Photos courtesy of Jessica Chriesman

A grateful and loving crowd of more than 200 people gathered to celebrate Msgr. Martin M. Muller on June 25 as he stepped down from leading Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (OLS) in Homewood. He is a record-breaker: a priest since 1957; OLS pastor since 1989. The celebration highlighted his 66 years as a priest, his retirement after serving OLS for 35 years, as well as his long high school teaching career and nearly two decades on broadcast television.

In honoring Msgr. Muller, master of ceremonies John Carney said, “…if you’re my age or older, you find it hard to remember when he wasn’t here.” Carney spoke of Msgr. Muller’s stellar qualities including his sense of humor, being approachable, his loyalty, his humility in always giving credit to the Holy Spirit, and his encouragement. “He encourages us to come to daily and Sunday Mass. He encourages us to be here on holy days of obligation,” Carney continued, “he encourages us to receive the sacraments, to give to Catholic Charities, to give to the Church, go to Perpetual Adoration. He’s always encouraging.”

Parishioner John Corso made a special presentation on behalf of Rise Against Hunger, a global organization to end world hunger. Corso said that with Msgr. Muller’s support the parish has packaged 600,000 meals that went to nine countries over three continents. “As a celebration at the meal packing events, we bang a gong every 6,000 meals, so I had this made for you,” he said. “...people retire every week; most wish they can go out with a bang so, Father…” Corso then gave Msgr. Muller a mallet and he struck the gong prompting cheers from the crowd.

In addressing the assembly of past and present parishioners, former students, staff, and fellow priests, the retiring pastor spoke of joys and challenges: “My life is full of free gifts, full of grace, and my refrain here tonight is simply this: only by the grace of God.” Msgr. Muller noted that the spiritual strength of the parish lies in the Chapel of Our Savior and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. He also extended gratitude for his teaching years at John Carroll Catholic High School because so many of the parish staff are his former students. In fact, the new pastor, Father Robert J. Sullivan, was one of his students.

Carney concluded his remarks regarding Pastor Emeritus Muller by recalling the parable of the talents: “And I’m sure that God is looking down today [saying] ‘well done good and faithful servant.’”