Monsignor Sullivan

Monsignor Lloyd Sullivan was the pastor at Epiphany of Our Lord. This also made him head

of the parochial school for the parish. Monsignor called all children "kiddo" and had a grand

flair about him. If he visited your classroom it was a cause for celebration, especially for the

kiddos because it meant sister would have less time to deal with the subject that was up next.

I recently heard from an alumna of Epiphany, and she recalled Monsignor taking all the

kiddos to the circus every year. I didn't remember that, but I do recall all students being led to the parking lot where Monsignor was with "Mr. Switzer." Each of them told us what a

great job we were doing and to always strive to do better. Then, Mr. Switzer would open the

boxes he brought with him. We knew what was coming because these men had done this before. Licorice was plentiful at Switzer's Licorice, and we were about to eat some of the profits. As you walked passed them, Mr. Switzer gave you a large bag of licorice and Monsignor tousled your hair and said, "Here you go, Kiddo."

Although he had many fine qualities, Monsignor Sullivan was quite pompous in many ways.

He made grand gestures with flowing robes and spoke a slightly different kind of Latin,

which I heard one nun tell another his pronunciation was "Vatican Latin." Monsignor

Sullivan was prone to deliver long sermons. One time he was going on about having to do

his best for us because he would be held accountable for our souls when he got to heaven.

"When I meet the Lord Jesus Christ, he's going to ask, 'Monsignor, how many souls have

you delivered to me?" It took another 20 minutes to describe his reply would be.

After Mass, my Dad was standing in a little area between the stove and the sink. He was

eating a fold-over sandwich, and in his usual concise manner simply said, "Jesus is not going

to call him Monsignor." End of story.