‘He was one of the giants in the breadth and scope of his ministry’

By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily at the funeral Mass for Father Sean Mulcahy, who died April 10, 2025. The Mass was celebrated April 16, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oakland Park.

Today, we commend the soul of Father Sean Mulcahy to our loving and merciful Father, whom he served as a priest of the Church for almost 60 years. He was one of the giants – maybe not in physical stature, but certainly in the breadth and scope of his ministry.

Pope Francis once told priests, “Please, let us not remain barricaded in the sacristy and cultivate small, closed groups where we can pamper ourselves and be comfortable. There is a world waiting for the Gospel and the Lord wants his shepherds to be conformed to him, carrying in their hearts and on their shoulders the expectations and burdens of the flock. Open, compassionate and merciful hearts.”

Well, Father Mulcahy was about doing just that – and long before Pope Francis appeared on the scene. Whether driving an 18-wheeler loaded with food, or counseling a troubled soul, whether organizing festivals to help the poor, or dancing Irish jigs, Father Mulcahy was truly a giant of a man, a giant of a priest. His motto was, “Always do the loving thing.”

The archdiocese – as well as the many people whom Father touched in his long ministry – is grateful to the Mulcahy family for the gift of this man, who like so many of his countrymen, came from Ireland to minister here in Florida.

A special word of condolence – but also of thanks – to Nora Rienzo, who took such careful care of Father in his later years.

An old hymn has these words: Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

It is in this “blessed assurance” that we find an approach to grieving that brings peace and healing – rather than the despair of those who grieve without faith.

This blessed assurance is manifested in the prayer of the Church, and this prayer both reflects and shapes the faith of the entire Church according to the principle, lex orandi, lex credenti. For example, in the Preface of the Dead, we pray, "Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed, not ended."

And in the Apostles’ Creed, probably the most ancient catechesis of the Church, we say:

I believe in the Holy Spirit

the holy Catholic Church

the communion of saints

the forgiveness of sins

the resurrection of the body

and life everlasting.

This communion of saints unites all the baptized – those who are saints in heaven, the holy souls on their way of purgation to heaven, and we, the living here on earth. We are all united around Jesus’ cross and resurrection – around the Paschal Mystery that is made present in and through this Eucharistic celebration.

And so, in this communion of saints, we pray for Father Mulcahy, and we pray for those who grieve his passing, although, to be sure, at 88, there are probably more friends and family in heaven to welcome him than those here left behind to bid him farewell.

The priesthood is a beautiful vocation – to be a man for others, to bring men to God and God to men. This is an immense treasure, and as St. Paul reminds us, it is a treasure that we carry in earthen vessels – the earthen vessels of our frail humanity. And so, we invoke God’s loving mercy on his soul and ask for him the joy and peace of eternal life in the communion of the most Blessed Trinity.

As priests we know our own human frailty, and so we are not shy in asking for prayers for him – and, when we die, we beg your prayers for us, confident that the love of Jesus Christ who gave us the gift of the priesthood is stronger than death. We pray confidently, comforted by the words of St. Paul: “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we persevere, we shall also reign with him.”

In gratitude for his faith, his long years of priestly service, and his perseverance in his vocation, we commend him to Mary, the mother of all priests, whom we invoke as Queen of the Apostles.

In Ireland, where he will be buried in County Clare, there is found written on an old headstone these words:

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord! May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.