Stockton, California produced two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and
Antonio
>Sicola, whose lives parallel each other in amazing ways. Timothy's
>parents
>were born in Ireland, Antonio's family were born in Italy. The two
boys
>were born on the same day in Stockton, California and faithfully they
>attended Stockton's parochial school from kindergarten through their
senior
>year in high school.
>
>They took their vows to enter the priesthood early in college and,
>upon graduation, became priests.
>
>Their careers had come to amaze the world, but it was generally
>acknowledged that Antonio Sicola was just a cut above Timothy Murphy
in
>all respects.
>
>Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop and finally
>Cardinal was swift to say the least, and the Catholic world knew that
when
>our present Pope died, it would be one of these two native Stockton,
>California men who would become the next Pope.
>
>In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work.
>In less time than anyone had expected, white smoke rose from the
chimney
>and the world waited to see whom they had chosen.
>
>The world, Catholic, Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn
>that Timothy Murphy had been elected Pope!!
>
>Antonio Sicola was beyond surprise. He was devastated, because even
>with all of Timothy's gifts, and coming from Stockton, Antonio knew he
was
>the better qualified.
>
>With gall that shocked the Cardinals, Antonio Sicola asked for a
>private session with them in which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"
>
>After a long silence, an old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered man
>and rose to reply. "We knew you were the better of the two, but we
just
>could not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church
>being called Pope Sicola."

groan

Monady? Is that in Ireland?

Actually, it must be Stockton lol! We need spell check here for those of us whose fingers walk faster than our brains!