Close friendship connects cardinal and chancellor
Annette “Mickey” Lentz, chancellor of the archdiocese, was all smiles on Nov. 19, 2016, when then-Archbishop of Indianapolis Joseph W. Tobin was installed as a cardinal by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. (File photo by John Shaughnessy)
By John Shaughnessy
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin’s delight in his close friendship with Annette “Mickey” Lentz shows in a story that the former archbishop of Indianapolis shares about Peyton Manning and Lentz, the chancellor of the archdiocese.
“Anyone who has spent more than five minutes with Mickey knows how much she enjoys sports—all sports,” recalls Cardinal Tobin, now the archbishop of Newark, N. J. “Her heart belongs in a special way to her beloved Colts.
“I recall a memorable evening at the JW Marriott for a benefit in support of Peyton Manning/St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. Mickey and I were seated with Peyton’s parents, Archie and Olivia. Mickey had already taken a selfie with Peyton and was so exuberant that I became anxious during the final moments of the auction. The grand prize for the highest bidder was dinner at St. Elmo’s [Steak House] with Peyton and six of your friends.
“I sternly admonished Madam Chancellor to sit on her hands and not even scratch her nose! She reluctantly complied and saved some $42,000.”
The humor in that story reflects the close bond that Cardinal Tobin and Lentz developed during his four years of leading the Church in central and southern Indiana from 2012-2016.
“When I arrived in Indianapolis in December 2012, she became my friend, mentor and coworker in the vineyard,” Cardinal Tobin says. “I believe that, in many circumstances, Mickey is the face of the archdiocese. I used to kid her that if I was walking across the Gobi Desert and a fellow rode up on a yak, inquiring where I was from, and I answered, ‘Indianapolis,’ his next question would be whether I knew Mickey Lentz.
“Far from being a threat or rival, she enhanced my pastoral ministry. We knew and respected each other’s responsibilities and found our roles to be complementary and mutually supportive.”
During those four years, Cardinal Tobin came to appreciate many of Lentz’s gifts, making a special mention of her sense of humor.
He also came to understand the impact she has had in her 60 years of service to the archdiocese.
“Her legacy can be calculated in a number of ways: the students she influenced, the teachers and principals she mentored, the clergy she counseled, the public officials she enlightened regarding the life and mission of the archdiocese, the fruitful relationships she brokered,” he said. Then he noted what he considered her most enduring contribution.
“I would like to highlight her way of living her baptismal vocation as a missionary disciple of Jesus. In a world where the privatization of religious faith is encouraged, if not mandated, for Mickey, there is no gap between faith and life.
“Her leadership in the archdiocese was always supported by her prayer and strengthened by the sacraments. This enabled her to be a true servant leader, who could not help but reflect the light of Christ.” †
Related story: Love of faith and life guides Mickey Lentz in her 60 years of serving the archdiocese
