Continuing the Legacy... Msgr. Paul J.E. Burkard
"Like all Catholic kids in Western New York, I knew about 'Father Baker's' and had been threatened to be sent here by my parents on more than one occasion," says Monsignor Paul Burkard when asked how familiar he was with the Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Institutions before arriving here. Like many people, he was aware of the beautiful Basilica built by Father Baker and his saintly legacy of caring. But he was unaware of how much the Institutions had grown, in both size and scope, since those early days. "Since I arrived in February, I've been learning something new almost every day about the services we provide and the extent of the programming we offer. I'm still learning..."
Msgr. Burkard was appointed by Bishop Edward Kmiec on February 16th of this year to serve as Pastor of OLV Parish, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of OLV Homes of Charity and President of Baker Victory Services (BVS), roles opened by the unexpected death of Monsignor Robert Wurtz last December. In being called to carry on where Msgr. Wurtz left off, continuing the legacy begun by Father Baker, Msgr. Burkard is humbled.
"Ever since I was ordained, I've known the OLV Institutions, the pastors and the administrators for the Homes of Charity and BVS from a distance and always admired the work they were doing in continuing Father Baker's legacy. To be put in the position of furthering that tradition is a great honor," he says. "And I'm grateful to the Bishop for his confidence in my abilities. From Father Baker on, through all the other priests who have served here, and certainly Msgr. Wurtz those are big shoes to fill."
Continuing the Legacy
Besides having so much to learn about the programs and services
provided by the Institutions, the biggest impression Msgr. Burkard
has of the work here is that, as he puts it, "we are doing
today exactly what Father Baker would be doing if he were sitting
in this chair. He wanted to take care of the poorest, the neediest,
the most vulnerable people in the area at his time. And we are
doing exactly that right now. We've changed with the times and
expanded his programs, but at the heart, we're doing exactly what
he would be doing if he were alive today."
A Potential for Connections
Even knowing now how many programs and services are provided by
Our Lady of Victory, Msgr. Burkard sees potential for growth.
"Before I got here, I could easily have utilized some of the services we provide here for some of my parishioners. We're doing so many wonderful things and I think, like myself, a lot of people don't know everything that we do. We've got some wonderful people promoting our programs and services, but I think a lot of people don't know the vast scope of the Homes of Charity and Baker Victory Services," he says.
"Getting the word out, especially to other parishes, would be a big help for what we're doing. And I think many priests are looking for exactly the kinds of resources we have. It's really just a matter of connecting the people who are doing the work with those who need the work. Many times, pastors can do that and I think I can spearhead that process with the priests of the Diocese."
Father Baker's Cause
In addition to his other roles at OLV, Msgr. Burkard is now Vice
Postulator for the Father Baker's Cause for Canonization.
"Continuing the Cause requires us to be in constant contact with Rome. All of our materials are reviewed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and their process is very meticulous, takes a lot of time, and requires an enormous amount of detailed documentation," he says. And even though things may seem quiet in our pursuit of a miracle, "it's active and it's very much alive, there's no doubt about that. Down the road, we're certainly hopeful that we'll identify the miracle that will take us to the next step of Beatification. I'm confident that we're going to find that."
But regardless of how long the process takes, and whether or not a miracle is ever verified, Msgr. Burkard is certain of Father Baker's place: "I think that everybody thinks that Father Baker is already a saint, so whether we end up with formal canonization or not, he's there in people's minds already, and that says a lot."
Going Forward
Along with strong faith and perseverance, in the end, Msgr. Burkard
says, "All I can do is be me, and bring to this what talents
I have and hope that that's going to be enough to keep us on a
good, healthy path for the future."
Our Lady of Victory has graced these institutions over the past 150-plus years with innumerable blessings. Foremost among these blessings has been leadership, beginning with Father Nelson Baker. Whatever role it is in the Parish, the Homes of Charity, Baker Victory Services, or Father Baker's Cause, Msgr. Paul Burkard is ready to answer the call. "I'm looking forward to helping things move forward, continuing to meet the needs of the people through our services."
