News

Their friend will be OK in his new home

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Catholics last week had their first opportunity to begin taking the measure of the man who is their new bishop. Besides discovering that he's 6-2 and wears size 13 shoes, they also began determining how he will fit into the community.

	Enjoyed return visit Card. Adam Maida of Detroit, who headed the Green Bay Diocese 1984-90, was among the bishops at the installation. "This is exciting and exuberating," he said. "It brings back memories and I feel almost like a little kid again, coming back home and seeing so many wonderful people and the welcome is just superb and I feel like I'm back home with the family."

But he wasn't the only one being evaluated. Some 200 Catholics from the Pittsburgh Diocese came to Wisconsin partly to join in the ceremony, but also to make sure their friend, Bp. David Zubik, would be OK in Green Bay.

The verdict: The Church of Green Bay passed the test with top marks.

"Everybody in Green Bay has been wonderful today, so we know he's going to be in good, kind, loving hands. We thank everyone for the day," said Clare Paonessa. "Pittsburgh is very sorry to lose (Bp. Zubik), but we're very happy he's going to be in Green Bay."

Pittsburgh Bp. Donald Wuerl said, "Obviously, we hate to see him go, but to see him come to this wonderful diocese and to see the responsibilities he has now and the wonderful people he will be working with makes this very satisfying."

"You are so fortunate to have Bp. Zubik," said Ellen O'Brien. "He's a marvelous man of faith and we'll miss him badly - terribly - but we're glad for you that you have him."

Sr. Patrice Hughes, president of ACES/Xavier Educational System in Appleton, has known Bp. Zubik since she welcomed him to his first assignment as a priest.

"I think he's given the right message: 'I'm here to serve. I love the church. I love people and together we're going to do many great things,'" she said. "His gesture of acknowledgment to Bp. Banks was sincere and that's so typical of Bp. Zubik. He knows that gratitude is a gift of the heart and he has a big heart."

Sr. Francine Goodman, OSF, pastoral associate at St. Mary Parish, Kaukauna, is "hopeful. He seems like a very warm gentleman and I wish him the very best."

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 • Promises to learn Spanish     Guadalupe celebration enjoyed by Bp. Zubik     and Hispanic community • 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

Cinde Becker, pastoral associate at St. Joseph Parish, Oneida, said she is "really touched by how personal Bp. Zubik is. He seems to really want to win our hearts and I think his motto from the Gospel that 'Nothing is impossible with God,' means that he going to be relying on God and God will be the strength."

Don Coenen, also of St. Joseph, Oneida, said Bp. Zubik is "very loving, very caring. Just a nice guy."

Sr. Caroline Sullivan, OP, director of the Bridge-between Retreat Center in Denmark, said she liked the "inclusivity of the cultures, men and women together equally even though there was a difference. It's probably the most inclusive celebration we've had in the diocese."

Bp. Daniel DiNardo of Sioux City, Iowa, a former classmate, and a priest of the Pittsburgh Diocese before being named a bishop in 1997, predicted that Bp. Zubik will adapt well to Green Bay.

He "is a very generous, outgoing individual," Bp. DiNardo said. "He has a great heart. He is going to make some changes from Bp. Banks, no question, but at the same time, people will see he will go out of his way to be with God's people."

He said Bp. Zubik will listen to others and learn, but he will provide direction too. "He will push vocations to the priesthood. He's young and vigorous, as you can tell. He's energetic and raring to go."

Bp. DiNardo described Bp. Zubik as deeply spiritual with a strong devotion to Mary. Six years of service as an auxiliary bishop matured him, he added. "He's realistic about things that can be done, but still retains a little fringe of that idealism that I remember from the seminary."

He said the installation Mass homily was typical of his friend. "He likes to go out and talk out loud in front of people. He's not one to read from a paper."

Finally came the verdict from Bp. Zubik's mother, Susan: "I always felt that it's what he wanted and I'm happy for him and happy for this day. He chose the right profession."

(Jeff Kurowski contributed to this story.)