Immediately after the Mass, the luncheon followed on the Gould Lawn, accompanied by the music of a string quartet. Several speakers took turnings toasting Fr. Markey and reminiscing about his life and ministry. The chaplain “embraces the mission of Thomas Aquinas College,” said tutor Dr. Josef Froula, who introduced Fr. Markey to the College five years ago. “The entire curriculum is ordered, first and foremost, to the study of Sacred Theology, and Fr. Markey plays an essential role in the community by uniting the intellectual and spiritual lives of our students,” he said. “We can sum up Fr. Markey’s service with the words inscribed in the Chapel’s sanctuary: non nisi te, Domine —I want nothing but you, Lord."
Joined by his mother and four of his siblings, Fr. Markey enjoyed the beautiful afternoon with memorable company and nostalgic conversations. He then addressed his guests, sharing anecdotes about past times, including insights into his youth, his path toward faith, and his many adventures. “What an amazing privilege it is to be able to stand before all of you and spend the whole afternoon with people that I am close with, people I have served, people I have loved, people I wept with, people I built churches with, people I have heard thousands of confessions, baptized their children, married their children,” he said. “It is a fantastic life.”
