Cardinal O’Malley presides over mass at St. Patrick’s in Telluride

It was a performance his rapt Telluride audience will not soon forget. A natural born leader, the instinctive reflex in the man’s presence is, perhaps paradoxically, awe and a sense all is right with the world. Radiating warmth and intelligence, the tall, handsome Irishman with the twinkle in his eye is blessed with the gift of the blarney and the voice of angel – but this rock star wears a mitre.

The headline in the Boston Globe trumpeted his name: “O’Malley to preside over Kennedy Mass.” That was August 29, and the world watched. On August 30, the very same Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley presided over another, much more modest mass, this one at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 301 N. Spruce Street, Telluride, Deacon Michael Doerhman, Parish Director, assisting him during the service. St. Pat’s is a far cry of The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, but the carpenter-gothic building is no less a jewel.

Cardinal O’Malley was in town on family business, to sanctify the marriage of his lovely sister Mary and her “prince,” Craig.