I see I didn’t answer all of your questions. Msgr. Fleming was a joy to work with. His previous office person had left and together we tried to figure out little notes on her calendar pages, like “Don’t forget the whatits for the widgits.” His sermons were a rarity—so simple and heartfelt and full of truth. Rutler was always too high-falutin for me. I think I actually walked out on one of them it was so boring.
Things Fleming said that I remember:
About all the volunteers: “They do it because they love God.”
About the holidays and all the fluff and fuss: “We all have so many obligations and so many things to do around Christmastime, but go where you are invited.” That is so important—to receive invitations lovingly and graciously amd to show up and contribute yourself to the gathering that someone has created for you. (Quotes might not be exactly accurate.)
He wrote personal letters to the parishioners who gave in the special collections, like the Catholic education collection.
He was an all-around great man. Wish I could remember more.
I can’t help with the biography. Sorry. I know people who still go there (Our Saviour). I went to Maryknoll, a few blocks north, right after I left there. I could write a book about that place!
Fr. Rutler is now the administrator of Holy Innocents. Please (continue to) pray that Holy Innocents will not be closed.