Harmonica-playing Detroit priest finds following - at 87

DETROIT (CNS) -- When 87-year-old Father William McGoldrick played his harmonica at a Detroit restaurant Sept. 25, it was to a full house, a typical crowd for his fundraising appearances for various Catholic charities.

"They're always booked up about 10 days in advance," said Cheri LaGrasso, Christian Service coordinator at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in suburban Grosse Pointe Woods. LaGrasso helps Father McGoldrick with arrangements for his performances at the Blue Pointe Restaurant on Detroit's east side. For years, Father McGoldrick has been taking his harmonica along when he celebrates Mass at area retirement and nursing homes, hospitals and parishes. Parishioners at Our Lady Star of the Sea, where he was in residence for many years, have heard him play during Mass on special occasions, and students in the parish elementary school have often heard him play during their lunch period. But his restaurant gigs just began this year. "He's got a great following, and he's quite an amazing guy," said Blue Pointe owner David Muer. When Father McGoldrick first started appearing at the restaurant every month or two, there would be lines of people out the door. Muer decided to move his appearances to Monday nights, when the Blue Pointe would normally be closed. Now, with $5 of each patron's dinner price going to some Catholic charity Father McGoldrick selects as the beneficiary, his sold-out appearances each raise more than $500. Father McGoldrick selects a theme for each evening. He called his Sept. 25 performance "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day," and it consisted of mostly Irish tunes. He was joined that night by singer Dorothy Ignasiak and a young Irish step dancer, Colleen Maher. Father McGoldrick also interspersed humor with his musical numbers. A little extra variety was provided by Father Tom Ebong, a priest from Nigeria, who sometimes joins Father McGoldrick to sing Caribbean and reggae numbers. Father Ebong, part-time chaplain at the St. John Senior Community, said Father McGoldrick's coming to live at the assisted-living residence has been a blessing. "He is an inspiration to the residents and a big encouragement to them. And he also draws encouragement from the residents' deep religious faith," Father Ebong said. Father McGoldrick regularly celebrates Mass on Fridays for the residents, and will follow the liturgy with a little talk and harmonica playing. He also takes his harmonica along when he celebrates Mass at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe. The priest has someone who drives him to say Mass where he is needed, he said. He can no longer drive himself because he suffers from macular degeneration, an eye disease. An accomplished pianist, Father McGoldrick also plays the piano for special events at the St. John Senior Community. "It's wonderful to have Father McGoldrick here - he's the best thing that ever happened to this place," said Sister Mary Conway, a Sister of St. Joseph who works at the seniors residence. Despite being so busy, Father McGoldrick thinks of himself as having slowed down considerably. Formerly a champion handball player, he had to give up the sport in his late 70s. Father McGoldrick bought his first harmonica as a child in Detroit's St. Cecilia Parish. He took it up in earnest during his 27 years at St. Edmund Parish in suburban Warren, where he was the founding pastor. "I got that first one for 50 cents," he told The Michigan Catholic, newspaper of the Detroit Archdiocese. "Actually, the instruction manual cost 50 cents, and the harmonica came with it for free. Now, I have a number of them, each in a different key, and the latest one cost $360." This fall, Father McGoldrick will take his harmonica-playing a step further, when he records his first compact disc. He's working with a professional musician and their goal is to have the CD out in time for Christmas gift sales. Proceeds will benefit a parish Life Teen program.

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