We were going to surprise him for his birthday. For a number of months, my brother Joe, a good friend Tim Trout and I were going to fly to Philadelphia and surprise Cardinal Justin Rigali for his 70th birthday. But history changed our plan. Just a few days earlier, the Servant of God, John Paul II was called home to "His Father's House". The Cardinals a week or so later entered the Conclave and then on April 19th elected our dear Holy Father to the Chair of Peter. And the rest is history, but no surprise party for the Cardinal on this birthday. He did however receive a "Happy Birthday" from the Holy Father however on the day of his election. Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday.
And so on this day and in the name of the good people of the Catholic Church of East Tennessee, i wish to offer our best wishes to two great men of the Church, Pope Benedict and Justin Cardinal Rigali!
Ad Multos Annos!!!
