When I learned that The Basilica was looking for a Managing Director of Mission Advancement, I was immediately interested. Since moving to Minneapolis and the Loring Park neighborhood, The Basilica has been my local parish. I am grateful that The Basilica has become an integral part of my family’s life and growth. My wife, Maxine, and I were married here. Our labrador retriever, Pippin, has attended the Blessing of the Animals. He was so eager for his blessing that when it was his turn he practically leapt into Fr. Gillespie’s arms. A moment of gratitude more recently has been walking with our son to mass after his long NICU stay. During that time, The Basilica was a needed place of calm and comfort as we lit candles and prayed for him.
As we have spent more time at The Basilica, we have continuously felt welcomed into this wonderful community. After one of the first masses we attended with our son, Maxine and I were APPROACHED by another couple with young kids who introduced themselves and let us know about the informal family gatherings after mass. We love that the parish offers an opportunity to meet families like ours in addition to families and individuals from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of life, all connected by our shared Catholic faith.
While I knew The Basilica’s mission and vision were close to my heart, as I went through the interview process and learned more about the role and The Basilica as a workplace, my excitement to join the staff only grew. Not surprisingly I found a supportive staff and leadership who do not shy away from taking on big challenges. From serving guests through the St Vincent de Paul ministries to creating inspiring music and art to facilitating a caring and supportive community in a time when it is not always easy to do. Not to mention the restoration of a century-old landmark. I have found that this work is done with a high level of skill and professionalism that makes me even more proud to be a parishioner.
Professionally and personally, I have always kept gratitude at the center of what I do. For myself gratitude starts with being grateful for God’s love and what He has given me. Practicing gratitude has always been a way for me to better recognize and appreciate those gifts. As my professional and faith lives converge at The Basilica, the gratitude I feel in both ways converges and takes on a higher meaning. When I first met Fr. Daniel, he recommended the book The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Nouwen writes that gratitude does not always come easily and that we must practice it in a disciplined way. One way I have done that is seek out community, which aligns with Nouman who says, “None of us can achieve a life of gratitude alone.”
As I join The Basilica staff, I am grateful to The Basilica community and to each individual who has a part in creating that community and supporting The Basilica’s mission. I am also grateful to be in a position to give back to a parish that has meant so much to me and my family. I look forward to getting to know people who share that gratitude and to steward that into meaningful action. I hope you will join me in practicing gratitude to more fully realize God’s gifts and the wonders that are happening at The Basilica.
