On the lighter side of an historic moment, the Catholic News Herald pitched a few softballs to get to know our new bishop a little better. Here’s what Bishop-Elect Martin shared.
What’s your favorite…
CNH: Bible verse?
MARTIN: I can’t give you just one:
• “Jesus said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch’” (Luke 5:4).
• “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
• “One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, To gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit His temple” (Psalm 27:4).
CNH: Liturgy?
MARTIN: Anywhere God’s grace is celebrated.
CNH: Holy day or feast day?
A depiction of Pentecost
MARTIN: Pentecost – we don’t celebrate the Holy Spirit enough!
CNH: Patron saint?
MARTIN: Need you ask? St. Francis of Assisi!
(Bishop-elect Martin is professed with the Conventual Franciscans, whose order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century.)
CNH: Movie?
MARTIN: Again, it can’t be only one!
• “Patton” with George C. Scott
• “A Few Good Men” – whenever I come across it channel surfing, I have to stop and watch the rest of it!
• “Shadowlands” – a more obscure Anthony Hopkins film about C.S. Lewis. I cried at the end when I first watched it in the movie theater, and I still get a bit choked up thinking about the ending.
CNH: TV show?
MARTIN: “Seinfeld”
CNH: Requested song for a piano sing-along?
MARTIN: “Sweet Caroline”
(Bishop-elect Martin asked one of the residents at Holy Angels to play the tune during his April 9 tour of their Belmont campus for people with intellectual and development challenges.)
CNH: Sports teams
St. Francis of Assisi
MARTIN: I’m a die-hard Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fan. And, yes, I’m a Duke fan – even though most of you aren’t!
CNH: Pastimes?
MARTIN: I love reading historical biographies, and doing handyman things around the house.
CNH: Favorite food?
MARTIN: Maryland crab cakes (only made in Maryland – all others never get it right).
CNH: Favorite golf course?
MARTIN: Any course where someone else is paying.
Other fun facts:
CNH: What is the last book you read?
MARTIN: Religious: “The Spirituality of Imperfection” by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham; Non-religious: “First: Sandra Day O’Connor,” a biography by Evan Thomas
CNH: What do you know about NASCAR?
MARTIN: Only what I have learned driving in the HOV lanes in Atlanta! I know nothing, but admire the athletes, technicians, and precision of the sport.
CNH: Have you visited Charlotte before?
MARTIN: Yes, I once officiated at a wedding at St. Patrick Cathedral, and I’ve been to a few bowl games in Bank of America Stadium.
Maryland crab cakes
CNH: Do you have a specialty dish you make?
MARTIN: I make a decent chili (but I won’t disclose the secret ingredient).
CNH: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
MARTIN: Being late for anything.
CNH: What is something most people don’t know about you?
MARTIN: I once was scratched by a bat – mammal, not baseball – and had to receive all of the rabies shots. Not fun.
CNH: What is your best golf score and worst golf score?
MARTIN: Best is 82 – that was a number of years ago. Worst, well, I can’t count that high! I am a 15 handicap.
CNH: What is the most famous golf course you’ve played?
MARTIN: Cypress Point Club in California.
CNH: What’s an obscure talent you have?
MARTIN: I am an OK barber. My first year in the seminary, I was named the barber, and have been cutting the hair of my brothers ever since.
CNH: What are three things you know or love about Western North Carolina?
MARTIN: Grandfather Mountain, St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, and the rocking chairs at the CLT Airport.
Grandfather Mountain
— Catholic News Herald
Read more:
Diocese welcomes bishop-elect at press conference
First day: Bishop-elect greeted by smiles as he travels the region
Friends, family and faithful react to Bishop-Elect Martin’s assignment in Charlotte diocese