Some Have Hats Redux
09/03/2020
Years ago, I had a blog called Some Have Hats. Some of you might remember it. I shut it down and deleted it so as to remain employable. I have no time or desire to start it again. But I wanted a place where I could collect all of the articles written by the mighty Fr. Paul Mankowski, SJ, of happy memory. His death has left a great many people feeling like a large plug has been taken out of their lives, and I wanted to do something to make them (and myself) feel better. It has been a comfort to me to read his words, so I want everyone else to be able to do that easily, for whatever comfort it might offer them.
I will, in time, have a few things to say. Fr. Mankowski was, to me and to a few lucky others, just Paul. (Although I never forgot for a second that he was FATHER Paul.) He wasn't my spiritual director, he never heard my confession, although he did help me with quite a few theological issues and he was my rock when it came to trying to negotiate the quagmire that is the modern Church. More than anything, he was one of my dearest friends. The kind of friend that you hope outlives you.
He was the holiest person I have ever known, but also the funniest. When his friends talk about him, the word "brilliant" is usually about the third word in, and no one is exaggerating. He was a treasure.
I'll have the rest of my life to sing his praises. Right now, I just want to make a good place for people to come and read his words.
Karen,
Thank you very much for doing this. Fr. M was a dear friend of mine (I met him on his return to Chicago), and I've been compiling his works for my own enjoyment, and your bibliography is a great help! God, I'll miss him.
Thank you, and drop me a line if you ever want to talk Mankowskiana…
Best regards,
Posted by: Bill Walsh | 09/16/2020 at 05:45 PM
You're very welcome. He was a dear friend of mine, too. And one that I always hoped would outlive me.
Posted by: Karen Hall | 09/16/2020 at 10:47 PM