At a time when the Catholic Church, along with other denominations, is experiencing a decline in membership, one family on the Island is joining the faith community at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Parish this Easter season. Seán McMahon and his wife Katie will be baptized into the church on Holy Saturday, April 8. Their little daughters, Isla and Fiona, will also receive the sacrament. It’s been an interesting path to where they’re headed.
I have to confess (no pun intended) that I first met Seán, who is also a terrific singer, songwriter, and musician, probably seven or eight years ago now, when he was playing at the Ritz. What I remember most about that encounter is talking about Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement — a little unusual for a Friday night conversation on Circuit Ave. His mom is Jewish and his dad is Catholic, and Seán has always had an interest in Judaism and Christianity, as well as many other spiritual and religious practices. He’s one of my favorite people to talk to about spiritual and faith experiences. His most recent involvement was in the Baptist denomination, as leader of the Aquinnah Baptist Church. Seán has to give up his role there as he makes a commitment to the Catholic Church. I’ve been to Aquinnah to hear him preach, and he always manages to tie the past to the present through scripture.
A couple of weeks ago, Seán texted me a YouTube link to a talk he gave at the up-Island church. Basically, he had to tell that special faith community — one that he truly loves — that because his plan is to become a Catholic, he’ll no longer be able to lead the Baptist congregation.
In fact, it was through Bible study preparation in that role that Seán began to explore the history of the Catholic faith. The passage that intrigued him was Isaiah 1:26, about the purification of Israel: “I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as in the beginning; After that you shall be called city of justice, faithful city.” Seán explains that what seemed to be a simple passage was actually profound.
“I unexpectedly ran into a convincing Biblical argument for apostolic succession, sacerdotal hierarchy, and the papacy in this study. This study — its 12 parts — is what decisively nudged me from a respect for Catholicism toward intellectual assent to its authoritative claims — my conscience followed suit, as I have committed my life to Jesus, and this opened my eyes to what it means to live in obedience to Him in His Kingdom,” Seán wrote in an email.
I took this to mean that Seán fully understood the Catholic Church was the original Christian church, and that the church today still exists based on that ancient model. He called his epiphany “an unexpected turn,” saying that he wasn’t looking to change denominations or to become a Catholic.
“I haven’t been shopping around for churches in hopes of finding one that would fit me,” he says. “I was quite at home in the Aquinnah church, because I felt, and still feel, called to that part of the Island (even nation) — it seems to be a sort of heart center. What happens there has significance for the rest of the Island, maybe beyond. There is a spiritual destiny unfolding up there, and I am listening for God’s guidance on it to this day.”
I asked him how the learning process was going leading up to the baptism in a couple of weeks. Seán explained that because there is a small number of folks going through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process, he’s been studying directly with Father Paul Fedak, pastor of the Good Shepherd. Seán has, through discussion, prayer, and reflection, discerned that the Catholic tradition of Christian life is appropriate for him. He is passing along all he learns to his wife and his children.
“I like Father Paul,” Seán told me. “He seems like a fellow from another time. He’s never spoken of anything other than spiritual life and the church with me. He takes his faith, and our faith, seriously, and that’s a blessing. He always brings things back to Jesus. As a former pastor, I respect that. As a parishioner, I need that!”
Always open to talking about faith, I met Seán and his family at the Edgartown Diner after church last Sunday. What was very clear is that the whole family is joining the Catholic Church together. As a father, Seán explained how it is important to him that his children have a grounding in the church. He told me that his own dad had stopped going to Mass, but now that Seán and his family are going, his dad has gone back to Mass as well.
“They say once Catholic, always Catholic,” Seán said. “My father for a long time was not religious, but he always believed, and once we started talking about Mass, he started going to Mass again. That alone is so great … If she [Seán nodded toward his daughter Isla] has this grounding in her childhood, it’s going to be with her … there’s a lot to be said for having a ritual.”
Katie is on board to embrace the Catholic faith. “I think Seán and I agree that we both believe in God and we’re both spiritually minded. I don’t have the same fervor, but I’m willing to give it a try. It’s important to him, and I’m willing to support him. We have the same core beliefs.”
“When she says ‘support,’ it’s not like she just is assenting,” Seán says. “We’re going into this together … we’re all going to get baptized. She’s not supportive on the sideline, she’s supportive in the trenches.” They’re happy with the way the parish family at Good Shepherd embraces children, and they’re looking forward to building a foundation for their family.
I agreed with Seán when he brought up “once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” There is comfort in knowing that the Mass will be the same no matter where you are, that you can go to a Catholic church anywhere in the world and find that reassurance that you are with God while you are at Mass. One of the best parts of writing this column is talking about how God works in people’s lives, and listening to how people in the community come into their faith. I hope above all else that this young family feels supported and loved as they make this decision.
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The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center hosts its annual Community Passover Seder on Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 pm, remotely and in person. Rabbi Caryn Broitman leads the service, which also includes musical accompaniment. It’s a beautiful evening with a shared sense of community while practicing something sacred. Check the website to make a reservation: mvhc.us/passover-seder-2023.html.
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A global program from the Jehovah’s Witnesses takes place this weekend. The free 30-minute
presentation “You Can Face the Future with Confidence!” will be hosted at the Martha’s Vineyard Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, with a videoconferencing option available. The talk will take place Saturday, April 1, at 6 pm in Portuguese and then again on Sunday, April 2, at 9:30 am in English. The Island’s Jehovah’s Witness community commemorates the memorial of Jesus’ death on Tuesday, April 4, at 7 pm. It will be presented in English and Portuguese.
I disagree with once a catholic, always a catholic. I formally renounced the Catholic Church in my twenties. Having been baptized as an infant I believe it wasn’t a choice I made.
I became a Unitarian Universalist in my thirties. It was a decision made thoughtfully and wholeheartedly. As an informed adult I made this commitment. I will be a UU until I die.
I agree with you, Susan.
I was also baptized as an infant– Not my choice–
I went to catholic school for the first 8 years of my education, where I was obligated to participate in many of the other sacraments. Also not my choice.
I also renounced the Catholic church in my 20’s.
I married a born again evangelical member of the Assembly of God church at the age of 40 and was divorced at 45.
Faith is a funny thing– you just have to believe, I guess.
I am happy that Sean has found something he feels comfortable with. and I hope the family stays strong and happy.
My father converted from “protestant” to Catholic in order to marry my mother. He never regretted it and stayed strong in his faith all his life.
So I get it , and truly wish the best for this young family.
I hear a lot of rhetoric from right wing politicians these days ranting against the “indoctrination” of school children who they feel are being taught to be accepting of others.
I don’t think that’s such a bad thing , actually..
Even if you (plurally) think your religious beliefs are the “one true religion” please be respectful of others.
As a minister in the Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster, I will take this opportunity to proselytize and remind everyone that If you are searching for meaning, or perhaps not ,all are welcome in the church of the FSM.
Peace Love and Pasta.
Cool thing about being a UU is that I can be a Pastafarian as well.
Welcome home, McMahons. Bless your bravery, Sean — a Christian is ostracized by the world, but none more ostracized than a Catholic by Protestants! Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Have been following Sean’s sermons and studies on YouTube for just over a year. The Baptists are losing a brilliant theologian, but I suspect God has plans for you as a teaching and musical missionary in His Kingdom that are bigger than a small sectarian congregation. Maybe, for all you know, you will find yourself in the pulpit again as a priest or bishop in the Catholic Church. If nothing else, I hope you will continue your teaching and musical ministry. I know it is difficult to leave behind a community — I myself left behind a UU congregation long ago, and have never looked back — but Jesus founded one, holy, Catholic, apostolic church, and our calling is to live in joyful submission to Him. It was the best decision I ever made, and it will be for you as well. May God bless you and your family.
Welcome home, McMahons. Bless your bravery, Sean — a Christian is ostracized by the world, but none more ostracized than a Catholic by Protestants! Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Have been following Sean’s sermons and studies on YouTube for just over a year. The Baptists are losing a brilliant theologian, but I suspect God has plans for you as a teaching and musical missionary in His Kingdom that are bigger than a small sectarian congregation. Maybe, for all you know, you will find yourself in the pulpit again as a priest or bishop in the Catholic Church. If nothing else, I hope you will continue your teaching and musical ministry. I know it is difficult to leave behind a community — I myself left behind my UU congregation long ago, and have never looked back — but Jesus founded one, holy, Catholic, apostolic church, and our calling is to live in joyful submission to Him. It was the best decision I ever made, and it will be for you as well. May God bless you and your family.
Dr Dan– with all due respect, it is my opinion that it is actually Christians that are the ones “ostracizing” other religions.
In my opinion ,your comment “a Christian is ostracized by the world, but none more ostracized than a Catholic by Protestants! Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”is complete nonsense.
To portray Mr. McMahons as some sort of ostracized or persecuted victim distracts from his accomplishments.
Lots of Protestants turning to Catholicism due to ”apostolic succession”. They are frustrated in so many denominations and different hermeneutics so they go to something that is formalized and not subject to interpretation. As long as this guy follows Jesus that is good but he is going to get confused by the faith plus works for justification doctrine of the Catholic Church because it is not biblical.
have been following sean as workman song since his 2014 album came out. so rare to see a musician cross secular and sacred music worlds so seamlessly. when he first started posting his sermons online it was a pleasant surprise in the covid era. over the years you could sense this coming, but it also has me thinking about my own faith especially since that isaiah bible study he talked about. just wanted to show some appreciation in your local rag sean, you’re definitely doing god’s work. i hope your island knows what a treasure it has in you, after all a prophet is not without honor except in his own country! hope you’ll find your way down to north carolina soon. maybe now that you’re not tied down on sunday mornings the lord has some travel plans in store for you…
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