In his first Sunday as Chicago's Roman Catholic Archbishop Blase Cupich signaled his priorities, saying Mass at Chicago's West Side St. Agatha's parish.
Cupich told the predominantly African-American parishioners, "I welcome you to my heart."
The crowd -- standing room only -- started arriving more than an hour before the service. No one has missed the significance of Cupich's first visit. From the large choir swaying to the music "the Lord hears the cry of the poor" to the small children dressed in their school uniforms who were part of the procession.
Just eight years ago, the former pastor Daniel McCormack, now defrocked, was first accused of abusing children at St. Agatha's. He pled guilty and served jail time and remains at a mental health facility as even more accusations have surfaced even this year. The Archdiocese has paid more than $20 million in civil suit claims.
Today's gospel preached, "You were hungry and you gave me food ... in prison you visited me." Cupich used his homily to say, "We've all experienced what it's like to lose someone." He noted that "disrespect can tie us up like a knot."
Cupich singled out Bible study programs, food pantries, classes for parents and outreach at Christmas to say, "there is a bigger picture."
"I said I wanted to be a witness to the risen Lord, where the Lord is rising," Cupich said. When he said, "You are teaching me how to be the archbishop of Chicago," he received applause from the congregation.
Cupich recognized former pastor Matt Foley and current pastor Larry Dowling for their good work. He never mentioned McCormack by name but said, "My heart breaks for all of the things one of your pastors did -- that's not the way a leader should act. But also my heart aches for the good priests who are suffering, too."
As Cupich assumes his new role, Chicagoans are quickly recognizing his signature style -- telling a few jokes. Cupich said he enjoyed the upbeat music, telling them, "I have an idea for a new TV show, 'St. Agatha's Got Talent.'"
Cupich chose St. Agatha's as the first of three ethnic parishes he will visit the first three Sundays. Next week he will say Mass in Little Village at the largest Hispanic parish. The following week he will be at a Polish church on the city's Northwest Side.
