Happy first

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary
	• Bishop finds rich culture steeped in family  • Highlights of Bishop's first year in diocese  • Comments on Bishop Zubik and his first year in Green Bay  • Additional coverage of Bishop David    Zubik's first anniversary as Bishop of    Green Bay can be found in a special    supplement available in the print edition.  • See also archived coverage from the    Dec. 12, 2003 and Dec. 19, 2003 issues.

One year has passed since Bp. David Zubik was installed as the 11th Bishop of Green Bay, and what a year it's been.

After being told late on the afternoon of Oct. 9 that we had a new bishop whose appointment would be announced the next morning, I looked him up on Catholic News Service. A search of their photo files found a shot of him that was anything but complimentary.

A search of the news archives was a little more revealing. There wasn't much, but it did confirm that he was a strong advocate of the right to life - hardly a surprise, but reassuring nonetheless. Plus, on the evening sextuplets were born in the 28th week of pregnancy, he had gone to the hospital and used an eyedropper to baptize the six babies of longtime family friends. That certainly had a nice people feel to it.

Other than that, not much. The next day we learned more when he met with diocesan staff. He immediately charmed us with his warmth, wit, energy, concern and interest - shaking each person's hand and focusing on them as a person.

Next came a quick tour of his new See city. First stop was St. Agnes Church, where the installation Mass would be celebrated in two months, and then meeting students at the adjoining Holy Family School. After that came stops at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Paul's Pantry, where he again shook hands and spoke with people. That day provided a capsule view of what lay ahead.

The diocesan offices whirred with activity the next two months preparing for the gregarious Bp. David Zubik after 13 years under the more reserved Bp. Robert Banks.

As part of our preparation at The Compass, I did a phone interview with Bp. Zubik for a story in the installation issue. He was busy with daily calls from the Green Bay diocesan offices, tying up loose ends in the Pittsburgh diocesan offices, packing, saying his farewells and doing those many other things he can't seem to say "No" to.

But we had a delightful, unhurried interview. He told me about his love for movies, cars, his maternal grandmother, God and Jesus - all things we hold in common. He was preparing to move many miles to an area he had never lived. I assured him that, from my own experience 14 years earlier, he would quickly fall in love with the people and the place and that love would be returned.

Listening to him, I knew my prayers had been answered. I certainly could never have said that David Zubik should be our next bishop since I'd never even heard his name. But I had thought a great deal about what our next bishop should be like: outgoing, prayerful, concerned about people, committed to the church, a strong supporter of evangelization, faith formation and education for all ages, and safe environments. That perfectly described him.

After one year in office, those who work with him still marvel at his seemingly endless energy, which he channels into serving the Church - the people - of Green Bay and the church universal. All his meetings begin and end with prayer led by him or someone in the group. And it's not just a quick set prayer, but something from the heart that speaks to the needs at hand, including the attendees' personal concerns. Once, we prayed together for my brother, who was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. After my brother's death, Bp. Zubik pulled me aside and offered me his condolences.

In all honesty, he has been a little too hands-on so far, but I think that's because he's new here and wants to know how everything works. His appointments of Dcn. Tim Reilly as director of administration, Doris Vincent as associate director of administration, Fr. Paul Demuth as vicar for ministers, Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs as diocesan assistance coordinator, Fr. John Doerfler as chancellor and Msgr. Brian Coleman as vice chancellor, indicate his desire to do more pastoring and less administration. The appointments of such highly competent people will make that possible.

Bp. Zubik enjoys reminding all that "Nothing is impossible with God" - his episcopal motto. We certainly saw proof of that when the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. All we need now is a Packers' Super Bowl win - perhaps over the Pittsburgh Steelers - and there will be no doubters.

Congratulations to both Bp. Zubik and the Church of Green Bay. May this anniversary be the first of many to come.