Q. Who are the people who inspire your faith life?
A. The canonized saints first of all, and then there are those people that I have had the pleasure of serving over 50 years in the priesthood.

I am fortunate that every place that I have been and every work that I have undertaken there have always been people outstanding for their Catholic faith who have helped me to monitor my own performance. Those people helped inspire me.

It is difficult to pick out one or two particular heroes.

Those who are familiar with Padre Pio of Pietrelcina know the apparent favor with which God dealt in his priesthood and his life as a priest and confessor.

Mother Teresa’s work is well-known and everyone has always admired her for her dedication to the poor and the disadvantaged, and for her good example to the world.

Given the circumstances of the time, Pope John Paul II certainly gave us an example of a high order of duty in the papacy.

I think the same can be said about Pope Benedict XVI. We are fortunate that he is still active in the Church, praying for the papacy and the success of the Church. I hope that he continues to write.

One thing that was always impressive about Benedict was that he had an extraordinarily clear mind and could express the teachings of the Church beautifully, but clearly so that they are accessible to all of us.

All these people continue to inspire.

I think that as a priest for half a century, I find that Catholic people perhaps are the biggest inspiration, especially considering the people who make the effort to attend daily Mass in today’s demanding and busy world.

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