7 AM Epiphany

Reflections on how amazing it is to live in the United States from Dublin born Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In this excerpt  from an oral history interview at Panera Bread on Eola Dr., July 12th, 2011, 28 years to the day of Fr. John's first arrival at St. James and 10 years after his return on September 11th, 2001, Fr. John states, "There is absolutely no question that God has blessed this country in ways that no other country has been blessed." He recalls eating hamburgers in Hog's Heaven when his Dirty Harry hero Clint Eastwood was Mayor of Carmel, and seeing the varied beauty of the great American landscape on vacation with friends. Regarding Orlando he says, "There's lots of life in Orlando right now to look forward to and to participate in. You just have to look in the mirror once and a while and realize how blessed we are."

Dublin born Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, shares his childhood memories of Christmas in this excerpt from an oral history interview at Panera Bread on Eola Drive, July 12th, 2011. He says, "The biggest feast day in Ireland by far, Christmas Day."

Past, present and future converge in this excerpt  from an oral history interview with Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.

During the 8am morning bustle at Panera Bread on Eola Drive on July 12th 2011, Fr. John shares perspectives on communication technology, education, and the growth of Orlando.

He says, "The future of Saint James Cathedral as a church downtown is intrinsically linked to how the life in the City of Orlando goes...The challenge is to know that all of this is happening around you in this wonderful city of ours...We all touch each other. We bump into each other and we effect each other's lives."

At 7 AM on December 24, 1975, Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, was ordained to the priesthood in Rome. After a lifetime of service to community, both here and abroad, Fr. John recalls the message of the Cardinal that early morning: "Always remember that you need to be Apostles of Joy. There's enough gloom and doom...Bring people hope. Give them something. Let them know they're loved. Let them know they have hope. Even in the midst of recessions... In the mosaic of life that you and I are a part of it and we happen to be living that mosaic here in Central Florida, in this beautiful city. That's the history and that's the way, what God has called us to do."

Excerpt from an oral history interview at Panera's on Eola Dr. July 12, 2011.