Recently I received a phone call from a friend of mine in St. Louis, and he posed some interesting questions. What is it like to be a bishop, after almost one year? What is it like to be the bishop of Knoxville? Do you miss St. Louis? Do you miss the state of Missouri? Do you miss your family and friends?
Well, let me tell you, my sisters and brothers, I love being a bishop because I love being a priest. To be a priest and a bishop is truly a humbling experience, and I truly believe that I am not worthy. But I do believe in the Lord’s call.
A good friend of mine, Father James Swift, the former provincial of the Congregation of the Mission, known as the Vincentians, recently gave me some great material to reflect on. I spoke to him about how I still do not understand fully what it means to be a bishop of the Church. I spoke to him about how I still find it very difficult to believe. I told him I am still processing the very idea.
After years of administration in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I understand the administrative aspects of running a diocese, even though I can no longer use the line I used so often when I was faced with a difficult decision. So often I would say, “Well, I’ll bring it to the archbishop and see what he says.” But now, to quote that famous Missourian Harry S Truman, “The buck stops here.”
My dear friend Father Swift said that if I truly believe the Holy Spirit is part of the decision-making process of the Church, if we believe that the Holy Spirit guides the Church, if we believe that the Holy Spirit guided the cardinals to choose the Holy Father, who eventually chose me to shepherd the Church of Knoxville, then even though I might believe I am not worthy to be a successor of the Apostles and bishop of this diocese, I have been chosen.
So to answer the question “What is it like to be the bishop of Knoxville?” I say without equivocation, that I love being bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, for it allows me the opportunity to be a pastor: to be pastor of a Church from Helenwood to Chattanooga, from Kingsport to Townsend, from Soddy-Daisy to Crossville and of all the different parishes and institutions I am privileged to serve.
As a pastor I witness daily the face of Jesus in the work of Marriage Encounter and Cursillo and Search, in the work of the Ladies of Charity, and in parishes that adopt other parishes throughout the world, especially in Haiti and Colombia.
In the beautiful cultures that make up the fabric of the church of East Tennessee and the languages that speak of the faith that allows us to know God. In the commitment of my brother deacons and priests from around the world who are so committed to be another Christ to the people they are called to serve with a spirit of humility.
In the 10 seminarians who are studying for the diocese and the six or seven men who are now contemplating joining them in September.
In the consecrated women who serve the church so faithfully.
In so many different ways I see the face and the voice of Jesus.
It brings me joy to pray with you. In the Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in confirmations and church dedications and parish-hall festivities. In fish fries and visits to the parishes that make up this wonderful church of Knoxville. It brings me joy to stand behind the bench at a high school football game and root for our team, as so often I feel like the owner of a team. To sit in the stands of a gymnasium and see a well-played basketball game by our young men or women. To sit at a baseball game and enjoy America’s favorite pastime, hoping someday one of the members of the team will play for the St. Louis Cardinals.
To hear children sing at school or to sit in a cafeteria and chat with those with so much life ahead of them and to hear about their dreams and celebrate with them the occurrences of their life.
To witness a stage production or choral festival or the servers who are excited about serving at Mass for the first time.
To witness daily the work of Catholic Charities and how its staff represents Jesus. The faithful teachers at our schools who give so much and make so little.
To the Knights of Columbus and their families who are so good to the Church and our community in so many ways.
To witness the dedicated service of those who work at the Chancery and in other areas of the Diocese. Those unseen people who do so much for the Lord and his people.
With all of this, to reflect why wouldn’t I love to be a bishop—and the bishop of Knoxville.
To truly see the face of Jesus, to see how he is trusted by so many. Most Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, I thank you for this privilege, and I pray daily that I may be worthy.
Also, thanks be to God for the work of those involved in vocation recruitment. You know, we may have as many as seven new men entering the seminary this fall. These men, God willing, will join the 10 who are already in formation. But with this gift comes a very practical challenge to our budget. So now I come to you.
The average cost of supporting a seminarian in the Diocese of Knoxville and in effect in the United States is about $45,000 per year. We have to provide certain things, such as insurance, and give them a small stipend, as well as pay for tuition, especially in theology.
Well, given the 10 men who are already studying for the Diocese of Knoxville and with the possibility of five to seven more—which is indeed a great blessing—I have now authorized, after consulting with the priests and finance council of the diocese, a second collection that will be taken up each year to help with the formation of these young men. This year the collection will be taken on Easter Sunday. Then we will evaluate to see whether this is the right time. This yearly collection will assist in the formation of those who wish to serve you, the people of God, in East Tennessee.
I also ask your prayers for those who are preparing to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Pray for the candidates and catechumens and their families as they prepare for this special journey. In some ways their journey is complete—but it is also just beginning with the Easter Vigil.
Spring is beginning to surround us in East Tennessee. Let us be mindful that the beauty of spring is truly a gift. For it reminds us of the gift that comes to us from God. As we all continue our journey of Lent, let us pray that we will continue our commitment to be Jesus to others. And so my sisters and brothers as I complete my first year of service to you, the people of God of East Tennessee, that is my prayer, through the intercession of St. Joseph, the faithful husband of Mary and the protector of Jesus and his model in life. I pray through the intercession of St. Joseph that we might continue in our journey together, united by Jesus, to give praise and thanksgiving to God that the Lord will continue to bless us. Until next time, God bless you all.
