Fr. Maurice Teill is seen at Mass in an undated photo. COURTESY OF ARCHIVES
A New Year’s message from Fr. Maurice Teill
BY EDWARD WILSON, ARCHIVES
Fr. Maurice Teill is a name that many of you have not heard in quite some time, but I’m sure remember quite well.
When you look at Fr. Teill’s accomplishments, you would think that he was a horseback priest from the 1800s. The good priest was also a tireless servant of God. In his nearly 60 years of active service, he was assigned to more than 13 parishes, was a primary figure in the establishment of Precious Blood Parish in Owensboro, oversaw the building of Mary Carrico Catholic School in Knottsville, restored multiple churches and established St. Mark Parish in Eddyville. Even after he retired from active ministry after 56 years, he became a priest in residence at St. Joseph Parish Bowling Green, until the year before his passing at 88 years old.
On New Year’s Day 1995, Fr. Teill delivered a message to his flock at St. Mark in Eddyville. It is a timeless message that we can meditate on, even today more than 30 years after he delivered it. Preparing them for the year to come, on the first day of the new year – the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Fr. Teill reminded his parishioners that we must “keep our eyes on Mother Mary.” He praised her initial “yes” to bear the Son of God but reminded them that this was just the first of a lifetime of “yeses” to God. He shared:
“Yes to God as she lays Jesus in the manger
Yes to God as she nurses him at her breast
Yes to God as she and Joseph take Him to the temple
Yes to God as she and Joseph search for Jesus…
Yes to God as she stands beneath the Cross.”
He noted that many, even in that room, were afraid to say “yes” to God. He admitted it was understandable “because they do not know where it will take them.” But he reminded them their hesitancy was keeping them from peace. Noting that only their “yes” would stop the pursuit of God, or, as Francis Thompson dubbed him, The Hound of Heaven.
So, on that first day of the new year, Fr. Teill told his flock to say “yes” to God. He reminded them that their “yeses” echo Mary’s as they are a part of the same mission. God uses this faithful obedience, just like he did with the Blessed Mother’s, “to complete the saving of all mankind.”
Fr. Teill challenged them, just as he would challenge us today, to say yes to God this New Year. Even 31 years later, his words remind us that to have peace in this life, and the next, means a lifetime of obedience to God.
Edward Wilson is the director of the Diocese of Owensboro’s Archives and the Archives of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. Comments and questions may be sent to [email protected].
Originally printed in the January 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
