For those of us who attended last week’s celebration, Bishop Lyne’s brother Frank Lyne (who is a friend of two of my ‘Bishop Lyne dinner’ guests, Dan and Lisa Coglianese), shared with us some amusing stories about his brother’s early years as a student. According to Frank’s story, in one single day Bishop Lyne received fifteen demerits while he was in school. Well, I could not wait to call Donny and tell him the story about Bishop Lyne’s demerits. When I finally shared the story with Donny, he laughed and said, “That’s why the Bishop liked me so much, and Sister Monica was always giving me demerits.” In fact, Donny shared with me how Bishop Lyne would help sneak him out of ‘after school detention’ when Sister Monica was otherwise occupied.
I am so blessed and fortunate to be able to share these never before heard stories of Bishop Lyne’s earliest days as a Father, which describe how special of a person Bishop Timothy Lyne has been to so many different people and for so long. From the coaching days of driving the parish Station Wagon with the 1940’s St. Mary’s Basketball Team to away games, to taking his players for rides in his personal Studebaker, and allowing Donny to serve Friday Novena and Stations of the Cross, it is very obvious why our Lord selected Bishop Lyne to be his Bishop and our mentor.
To my friend Don Johnson, thank you for introducing me to Bishop Lyne whom I have come to love through your beautiful stories of such an amazing and cherished individual. I love you both, Donald and Bishop Lyne. God be with you.
Without equivocation,
Joseph Fosco
