Bishop finds rich culture steeped in family

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary
	• Highlights of Bishop's first year in diocese  • Comments on Bishop Zubik and his first year in Green Bay  • Editorial -- Happy first  • 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.

Bp. David Zubik describes himself as very introspective, so he has reflected often on his first-year experiences as bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.

"I've been reflecting all year," he said. "I really take my responsibilities very seriously. I realize what a tremendous act of trust the Holy Father placed in me by asking me to serve here. I love the people here in the diocese very much. I'm very happy to be here."

A year ago, he admits that he didn't know what to expect. Being appointed to a position of leadership in a place where you don't know a single person, the area or the customs was initially difficult, he said.

"It was not my intention to recreate southwest Pennsylvania in northeast Wisconsin," said Bp. Zubik. "I wanted become a part of northeast Wisconsin. The people here have helped me to become one of them. We are on the same page in faith. I'm catching up with the culture. It's a rich culture, one I find to be very much a family, more so than any other place I've faced in the country."

"I feel a little bit more comfortable getting in my car and driving north, south, east or west," he added. "I still feel a sense of challenge getting to know even more of the outlying areas of the diocese and the faces and names of people, especially the priests."

Visits throughout the diocese stand out as some of Bp. Zubik's fondest memories from the past year.

"I've had a chance to meet so many people," he said. "I've gone to the parishes, the schools, the hospitals, the skilled care centers. It's really given me a chance to meet people, see where they live, and see the rich heritage of our diocese, the rich heritage of our faith. I wish I could have met more people this year."

Among Bp. Zubik's visits were celebrations of Holy Spirit Masses at the six diocesan high schools and two Catholic colleges. He hopes to make the Masses an annual tradition during the opening weeks of the school year, and return to the schools throughout the academic year.

"I was so impressed with the attitudes of the students, which leads me to believe that they really enjoy being at the Catholic schools and they are there for the right reason," he said. "The work that the faculty and administrators do in our schools is outstanding. In Pennsylvania, the kids were good, but we didn't get the response we got here for the Holy Spirit Masses. I see it as the tenor of the times. Students want a good education and they want to be really strong in faith formation. I think it says something about the parents as well."

Looking back at accomplishments in the diocese during his first year, Bp. Zubik doesn't point to any specific decisions, but instead takes pride in the relationship of Catholics to the Church of Green Bay.

"I have really felt a very strong sense of building trust in the church even beyond sexual abuse," he said. "People have bent over backwards to give me the benefit of the doubt. This is my first time being the head of a diocese. You really do learn by the seat of your pants. I've made mistakes. I think part of my role as a leader is to take the best consultation, be open to God's guidance and prayer, and make a decision."

"Sometimes you hit it right on the mark, sometimes you don't," he continued. "I'm just grateful to people for being understanding with me, and for giving me the time and space to get to know the diocese, to get to know people and make the best decisions I can."

Bp. Zubik is respectful of opposing views.

"I realize that we are not always going to agree on everything, but I certainly hope that the folks who disagree with me know that I respect them," he said. "At the same time, I hope that they respect me as well. That's part of who we are as church."

Addressing the problem of sexual misconduct was a priority for Bp. Zubik upon being appointed the 11th bishop of the Church of Green Bay. The Policy on Maintaining Safe Environments for the diocese complies with the national framework for preventing abuse. Bp. Zubik is pleased with the process. He credits the work of Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs, ANG, assistance coordinator; Tony Kuick, director of communications; Fr. John Doerfler, new diocesan chancellor; Karen Bass, safe environment assistant; and the diocesan VIRTUS training team.

"We've worked hard," he said. "I feel that we've done a good job. It's been a conscientious response, not only to clergy sexual misconduct, but all sexual misconduct."

Bp. Zubik also pointed to vocations as an area of progress.

"I have confidence in both Fr. Doug (LeCaptain) and Fr. Mark (Vander Steeg) who are committed to vocations work," he said. "Fr. Doug has a great deal of energy and skills with regard to formation. Fr. Mark has a great enthusiasm in recruitment. There are a lot of candidates out there. I've done a lot of visiting this past year. More often than not, somebody will come to me and say, 'I'm kind of intrigued by the priesthood. I may consider becoming a priest.' There have been many times where I've asked people to consider that question and the response has been positive. We have a shortage of priests, but the positive is that our numbers (seminarians) have doubled in the last five years. That's a credit to Bp. (Robert) Banks and the vocations staff."

Looking ahead, reorganization, highlighting the importance of the Eucharist, education and evangelization are goals for 2005, said Bp. Zubik. Parish reorganization through the parish planning process and staff reorganization are being explored and implemented this year.

"Parish planning is a very wise investment in the future," said Bp. Zubik. "We are realizing changing demographics. We are realizing changes in the number of priests. We are realizing how much our lay people have to give. Through parish reorganization, we are able to put our best foot forward to work together to help our church grow."

"The staff reorganization decisions are reflective of the spirit of the area and help us move forward," he added. "We are working as a team to determine how we are going to operate as a diocese. A synod will help us plan our goals and objectives for the next 10 to 20 years. We will be embarking on the synod project in 2006."

Bp. Zubik describes the "Year of the Eucharist," now underway, as an opportunity provided through the wisdom of our Holy Father.

"It's a good time for people to gain a deeper appreciation for prayer, that is the Eucharist, the Mass," he said. "It concerns me a lot, not just locally, but across the world, that there doesn't seem to be as much appreciation for the Eucharist as there needs to be."

"This year also provides people the opportunity to learn more about the Eucharist," he said. "It can also draw us closer as a church. Every month I will be visiting a different vicariate for an evening prayer service focusing on the Eucharist. We had one already at Cathedral. I invite people to come out to pray the Eucharist."

As proof that he has fully made the adjustment to northeast Wisconsin, Bp. Zubik pledges his promise and commitment to support the Green Bay Packers.

"My parents still support the Steelers," he said. "Luckily, Pittsburgh is in a different conference. My friends from Pittsburgh have been wonderful. I've had some who have visited me. I would be less than honest to say that I haven't missed them because I do, but that's part of the mission of being a shepherd."

"I have been awe inspired by the people of this diocese," he said. "The Bishop's Appeal is an example of the natural spirit of the people of the diocese to be of support and be of help. I've come to have a deep appreciation for Karen Johnston and the work of Catholic Charities. People here come together out of care and concern to respond to people of needs."

Bp. Zubik's passion for movies continues. "That's my relaxation," he said. "I try to catch a couple movies a month, when my schedule allows. I don't have a designated day off. My style is to keep moving ahead. There are a lot of challenges that I face."

"I'm looking forward to this next year," he added. "It's another year to become closer to each other, closer to God. This is where I firmly believe that God wants me to be. I want to give the people of this diocese the best that I can offer."