Monsignor Michael Glynn

Msgr. Michael Joseph Glynn went to his eternal reward on November 12, 2007. He was born on December 3, 1918 in Knockbrack, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland. He was ordained on June 9, 1946 in Moyne Park, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland, for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson. He was elevated to the title of Honorary Prelate (Monsignor) on December 4, 1976.

As a priest, he served the following assignments—
March 26, 1947 – Assistant, St. Paul , Vicksburg ;
October 6, 1954 – Assistant, Sacred Heart, Hattiesburg ;
June 1, 1955 – Pastor, All Saints, Belzoni;
September 26, 1957 – First Pastor of Holy Family, Jackson;
May 12, 1967 – Pastor, Sacred Heart, Pascagoula ;
July 15, 1970 - Pastor, St. Paul, Vicksburg;
August 16, 1977 – Pastor, St. Francis, Brookhaven;
September 15, 1981 – Associate Pastor, St. Richard, Jackson ;
April 12, 1982 – Ordinary Confessor to the Carmelite Nuns, Jackson;
February 22, 1993 – Intermittent Catholic Chaplain, V.A. Hospital , Jackson ;
December 1, 1993; – Senior priest at St. Richard; 2001 – Retired.

He also served on numerous boards in the diocese. He will always be remembered for his dedication to his parish and to the kids at Saint Richard Elementary School. He always had a smile on his face and plenty of prayer cards to give out. He truly was a remarkable man to have known for literally my whole life. He was present at every major event in my life that I can remember.

He is survived by his sister, Norah Glynn (a religious sister) of Dublin, Ireland; sister-in-law, Joan Woods of Waltham, MA and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Prayer Vigil at St. Richard, Jackson, on Friday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, November 17, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Richard Church. (No burial will take place as he has given his body to science.)

Following from a distance

In Matthew 26, we see where Christ is arrested and led off to be tried. When he is being led off, Peter does not follow closely like the close friend he claimed to be. Instead, “Peter followed him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside, he sat with the guards to see the end.”

Has there ever been a time where you have felt as if a friend had deserted you in a time of need? Have you ever done that to a friend? Peter, after having told Christ he would go no one else, only followed Christ from a distance, perhaps so that he would not be recognized as a friend of Christ. But wouldn’t a true friend want to be there front and center the whole time and not just in the back to see the end?

I am not questioning whether or not Peter was a true friend of Christ. We know that he truly was a friend. He just buckled under the pressure of an event that he probably never thought would happen. But when it was over he sought forgiveness.

“Cafeteria Christians” are those who only follow what makes them feel most comfortable and what they personally approve of, disregarding the rest of the teachings of Christ and his Church. Are these true friends? Are you one of these?

Do you ever follow Christ from a distance?