The Bishop Writes

(From the May 23, 2002 edition of the Inland Register)

The silver jubilee celebration of my ordination as bishop has filled me with much joy and gratitude. On May 12, 25 years ago, the ordination took place in Holy Family Church in Yakima. I am still humbled by memories of the day when I began my episcopal ministry.

For the next 13 years I was bishop of Yakima. I came to know and love the people of the Central Washington diocese. The first few years as a bishop involved a steep learning curve as I celebrated the sacraments with the people and became acquainted with the culture of the middle part of the state. There was a large Native American presence in the upper Yakima Valley and a very large immigrant population that continues to increase to this day. The 41 parishes, from St. Joseph in White Salmon to St. Ann in Bridgeport, provided a rich blend of faith communities who touched me profoundly. I also discovered that the role of a bishop can be an isolated one if you let it happen. Fortunately, the Second Vatican Council calls the bishop to be pastoral and present to his people. Parish visits and celebrations of confirmation became some of the most joyful parts of my episcopal ministry.

In those early years, I was also invited to serve on a couple of committees nationally for the Catholic bishops’ conference. The first two were the committees for Hispanic Affairs and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. A bishop of the Catholic Church is called to serve not only the diocese to which he is assigned but is responsible for the larger church as well. Serving on various committees over the years fulfilled the purpose of not only addressing appropriate issues related to the committee but also provided a good learning experience. In addition, one came to know very well bishops from other parts of the country as members of the committees worked together.

In 1990, I was asked to come back to Spokane. Involvement on the national level increased with membership on more committees: deaconate, priestly life and ministry, bishops’ life and ministry, ecumenical and interreligious affairs, domestic policy, and Catholic Relief Services. Some of these involved automatic membership on the Administrative Board for the bishops’ conference.

The 25th anniversary celebration took place on the feast of the apostle, St. Matthias, in the Martin Center at Gonzaga University. Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas as we hear in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Just as that mysterious selection took place, I look back over the events of my own life and find mystery as well.

The celebration of the Mass in Martin Center was an opportunity to thank God for so much and to celebrate as a community of faith. None of us is self-made. We depend upon God and we depend on one another. In that mutual relationship all of us are formed, all of us grow. That’s why I am especially grateful to God and to all of the people I have served.

For us, the evening of celebration was made even more meaningful by the presence of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington D.C., Cardinal Francis George OMI of Chicago, Bishop Wilton Gregory as president of the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), and about two dozen other bishops from around the country. Their presence reminded us of our connectedness with the larger Church of which we are always a part. Pope John Paul II sent a wonderful message of congratulations for the occasion.

Of great surprise to me was the collection taken up beforehand in the dioceses of both Yakima and Spokane, with a donation to be given in honor of my ministry to Sacred Heart Parish in Brewster. The parish needs a new church and/or a parish hall. My first Mass was celebrated in Sacred Heart Parish in 1960. I am most grateful to the generosity of so many.

My heart is filled with gratitude for these 25 years of ministry as bishop and 42 years as a priest. I can’t imagine a richer life. I am grateful to the laity and to the communities of men and women Religious who have been such a vital and integral part of the Church. I am grateful to the deacons and their wives. Priests and bishops have also been a very important part of my life, and for them I am profoundly grateful as well. Despite some of the negative news lately, there are great numbers of wonderful, dedicated priests and bishops who carry on leadership roles in the church with faith, humility, and great love of the Lord and the people whom they serve.

So the milestone of my 25 years as a bishop has passed. The journey of faith continues. May we together strive to deepen our gratitude to God, to be faithful to the call of the Holy Spirit, and faithful to the body of Christ in the Church. Finally, together we carry on the mission of Jesus to proclaim the good news of the saving presence of our God.

Thanks so much for a great 25 years! May God bless you and give you peace.

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