By Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal

Several years ago, my good friend and long-time colleague, Dr. Eugene Fisher, retired as secretary for Catholic-Jewish Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). I, and many of my colleagues were saddened: We had lost a cherished colleague and we were not certain who his successor would be.

Well, his replacement as executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the USCCB was Father James Massa, and he turned out to be a wonderful, intelligent, dedicated and capable successor.

I remember taking Father Massa out for lunch to gain the opportunity of gauging the type of person he is. I found him to be highly intelligent, serious and deeply committed to his Catholic faith. At the same time, he was equally committed to the goal of building trust and respect between (to borrow the phrase of sainted Pope John Paul II) the elder brother, Judaism, and the younger brother, Christianity.

We worked together for several fruitful years in planning the semi-annual meetings of the National Council of Synagogues, a partnership of the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements in Judaism dealing with interfaith relations on a national level, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Commission on Relations with the Jewish People.

We held wonderful and lively discussions on a variety of topics. We were treated to outstanding speakers and respondents. We were enriched intellectually and spiritually. And above all, we formed friendships with people with whom we had little contact previously, and whom we would probably never have encountered, no less befriended.

This development was the rich fruit of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and its landmark document, “Nostra Aetate” (“In Our Time,” 1965). Father Massa and I worked together harmoniously and with deep respect for each other’s faith commitment and professional talents.

I remember a call from him several years ago informing me that he was attending a retreat center in Massachusetts, not very far from where we live. He wondered if we might get together for a little relaxing meeting. My wife and I invited him to our home. He came eagerly to join us for a Shabbat dinner, rich in rituals and melodies, as well as my wife’s fine cooking.

We had a memorable time together which we shall always remember – as I hope will he, as well.

I was saddened when he stepped down from his post and I lost touch with him for several years. But recently I got the good news: my friend and colleague, Father James Massa, has been appointed auxiliary bishop in the Brooklyn Diocese!

I am genuinely elated for him. I know he will do a fine job. He will bring his keen intellect, deep spirituality and enormous commitment to his sacred calling to the task he now undertakes.
I wish him well. And I pray he may receive Heaven’s blessings. In the words of the ancient Hebrew blessing: “Hazak, hazak, ve-nithazek” – “Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another!”

Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal is the director of The National Council of Synagogues.