Last Night at the Proms

According to the MetroWest Daily News, Walter Cuenin's farewell in Newton drew "thousands"

"He welcomes everyone: single, divorced, married, remarried twice, Catholics, gays, Jews and those hanging on by their fingernails," said Mary Jane Gangi of Framingham. "This church is like a little piece of heaven. He's healing my heart. Who's going to heal my heart now?"

Thousands filled the church for Cuenin's last Mass because they believed in the priest who served them for 12 years. Downstairs the overflow, mostly standing, watched a big-screen television in Marguerite Furlong Hall and St. Jean's Hall. Parents cried softly while their children sat on the floor and looked at picture books, drew on scrap paper and ate animal crackers. The balance of the congregation stood in hallways and sat on steps.

"I came to this parish from St. Pat's," said Paula Panchuck of Natick. "It's a more open Christian setting to workshop. St. Pat's was using the altar as a political platform for gay marriages without looking at pros and cons. This church challenges and looks at both side of the issue rather than blindly looking at issues like the war in Iraq and gay marriages."

Cuenin's message yesterday had a familiar ring to it.

He reminisced about happier times and a visit from Mother Theresa. His memories shifted to the dark days of the sex abuse crisis. "We did what we could and stood tall and spoke up for the truth and we were banned," he said to parishioners. "I remember saying: 'If this is what is feels like to be banned, bring it on.'"

Hmmmmmm..... This story won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

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