Highlights of Bishop's first year in diocese

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

	Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary
	• Bishop finds rich culture steeped in family  • 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.

Dec. 12, 2003: Installed at 11th Bishop of Green Bay at St. Agnes Church, Green Bay.

Dec. 13: Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration at St. Willebrord Parish, Hmong/Lao New Year celebration at St. Jude Parish, both in Green Bay.

Dec. 15-21: Regional visits to Antigo, Manitowoc, Green Bay, Marinette and the Fox Valley.

Jan. 6: Announced the Diocese is complying with national standards to keep children safe.

Jan. 23, 2004: Issued statement regarding politicians and the reception of Communion.

Feb. 20: Diocese devotes part of its website - www.gbdioc.org - to issue of clergy sexual abuse, including contact information for reporting abuse and reports issued by the diocese as part of national reporting.

Feb. 20: Bp. Zubik issues statement reiterating his commitment to protecting all people, including children, from sexual abuse.

March: Approved planning process for all parishes to address pastoral needs through the year 2010.

May 11: Ordained as permanent deacons: Raymond Ambrosius, Jr., Kenneth Banker, Gregory Humpal, Jeffrey Hofacker, Donald Coenen, G. Patrick Galhar, Donald Ropson, Charles Schumacher, Everett Doxtator, Raymond DuBois and Paul Cibula.

May 28: Made ad limina (every five years) visit to Pope John Paul II with the other bishops of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana - including Bps. Robert Banks and Robert Morneau.

June 3: Commissioned 10 lay parish leaders who have completed the Commissioned Ministry Formation program of the diocese.

June 5: Ordained Frs. Patrick Beno Jr. and Matt Settle to the priesthood.

June 6: Blessed the new church at Ss. Peter and Paul, Hortonville.

June 21: Stated support for audit based on national Charter for Protection of Children and Young People.

June 24: Blessed the new Bp. Wycislo Center at the Cathedral.

July 10-11: Announced that, on Jan. 1, Holy Angels Parish, Darboy, and Holy Name, Kimberly, will merge and become Holy Spirit Parish.

August: Named Reid Group of Seattle as consultants to study reorganization of diocesan administrative offices, with recommendations expected in January.

Aug, 15: Celebrated Mass, benediction and rosary procession at diocesan shrine of Our Lady of Good Help at Robinsonville.

Aug. 16: Opened his first Bishop's Charities Game (the 44th Charities Game) with the Packers vs. Seattle's Seahawks. (Packers lost 21-3.)

Aug. 28: Celebrated merger of Holy Martyrs of Gorcum Parish, Green Bay, and Holy Trinity Parish in Pine Grove into Prince of Peace Parish.

Aug.-Sept.: Celebrated Holy Spirit Masses at all six diocesan high schools (Marinette, Neenah, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Manitowoc and Appleton) and at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc and St. Norbert College, De Pere.

Sept. 1: Promulgates "Policy on Maintaining Safe Environments" which requires background checks and sex abuse awareness training for all priests, deacons, employees, ministers and adult volunteers of the diocese, its schools and parishes.

Sept. 20: Blessed cornerstone for renovation of Lourdes High School and St. John Neumann Middle School in Oshkosh.

Week of Oct. 11: Met with auditors from U.S. Bishops's National Review Board to evaluate local compliance with sexual abuse policies. On Oct. 15, announced the diocese is in compliance with these policies.

Oct. 15: Announced new leadership: Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs, assistance coordinator; Dcn. Tim Reilly, director of administration; Doris Vincent, assoc. director of administration; Fr. John Doerfler, chancellor; Msgr. Brian Coleman, vice chancellor; and Fr. Paul Demuth, vicar for Ministers. Team begins work Jan. 1.

Nov. 8: Begins year-long celebrations of regional Eucharistic Days for the Year of the Eucharist with Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Nov. 16: Elected to three-year term as chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Laity.

During the year, Bp. Zubik also celebrated anniversaries at parishes: Corpus Christi, Sturgeon Bay; St. Augustine, Chilton; St. Gregory, St. Nazianz; St. Patrick, Menasha; Nativity Parish in Green Bay; and St. Anthony School in Oconto Falls.

He dedicated additions and renovations: St. Pius X, Appleton; St. Mary, Chilton; St. Willebrord, Green Bay; St. John, Little Chute; Sacred Heart, Shawano; Sacred Heart/St. John School, Sherwood; St. Mary, Omro; Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay; All Saints, Denmark; Camp Tekawitha, Shawano; and Allouez Catholic Cemetery.