College presidents remember Bp. Banks

	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  • Highlights of 13 years in Green Bay  • 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  • 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

As a diocesan bishop, Bp. Robert Banks has a special relationship with the Catholic colleges in the diocese - St. Norbert College in De Pere and Silver Lake College in Manitowoc.

Here are the thoughts of the presidents of the two colleges:

Dr. William Hynes, president of St. Norbert College: "First and foremost, Bp. Banks is a pastor. He is a man of heart who has given exemplary service in his concern for the well-being of everyone in this diocese. I had the good fortune to observe this at a close range during my service on his Pastoral Council.

"The highlight of my inauguration as the sixth president of St. Norbert College was when the Bishop put aside his prepared remarks as said simply 'We can see from Dr. Hynes' fine inaugural address that St. Norbert College is in excellent hands' and then he embraced me!

"Early on, when the Religious Studies Department hosted a dinner for the Bishop and me, he and I discovered that we had a similar love of theology as well of Door County lamb. I am pleased that he will continue to be a part of this diocese."

Sr. Maureen Anne Shepard, president of Silver Lake College: "In my view, the most memorable contribution that Bp. Banks made during the past 13 years was the initiation and continuation of an on-going dialogue with the leadership of the sponsors and administration and representative faculty of the two Catholic colleges in the diocese regarding Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

"During these dialogue sessions held twice a year, Bp. Banks listened, questioned, and shared. As a result, the sessions were fruitful not only for Silver Lake College but for the entire higher education community in the United States.

"The legacy of Bp. Banks is the fostering of the role of Catholic higher education in the lives of the people of the Diocese of Green Bay. He appreciated and supported the two Catholic colleges in their preparation of leaders for the church and society in the arenas of education, business, and other ministries.

"The Commissioned Ministry Leadership Formation Program continued to flourish as a result of his support. With his support Silver Lake College offers a theology major and ministry and spirituality minor to complement the Commissioned Ministry Leadership Formation Program.

"Most rewarding about working with Bp. Banks were his collaborative style of leadership, his ability to listen and understand, his genuine compassion for people, and his sense of humor."