We frequently work with members of the clergy in our mission. It is truly an honor to assist them as they exercise their priestly office at the altar. In a likewise fashion they too show support towards our mission.
We recently welcomed a new Shepherd to our Archdiocese. I have a difficult task ahead of me … not only to pay tribute to one Shepherd, but also to welcome the other, in as few words as possible.
For half of my life Archbishop Emeritus Listecki was our Shepard in Milwaukee, so much could be said and shared! Focusing in on our mission, our encounters with him via the Mobile Sacristy will still remain frequent. His appreciation for what we do has always been shared, at times remarking how he is the only bishop in the nation to have this unique mission in his own diocese.
One story: JP2 is MCG’s patron, we celebrate his feast day on October 22nd with solemnity. A few years back I was sitting at a dinner table with His Excellency at an event. I mentioned, “JP2 Men’s Group has a gift for you to help celebrate tomorrow’s big feast!” He replied “I have a gift for JP2 Men’s Group, drop by my house after the dinner.” Later I pull up to his house, he walks out, and says, “Each of these saint cards contain a second class relic of JP2, pieces from his cassock, each has a seal from the Vatican. Please give one to each of the guys tomorrow.” A priceless gift! Our gift to him? A pair of red, white, and gray socks with an image of JP2 on them. A heck of a trade — socks for cassocks!
His support for MCG has always been clear, we thank him for his sacrifice and fidelity while tending to his flock, and wish him the best in his well earned retirement!
We have already had a few encounters with Archbishop Grob ever since his installation! In March, His Excellency even toured the Mobile Sacristy for the first time and blessed our new Roman missal. We share a mutual excitement about working together in years to come. Archbishop Grob remarked, “We had nothing like this in Chicago, they need this! Other dioceses need this!”
By the grace of God, it is here in Milwaukee! All thanks to our donors, the men of MCG, and the support from our Shepard(s).