News

Promises to learn Spanish

By Sarah Kosnosky
Compass Correspondent

From cactus on the altar, Aztec danzantes, and girls in traditional Mexican dress, to the mariachi-style hymns to the Virgin, and shouts of "Viva la Virgen!" St. Agnes Church in Green Bay was transformed Dec. 13 into a little Mexico to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to welcome Green Bay's new bishop.

Related articles ... • Bishop calls Catholics to emulate faith heroes     Bp. David Zubik at his installation Mass says     heroes live their faith with courage     • Sidebar: Bishop's schedule • 'Glad that he's in our midst'     Diocese welcomes Bp. Zubik at vespers service • Their friend will be OK in his new home     Friends of Bp. Zubik impressed by welcome     • Sidebar: Enjoyed return visit • Manitowoc area Catholics welcome Bp. Zubik     Schools, senior living community among visits Past coverage:    December 12, 2003 issue:      • photos from installation and vespers service      • Special coverage    November 21, 2003 issue:      • Pittsburgh planning farewell Mass for Bishop Zubik Sunday    November 14, 2003 issue:      • Visits scheduled for bishop    November 7, 2003 issue:      • Bp. Zubik to be installed Dec. 12 at St. Agnes    Other coverage:      • Links to Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 Compass coverage of new Bishop

To the strains of Buenos Dias, Paloma Blanca, a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe seemed to float through the crowd. A closer look revealed four quinceaneras (15 year-olds) dressed in princess-like, white gowns carrying the statue to the sanctuary where Bp. David Zubik waited.

"Buenas noches. (Good Evening) Estoy contento estar con ustedes. (I am happy to be with all of you). Lo siento que no puedo hablar espanol pero prometo que voy a hablar espanol el proximo ano..." (I'm sorry that I can't speak Spanish, but I promise that I'm going to speak Spanish next year) Bp. Zubik said in carefully practiced phrases.

Bp. Zubik told the congregation how honored he was, as their new bishop, to join the celebration. "I am so impressed by your culture and of the deep love that both you and I have for the Blessed Virgin Mary," he said. "It is a thrill for me to join with you as we remember Our Lady under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe in such a festive way tonight."

In his homily, Bp. Zubik referred to St. Juan Diego and well-known ball player Roberto Clemente as examples of witnesses to living the Gospel.

Juan Diego was open to God's message that came to him through Mary. "(He) became a saintly man because he knew what it meant to step out of himself to do the will of God," Bp. Zubik said.

Clemente, born in Puerto Rico, lived his faith through action and set aside his pleasure to do "the compassionate work of Jesus," said Bp. Zubik. "What sets him apart is that he was a man of great faith." Clemente died in a plane crash taking, at his own expense, food and clothing to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

We are all called, like these two men, to "look beyond our own needs and our own wants and our own pleasures and our own satisfactions," the bishop said. "The call of the Gospel is .... that we let our hearts, that we let our lives, become more like that of Jesus himself."

The Hispanic community warmly welcomed the bishop. Children from St. Willebrord's religious education classes gave several gifts and received warm hugs. St. Willebrord Parish gave an official welcome sign.

Bp. Zubik watched intently as Citalalli, Alma de Mexico, a traditional dance troupe, performed Aztec dances in honor of Mary. He clapped in worship of God and in honor of the Virgin along with the Mexican rhythms, and even began his homily with several practiced Spanish phrases.

"I was really impressed. He really seemed to appreciate the service and the different type of community. He was clapping his hands and getting into the music," said Barb LuMaye of St. Mary Parish in Appleton

"It seems like he wants to be right with the people, and that's a good thing," said Steve Vertin, also a St. Mary parishioner.

Elizabeth Kostichka said she thinks "he is very committed to the Hispanic community and that he is very caring and I think that people will trust him."

Maria Ortega of St. Willebrord said "He seems like a good person, a person that cares about Hispanics. You can see that he has a big heart."

Marcos Avalos agreed: "He seems like a good person that comes to help a lot here in Green Bay. He wants to learn Spanish and to help the Hispanics. I think that he's going to be a great help to us."

"Pray for me that I may be a good shepherd," Bp. Zubik said at the close of the Mass. The Hispanic community assured him that they will.