Let me begin these thoughts and reflections about my good friend Denny with the words of a song. The song is “I Hope You Dance” and it was sung by country singer, Lee Ann Womack. Within the lyrics are these words: “And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance…I hope you dance.” And Denny loved to dance!

I first met Denny the summer of 1984. We were assigned to St. Gregory Parish, North East, PA. Denny was assigned as Pastor and myself as Associate.

One of the priests who was transferred from there, Fr. Eddie Byrne, drove down to Baltimore where I was leaving from St. Michael the Archangel Parish and gave me the car and keys to the Rectory. I put my belongings in the back seat and trunk and set out for the town of North East, PA. Entering the rectory I found Denny watching the news and on one of those old-fashioned TV trays feasting on a hot dog and beans. We welcomed one another, decided on a more proper meal at a local restaurant, Dellhurst, and so began what would be our five years together (1984-1989).

We were a good team. At that time Denny was 50 and I was 31. I must say at the outset that his being appointed Pastor to St. Gregory, North East, was a difficult assignment for him. As he would share, it brought back some painful and hurtful memories of his time as a student at St. Mary’s Seminary. One in particular was when Denny’s class moved from the lower side of the house (lower classmen) to the upper side of the house (upper classmen). Denny was told to remain one year more with the lower classmen. It was a wound that stayed with him. A year of being separated from his classmates.

Back in those days the newly appointed Pastors would meet with the Provincial Superior and the members of his Extraordinary Provincial Council. It was an opportunity for the Council to share notes about the parish and what was brought to their attention when the parish was visited by Redemptorists prior to appointments. Denny shared with me that when he walked into the conference room and before any conversation got started, he spoke these words:

“I want you to know that I forgive you guys for appointing me to North East!” I am sure that went over real big, but I am also sure it gave Denny some healing.

Denny was a kind, cheerful, and loving Pastor. Parishioners felt at ease in his presence. He had an easy smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and an infectious laugh. As the young priest I was always encouraged by Dennis; he was always looking out for me. One of the realities of being the young priest in a parish is that many times parents want you to do their child’s Baptism. Engaged couples want you to do their wedding. You become in high demand. I remember feeling uneasy about it all when I would go to Denny and tell him time and again that these requests were made to me. I will never forget the valuable lesson he taught me. He said: “Denny, enjoy it. You are the young priest now and that is what people see and want for their celebrations. The day will come when someone else is going to be wanted instead of yourself.” That stayed with me, and I have tried to emulate Denny’s sense of pastorship through the years.

Denny guided the Parish through RENEW and with lay collaboration set up small faith-sharing groups throughout the parish to foster the faith through gospel-sharing. They were still active when I was transferred in 1989. He did much to improve the grounds and landscaping for St. Gregory Cemetery. I remember the beautiful Pieta that was placed on the cemetery grounds.

We were blessed to have the Redemptorist community of St. Mary’s Seminary just blocks away from our rectory. At that time the community as I remember consisted of Frs. Gerry Powers, Pat Woods, Phil Dabney, Pete Sousa, Art Tuttle, Tom Maceda and of course, the one and only, Bro. Bosco.

It was always good sharing prayer time, meals and just relaxing in one another’s company. Also, during my time at St. Gregory we had Redemptorist priests, Fr. James “Archie” Breen, Fr. Fred Prenatt, and Fr. Andy Skeabeck join our community.

During our time together the parish presented us with a dog, a Chow puppy that was named Shawna. She was a wonderful addition to our community life and Denny was a great dog walker. Or better to say Shawna kept Denny on a good workout pace as she led the way. Denny enjoyed cooking. On Saturday evenings after Evening Mass, he would marinate a full chicken for dinner. He would make himself a tossed salad and sit down to a nice Manhattan as the chicken cooked. During these evenings I was involved with a church basketball league that got formed there in North East. There must have been six or seven teams representing their local church. It was fun and competitive, and St. Greg’s team could hold its own. When I would get back to the rectory, Denny would ask about the game and I would ask about his chicken dinner. He would say, “Denny, I love to cook. The chicken, marinated, delicious. And chicken is good for you. I’m not sure if eating the whole thing is good for you, but I couldn’t stop. I ate the whole thing!” And we would laugh!

I mentioned at the very beginning that Denny loved to dance. He did. Some people love to dance, but they are all left feet. Or if you are left-handed, like me, and feel we always get slighted, then they are all right feet! But Denny had the gift. He was easy on his feet with that soft glide. He would say to me, “Denny, I love to boogie!” Another favorite line of his was “A little Razzmatazz!” And he could lead the ladies across the floor. He enjoyed good times, good company, and sweet memories.

In 1985 I made a trip home to Ireland with my parents and my sister Kathleen. My mother came from the same village, Ballinlough, Foxboro in County Roscommon as Denny’s family. He told me while there to visit his Uncle Martin. I did. On entering the house, I introduced myself to Uncle Martin and told him I was living now with Denny in St. Gregory Parish. He brought me over to sit at the kitchen table and there hanging on the wall above the table was a picture of Denny in his clerics. In the picture he had a nicely trimmed beard. And I will never forget the words of Uncle Martin – “There’s the man. There’s the man!” Ah, the Irish have a way!!!

I can say in my own sweet memory that Denny and I were a good team, and we became good friends. He was Dennis with two ‘n’s’ and I was Denis with one ‘n.’ He taught me many things about shepherding and pastoring the people of God. He taught me gentleness and patience in caring for those entrusted to me. He taught me to love life and enjoy the times of celebration that God gives to me. As a young priest, I was blessed to have him as my Rector and my friend.I can only imagine his loved ones who were there on June 6, the feast of Corpus Christi, to welcome Denny home to heaven. His parents and brothers and sisters. His dear Redemptorists friends, Fr. Denny McGrath, Fr. Tom Schmidt, Fr. Frank O’Rourke, and Fr. Frank Collins. So many to welcome Denny home.

Let me close with those words that Denny might leave us with: “And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance…I hope you dance.”Keep dancing, Denny! May it be so!