The premiere of a film about the life and death on 9/11 of a popular priest directed by civil and gay rights campaigner Brendan Fay, formerly of Scarlet Street Drogheda, took place in New York City recently.
The film, ‘Remembering Mychal’ is about Fr. Mychal Judge the popular and charismatic Fire Department of New York Chaplain who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, and recalls the ‘Months Mind’ gathering where people shared their memories and stories of him.
In stories, prayer and song, parishioners from New Jersey and New York, recovering alcoholics, firefighters, Franciscans, people with AIDS, Irish musicians and the LGBTQ community gathered to unwrap the life and heart of Mychal Judge.
In tenderness, tears and laughter – a compassionate and human Father Mychal emerges, the peoples Mychal Judge.
“On this 20th anniversary of 9/11 the film helps us remember our priest and good friend Father Mychal Judge. Compassion was his way. He had a heart as big as New York,” said director and producer Brendan Fay.
Featured voices in the film include Malachy McCourt, Pete Hamill (1935-2020), Mychal McNicholas, Michael Daly, Tommy Ryan (FDNY), Jose Rodriguez (NYPD), Debi Rabbene, Larry Boes and Mary Somoza. Music is by Mary Courtney with Morning Star, along with renowned Irish musicians and composers Cormac Breatnach, Jack Harrison and Michael James Regan.
“On 9/11, a day of death, hate and profound grief Mychal Judge is a face of compassion and hope for humanity,” said Fay.
Father Mychal Judge, as he did every day of his Franciscan life on that 9/11 day, went towards the place of pain and suffering as a bearer of hope and comfort. For so many he is a saint of 9-11.
It was an emotional evening for the premiere screening of “Remembering Mychal” with humanity, tears, courage, love and laughter. The theater was packed.
The program opened by celebrating Irish writer and actor Malachy McCourt who recently turned 90. Director Brendan Fay thanked Malachy for his community leadership 20 years ago when he emceed the Months Mind gathering a few weeks after 9/11.
“Our city was in a state of profound trauma and grief” Fay said. Tom Moulton presented Malachy with cake and flowers. Irish musician Mary Courtney led the singing of happy birthday. There was laughter as Malachy McCourt told of years of friendship and sobriety with Fr. Mychal. McCourt soon had everyone singing “Wild Mountain Thyme.”
Mary Courtney sang a moving rendition of Dave McGilton’s ballad in honor of Father Mychal “The Sky Belongs to Dreamers.”
There was a stillness in the theater with the opening scenes and Mychal’s voice from September 10, 2001. It was from the rededication and blessing of the Bronx firehouse, Engine73/Ladder 42.
“You do what God has called you to do. You show up. You put one foot in front of another. You get on the rig and you go out and you do the job – which is a mystery.”
This would be his final benediction and homily before his death the following day on 9/11.
The film weaves archival footage, images and words of Fr. Mychal in between stories of his years as Franciscan parish priest, outreach to grieving families of Flight 800, AIDS ministry, his advocacy for the LGBTQ community, his love of sobriety and his dedication as chaplain to the New York City Fire Department.
In the days since the premiere Fay, who also directed “Taking a Chance on God”, the award winning film on pioneer priest John McNeill, has been getting calls and emails from around the USA and Ireland, Poland, Mexico.
“I look forward to bringing the inspiring story of Fr. Mychal Judge to festivals, communities and schools” he said.
