Michael Heinlein, author of “Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI” will be visiting the Yakima Diocese May 18-19 to speak to students at La Salle High School, participate in a clergy formation day, and speak at two public events.
On May 18 Heinlein will speak to high school students in the morning before joining the clergy for their annual “spring theological update,” which this year will be centered on the Cardinal’s life and legacy. At 5:30 p.m. he will return to La Salle for a Mass of Thanksgiving, followed by a short talk and reception, as well as an opportunity to sign copies of his book.
The following evening, May 19, Heinlein will visit Christ the King Parish in Richland for a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m., again followed by a short talk and reception, as well as an opportunity to sign book copies.
Ordained as the fifth Bishop of Yakima in 1990, Cardinal George served here until 1996, when he was named Archbishop of Portland in Oregon. Two years later, he was named to lead the Archdiocese of Chicago following the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and was elevated to Cardinal soon thereafter. He died in 2015 of cancer.
In Yakima, Cardinal George was “very beloved,” Heinlein said in an interview earlier this year. As he researched his book in some 100 interviews across the country, a picture emerged of a man who “had a good sense of humor, honest as the day was long, and always very clear and convincing in the way he taught the Faith.”
Heinlein’s book, “Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI,” published by Our Sunday Visitor in March, is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and osvcatholicbookstore.com, among other outlets. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the public events.