Bishop Edmond Carmody waves to the congregation that gathered at his farewell Mass on Mar. 21 at the Cathedral.

"It's an uneasy feeling to have a farewell party and no one show up," said Bishop Edmond Carmody on March 21. But the bishop must have been quite at ease as he looked upon a packed Corpus Christi Cathedral during his farewell Mass to the diocese which he served as bishop since March 17, 2000. "Thank you for the past 10 years," he said to the crowds. "Every day has been a joy." He told the people of the diocese that they have been "co-responsible for carrying on the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ."

A reception in the cathedral courtyard followed the liturgy and many expressed their gratitude to the retiring bishop.

Father Gerry Sheehan, American Regional Priest Servant, of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, said he and the society have been grateful to the bishop "for his spiritual guidance, his authentic witness of discipleship, his life of charity to the anawim, his love for the youth and their growth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ." He assured the bishop of the society's continued prayers.

Msgr. William Celestine Murray, pastor at Saint Anthony Parish in Violet, said he and the parishioners of St. Anthony wish the bishop "blessings and happiness in retirement." He emphasized that by the bishop's hard work and dedication he "has been an inspiration to all of us." His concern for the poor and the sickly has "left indelible marks on the sands of time" and his "footprints among us are eternal."