How do we move forward when our past weighs heavily on us? Bill Hulseman, author of six to carry the casket and one to say the mass: reflections on life, identity, and moving forward, invites readers to reflect on the stories and experiences that shape us.
Growing up as the youngest of ten in a large Catholic family, Bill’s childhood was filled with both love and struggle. His mother famously said she had “six to carry the casket and one to say the mass,” a phrase that inspired the title of his book. Yet, as Bill reveals, his journey was far more complicated. He describes what it was like to feel like an outsider within his own family and how being overlooked shaped his understanding of himself.
The conversation explores identity as something we inherit—but also something we can question. Bill emphasizes the importance of reflective practices, empathy, and saying “yes” to understanding yourself and others. He shares how his queer identity evolved, particularly in the face of a corporate-driven Pride culture that often misses the personal roots of celebration.
Bill also discusses his career in Catholic education, where his experiences as a gay campus minister challenged both him and the institutions he worked for. He reflects on the primacy of conscience in Catholic teaching and the courage it takes to align one’s actions with one’s truth.
Ultimately, six to carry the casket and one to say the mass is more than a memoir. It’s an invitation for readers to explore their own histories, confront their inherited stories, and shape a future that feels authentic and whole.
