Pondering

A collection of homilies from Father Henry McDaid fills the pages of his book, Pondering. Over the last 55 years Father has written and shared his interpretations and inspirations culled from the Sunday Gospels . Now Father Henry shares these ideas with you.

A collection of homilies from Father Henry McDaid fills the pages of his book, Pondering. Over the last 55 years Father has written and shared his interpretations and inspirations culled from the Sunday Gospels. Following the Liturgical Calendar the homilies begin with the Advent season, and continue with Christmas, Ordinary Time, the Lenten season, Easter, and end with Ordinary Time. The index allows readers to quickly reference individual Sundays as well as various themes.

Father Henry McDaid was born in Derry, Northern Ireland on June 18, 1938. He was ordained on June 2, 1963. He was accepted into the Diocese in Mobile-Birmingham by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen. His first assignment was in Mobile, Alabama at Saint Mary's. Father McDaid was serving in Birmingham when the diocese was divided in 1968. Bishop Joseph G. Vath accepted him as a full-time priest in the newly formed diocese of Birmingham. He has served at many parishes in the diocese including St. Peter the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier in Birmingham, St. James in Gadsden, St. Ann's in Decatur, and St. Cecilia in Jasper. His last assignment was Prince of Peace in Birmingham. Father McDaid has a deep love for music and has served on the Diocesan Board of Sacred Liturgy. He has been instrumental in planning and assisting in the many special liturgies for the Diocese. He retired in 2016 from full time ministry because of health reasons. He is grateful for the blessings he has received from the many parishioners he has served in his 55 plus years as a priest.