2016, Archbishop Jos� Gomez has continued the tradition of (now, video) chats with school students from the Archdiocese. This was his sixth Congress chat (and fourth video chat) conducted from the Tech Center, located in the center of Exhibit Hall A at the Religious Education Congress. The RECongress chat are now continued through the regional bishops, while the Archbishop now holds an event on Facebnook Live.

Beginning on CompuServe, the RECongress nationwide chats have been hosted by AOL Live! (1997-2000), Beliefnet (2001), CatholicWeb.com (2002-2003), and ChurchWerks.com (2004-2010). The school chats have been conducted on AOL (2001-2006), Yahoo (2007), Chatzy (2008-2012), Skype (2013-2014) and Google+ (2015-2016).