Avid biker Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes is sometimes recognized on treks in New Orleans
Folks enjoying Audubon Park these days might do a double take when a certain cyclist in helmet and shorts pedals by. The avid biker out for his 10-mile trek is Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, 2002-2009. ( )
By on April 18, 2014
Folks enjoying Audubon Park these days might do a double take when a certain cyclist in helmet and shorts pedals by. The avid biker out for his 10-mile trek is Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, 2002-2009.
“Most people don’t recognize me,” Hughes said with a grin.
But, some do.
Hughes, 81, told of recently passing two young women strolling in the park with their two small children. When he gave a quick courtesy warning to say he was passing them on their left, one woman gave a startled, “Archbishop!”
Amazingly, it was his voice she recognized, even before she saw his face, Hughes said.
“So, I stopped and blessed their babies and then got back on my bike and moved on,” Hughes said.
Whether swimming a half-mile or cycling 10, Hughes is as active in recreation since his retirement four years ago as he is in ministry.
Hughes teaches at Notre Dame Seminary, leads spiritual retreats for bishops, priests and lay people, gives personal spiritual directions, and serves on two committees for the Bishop’s Conference, including one in Rome.
Opened as a hospice in 1985, Project Lazarus then “averaged a death a week,” but today has a new mission that is focused on life and wellness, Hughes said. Few at the transitional housing center refuse the comfort he offers, though many find it hard to trust and most are not Catholic or even church-goers, Hughes said.
Hughes said he finds his service at Project Lazarus to be “a very concrete way of experiencing the truth of the Lord’s saying from the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’”
Though Hughes is reluctant to talk of ministry in terms of “satisfaction,” some moments are special, Hughes said.
“Moments that mean the most to me are those times of assisting someone to return to the Lord,” Hughes said. “To see them come back, to help them in re-finding faith and the church, resonates with me. That’s the reason I became a priest.”
Hughes served as archbishop during the unsettled days of Hurricane Katrina, and though he is still busy, Hughes said he finds he now has more time for the unplanned phone call or personal request.
“God is teaching to me to be much more alert to the little ways in which he is revealing his face, and to see him, and experience him, and respond to him much more faithfully than in the past,” Hughes said.
Hughes said some may be surprised that he retired in New Orleans rather than returning to his native Boston. Using a marriage bond as a comparison, Hughes said his love for the people of New Orleans is steady and strong.
“I still see myself spiritually committed to the people here,” Hughes said. “And, I look forward to continuing to offer a spiritual ministry to the good people here.”
“Most people don’t recognize me,” Hughes said with a grin.
But, some do.
Hughes, 81, told of recently passing two young women strolling in the park with their two small children. When he gave a quick courtesy warning to say he was passing them on their left, one woman gave a startled, “Archbishop!”
Amazingly, it was his voice she recognized, even before she saw his face, Hughes said.
“So, I stopped and blessed their babies and then got back on my bike and moved on,” Hughes said.
Whether swimming a half-mile or cycling 10, Hughes is as active in recreation since his retirement four years ago as he is in ministry.
Hughes teaches at Notre Dame Seminary, leads spiritual retreats for bishops, priests and lay people, gives personal spiritual directions, and serves on two committees for the Bishop’s Conference, including one in Rome.
“I’ve retired from office, but not the priesthood,” Hughes said.
I stopped and blessed their babies and then got back on my bike and moved on.” Alfred C. Hughes
Hughes is the recipient of the Project Lazarus Guardian Angel Award for his weekly ministry and care giving to those living with HIV/AIDS. The award will be presented tonight, Apr. 23, at the organization’s annual Guardian Angel Award Gala to be held at the Pavilion of Two Sisters in City Park. Opened as a hospice in 1985, Project Lazarus then “averaged a death a week,” but today has a new mission that is focused on life and wellness, Hughes said. Few at the transitional housing center refuse the comfort he offers, though many find it hard to trust and most are not Catholic or even church-goers, Hughes said.
Hughes said he finds his service at Project Lazarus to be “a very concrete way of experiencing the truth of the Lord’s saying from the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’”
Though Hughes is reluctant to talk of ministry in terms of “satisfaction,” some moments are special, Hughes said.
“Moments that mean the most to me are those times of assisting someone to return to the Lord,” Hughes said. “To see them come back, to help them in re-finding faith and the church, resonates with me. That’s the reason I became a priest.”
Hughes served as archbishop during the unsettled days of Hurricane Katrina, and though he is still busy, Hughes said he finds he now has more time for the unplanned phone call or personal request.
“God is teaching to me to be much more alert to the little ways in which he is revealing his face, and to see him, and experience him, and respond to him much more faithfully than in the past,” Hughes said.
Hughes said some may be surprised that he retired in New Orleans rather than returning to his native Boston. Using a marriage bond as a comparison, Hughes said his love for the people of New Orleans is steady and strong.
“I still see myself spiritually committed to the people here,” Hughes said. “And, I look forward to continuing to offer a spiritual ministry to the good people here.”
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