In Parts 1 and 2 of this blog-series for the Catholic Review of Baltimore I highlighted the early days and local influences on the young man who grew up to lead the worldwide Vincentian Family as Superior General. Father Greg Gay, CM, whose family members are lifelong parishioners of Saint Stephen Church, is a native of Kingsville and a 1971 graduate of The John Carroll School, and has had a heart for serving the poor and disenfranchised since he was a teenager.
Read Part 1 and Part 2 on this series.
Called to Servant-Leadership:
Many people refer to leading by example. For Father Greg leadership means service. Hence his leadership roles over the years have supported and given strength to his Vincentian ministry with the poor. Here are the most recent roles in which Father Greg has served:
- Superior of the Province of Central America in 2000, serving for two terms;
- President of the Conference of Religious in Guatemala from 2003 to 2004;
- Election to Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission in July 2004.
The story continues with sections on
- Election to Superior-General
- Visitation in Israel
- Addressing the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization
- An Invitation to Mass with the New Holy Father
- A Holy Father with a “Vincentian Heart”
- Advice for Youth from Father Greg
- Conclusion
On Sharing the Vincentian Spirit and Charism:
It has been a real joy to share this blog-series about Father Greg: the “son of John Carroll and of the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” who grew his high school yearnings for dedication to God and the poor into a life of religious ministry and servant-leadership. Greg is the man who grew up in our backyards and now models for all of us how to follow Jesus’ Gospel message by treating every person he encounters, from popes to the poorest of the poor, as he would Jesus. May we follow his lead and treasure the dignity of each person we encounter along our life-journey.
“Whatsoever you do to the least of My people, that you do unto Me.”
Two-minute video from the Mary’s Miraculous Medal:
This touching two-minute video entitled “Why the Superior General Thanks Mary” was filmed at Mary’s Shrine in Philadelphia, where Father Greg tells about the time when a torrential storm hit the area where his pilgrim group was traveling from Costa Rica to Nicaragua wiping out roads on the eve of the Assumption and turning their prayers to the help of Our Lady.
10/11/2013 11:45:59 AM
By Patti Murphy Dohn
Tags: Gregory Gay, servant leadership, Superior General
