Highlights of Bp. Banks' 13 years in Green Bay Diocese

	S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n : Farewell to Bishop Banks
	• 'Blessed be God Forever'     Bp. Robert Banks retires as the     diocese's chief shepherd and spiritual     leader  • Bishop seen as priest-servant     Friends, colleagues, see Bishop as     spiritual, caring  • Bp. Robert Joseph Banks biography  • Accepted the hard times with grace     Bishop believes God at work  • A style that works     Bishop noted for his care and listening     skills  • Timeline of Bp. Banks' years in Green Bay  • College presidents remember Bp. Banks  • Lay Catholics remember Bp. Banks  • Diocesan employees remember Bp. Banks  • Bishops, priests comment on Bp. Banks  • Religious leaders discuss Bp. Banks  • Thirteen years as the leader draw to an end  • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Giving glory to our Father  • Editorial -- Job well done     Bp. Robert Banks has served the     church of the Diocese of Green Bay     well for 13 years

• Wrote two pastoral letters: on the Eucharist and on stewardship;

• Released a pastoral message on preparing for the end of life, A Pastoral Message on the Order of Christian Funerals;

• Guided the Green Bay Diocese in Renew 2000, spiritual renewal for the new millennium. More than 20,000 Catholics participated in faith-sharing groups;

Quotable ... "Early in his tenure here in Green Bay, Bp. Banks and I were returning from a high school board meeting, I believe, in Menasha. It was a blustering winter evening as we drove along Highway 41 back to Green Bay. I was driving. We hit a patch of ice and went into a skid. As we were sliding off the highway onto the median I remember thinking, 'This bishop is going to have a short tenure here in Green Bay.' We were unhurt and the car was not damaged. But for the next several months my title became 'Crash Koszarek.'"     -- Msgr. Paul Koszarek

• Oversaw reorganization plans for all diocesan parishes in response to the decreasing number of parish priests;

• Supervised renovation of Camp Tekawitha in Shawano County from a summer camp to a year-round facility;

• Implemented an ongoing Stewardship thrust for the diocese;

• Spearheaded the Emmaus Program of spiritual priestly renewal in which nearly 100% of diocesan priests participated;

• Started an annual Eucharistic Day;

• Reorganized the Catholic Social Services into Catholic Charities;

• Increased ministry to Hispanic newcomers to the diocese;

• Mandated parish pension programs.

• Oversaw the initiation of several vocations programs including Called by Name and Steppin' Right with Jesus;

• Welcomed Carmelite Order to the diocese and provided setting for their Carmel;

• Restructured the Diocesan Pastoral Council;

• Implemented an alcohol policy for parish picnics;

• Wrote a regular column, "Bishop's Corner," in The Compass;

• Chaired the National Catholic Education Association (1997-2000);

• Served as treasurer for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops;

• Served on the USCCB's Committee on Education (1990-96) and chaired committee (1993-96);

• Served on the Catholic University of America's Board of Trustees, 1993-97;

• Has led the Green Bay Diocese in a 12-year long covenant between the local Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist church.

• Founded the Crozier Society to recognize those who donate $500 or more annually to the Bishop's Appeal;

• Celebrated the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Green Bay Diocese (in 1868) and the 325th anniversary of the first Mass ever said in the area that would become the Green Bay Diocese (1669) at what is now Oconto;

• Oversaw the founding of the Allouez, Janssen, Zimmer and Grellinger Forums, breakfasts, held monthly in De Pere, the Fox Valley, Manitowoc and Oshkosh, to connect spirituality with everyday life;

• Welcomed the relics of St. Therese on a visit to the diocese.