Comments on Bishop Zubik and his first year in Green Bay

	Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary
	• Bishop finds rich culture steeped in family  • Highlights of Bishop's first year in diocese  • 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.

Special charisms

The man is a contemporary shepherd, gifted with special charisms to lead his flock in the Diocese of Green Bay. A good shepherd knows his sheep and in coming to know them can love them more deeply. His visits and physical outreaches to so many of us attest to this.

A good shepherd will guide his flock down paths of righteousness. His words, writings, good counsel and superb example do these things so well in light of Holy Mother church's teaching.

I wish for many more years of togetherness with our shepherd leading us home.

Nancy Spiegelhoff
Green Bay

Impressed

The minute I met Bp. Zubik for the first time I was impressed. His warm, genuine and firm handshake said so much about his character. When he said his first Mass at Holy Innocents in Manitowoc, he stayed after the service and was determined to meet everyone who wanted to meet him - he did not rush people and he always made eye contact.

He also has a lighter side which sees him having fun at a Green Bay Packer game and reminds the fans he was raised in a Pittsburgh Steelers atmosphere. He is so proud of who he is and talks about his heritage often.

Our diocese is so blessed with such a humble man. God bless him.

Mary Graczyk,
Manitowoc

Humbling

Last summer I had an experience which brought me a little humility. I, like some others, have a tendency to be a name dropper, or brag about celebrities we know or meet.

While at the airport a while ago, I saw Bp. Zubik standing alone waiting for his ride. I knew he had planned a trip to Sarasota, where my ill sister lives, and thought he might be returning. I was curious if the priest he was visiting there might be at the same church that my sister attends - because they have nine priests in that parish.

So I went over and talked with him. I had met him at several functions when serving as honor guard with the Knights of Columbus, and last year at the Hibernian celebration.

I returned to my van and the flight attendant I was waiting for came out for her ride to the motel.

I asked her if she was by any chance Catholic. She replied hesitantly, "Well, yes". I said, "That person over there is Bp. David Zubik." She said, "I know. He was on our flight." I said, "Really". She said she grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Catholic school there. She said, "By the way what do bishops do?" I gave her a layman's general job description about being spiritual leader for about 20% of all the Catholics in the state. I asked, "Why do you ask?" She said "Well, I saw him and knew I recognized him, so I went up to him and said "Fr. Dave, what are you doing now?" He replied that he was bishop of the Green Bay Diocese. She replied to him that he taught her catechism in grade school back in Pittsburgh.

Here I was telling her that I knew Bp. Zubik well enough to talk to and she knew him back when he was "Fr. Dave." She said he hadn't changed much. Bp. Dave, you are a people's priest.

Jerry Meyer,
Green Bay

Relates to all

We had the privilege of attending several of Bp. Zubik's masses. What a dynamic speaker. We always remember his sermons as he can relate to both young and old. We have truly been blessed to have him in our diocese. God bless him with many more years!

Marv & Audrey Huss,
Kaukauna

Thank yous

Thank you for coming to Green Bay.

Thank you for celebrating Mass with us at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the early days as our Bishop. It was kind of you to meet each one of us at the reception after.

Thank you for celebrating Mass with all Catholic grade and high school students at St. Joseph's Church and giving them a free day.

And especially thank you for your weekly epistles in The Compass. I enjoy references to "old" movies, heroes and heroines.

May God continue to bless you and keep you as our Bishop for many years.

P.S. My Mom's parents came from Bohemia.

Mary Ann Hamilton,
Marinette

Reaches out

As Coordinator of Health Affairs I had many opportunities to communicate with Bp. Zubik and observe his interactions with others. I have especially noted his interest in the delivery of Catholic Health Care. He is eager to reach out to Catholic health leaders and to the patients and residents they serve.

It is his intention to visit all the Catholic sponsored hospitals and nursing homes in the Diocese. He brings the prayer support of the Church of Green Bay to each of these places. And when there are issues where the Bishop's approval or endorsement is needed, he demonstrates a willingness to listen and to seek consultation. I have enjoyed working with him and look forward to continued ministry as his liaison for health care.

May God continue to bless him with good health.

Fr. Richard Klingeisen,
Diocesan Coordinator of Health Affairs

He does care

During this first year of Bp. Zubik's time in the Diocese of Green Bay, he came to St. Patrick Parish in Menasha to help us celebrate 150 years as a parish. His parents also attended the Mass so he shared those closest to him with all of us. He does care!

We appreciate his ideas to improve the many problems with the shortage of priests.

We welcome him to our area with open arms.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hill,
Menasha

Warm, sincere

I had the opportunity to hear Bp. Zubik at St. Joseph's, Wautoma, at a wonderful question and answer session. I was impressed with his warmth and sincerity.

As we were all milling around later, I was introduced to Msgr. John Schuh by a mutual friend. I was also then introduced to Bp. Zubik.

When we were leaving, hugs were being exchanged, and to my great honor, I was hugged by Bp. Zubik. What a warm, spiritual gesture on his part. God bless you.

Audrey Klamrowski,
Redgranite

Privilege

On Nov. 20 I was privileged to celebrate Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Church with Bp. Zubik. The occasion was the installation of Fr. Hilary Brzezinski as administrator of St. Mary Parish. It was a meaningful Mass and Bp. Zubik gave an inspiring sermon.

I would like to ask a few questions, however. What does administrator of the parish mean and what are Fr. Hilary's duties? What is the difference between administrator, vicar and pastor? Do we no longer call the head of a parish its pastor? In the future will some other priest become our pastor?

Maybe Bp. Zubik could write an article for The Compass and let Catholics know what the new terms mean.

Carol Bubnik,
Green Bay

Faithful

Dear Bishop Zubik,

Thank you for coming to our small church for the third time this year. You are a very faithful person. You are very nice.

Cody Johnsen-Duquaine, Age 11
Green Bay

Appreciation

It is with great appreciation that we write this note regarding Bp. Zubik.

In the short time Bp. Zubik has been here, he has taken the time to listen and understand the need for a full-time priest for our three parishes in Marion, Tigerton and Wittenberg. The outcome of his concerns for us was his sending Fr. John Girotti to be our shepherd, for whom we are most grateful. Fr. Girotti has been a blessing for our three parishes.

With our parishes being on the far west end of the diocese it was a rare occasion to have a bishop visit. Bp. Zubik has already visited all three of our linked parishes.

We are grateful to have a bishop who is caring and concerned about, and addresses the needs of his flock.

Roger & Margaret Chase,
Wittenberg

Down-to-earth

Our small community of Stiles, was graced by Bp. Zubik on Aug. 8. He came and celebrated Mass at our "small white church on the hill" overlooking the beautiful Machickanee flowage. My husband and I were immensely impressed with his down-to-earth connection with the parishioners.

He was friendly and his common touch was what impressed us most. His homily was delivered from memory as he made contact with everyone in the church. He is an extremely dynamic speaker and his message of tolerance blended in well with our rural community.

He also had the opportunity to give a "high five" to my grandson, Caydn Carlson. His common touch with children especially was noted by us. My husband, John, and I look forward to meeting him again soon.

We understand that he has a large parish with many, many churches and we really appreciate having met him on a one-on-one situation and we were able to discuss some of the challenges that are going to be meeting our diocese in the next 10 years.

Cindy Evans,
Oconto

Supportive

May I salute my memories of a very young man who stopped each day after school to say the Stations of the Cross! After arriving home for dinner, he would walk miles to his beloved grandmother's home in rain, snow, and so on, to share saying the rosary in his native language.

My children were 3, 5, and 6 years old and because Bp. Zubik was a neighbor, I enlisted his assistance to babysit my children. How blessed they were to have him oversee their antics!

I and my family have observed Bp. Zubik as a young man, entering the priesthood and his priestly influence on our steel town as he shared his many talents, including principal at our local Catholic high school.

What God and destiny had for Bp. Zubik was "He had just begun to serve." His humility, sincerity and love of God and his people is so evident. To know him is to love him!

We as a family cherish his friendship and shall never forget how supportive he was when we lost our father and my husband.

Congratulations Bp. David! Your star is brilliant. God bless you.

Lillian Del Bene and Family,
Exton, Pa.

Good fortune

I had the good fortune to have met Bp. Zubik quite some time ago while shopping at the Sentry store on Webster Avenue. I said hello to the bishop and the first thing he did was to ask for my name. That really impressed me.

Approximately two weeks ago I had good fortune again to meet him and his mother at the Allouez Café. I could not wait to introduce him to my wife, Madonna, and my son, Brian. Again his first words were to ask our names. I told him my wife had been a church organist at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Sugarbush for over 40 years. I mentioned she had played for Fr. John Schmitt whose funeral Mass Bishop Zubik had just held recently at Two Rivers. Our whole family loved Fr. John, including my folks and wives.

We just want to say how lucky the Green Bay Diocese is to have Bp. David Zubik as its leader. We know also he will create a super communication with all faiths in the diocese which is needed for the good of all.

Lloyd & Madonna Van Lieshout,
Luxemburg

Took the time

I had the honor of meeting Bp. Zubik while he was visiting our hospital, Langlade Memorial, in Antigo. He had toured our department, met with staff, then was on his busy way to visit with others.

Shortly after he left my patient woke up and was sad to know that he had missed the excitement. So, I called and asked Sr. Dee if she thought the Bishop could take time out of his busy schedule to come back and spend a moment with a very special man. (I work in an Oncology unit and always get close to my patients and them me, in that closeness I learned how much this gentleman's faith and God meant to him.)

Bp. Zubick was back within minutes. I know he was busy, but, to see him with this patient you would have never known it. The kindness, compassion and concern was incredible. A peacefulness came over all.... Bp. Zubick was certainly the eyes and hands of Christ this day. This moment Mick and I shared until his death and I'll never forget. Thank you Bp. Zubick.

Kathryn Barta-Orlet RN,OCN,
Antigo

Gratifying

Speaking of a down to earth, man of the people person, Bp. Zubik exhibited all of these attributes when I spotted him at a local supper club on a Saturday evening recently. I walked up to him, introduced myself and told him how pleased I was to meet him. He, in turn, walked into the barroom, where my wife was seated, and proceeded to bless us both. We have never experienced such a gratifying occasion and were much elated, to say the least.

Ray & Mary Kay Brock,
Appleton

Blessed

I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have worked for and with Bp. Zubik during his first year as leader of the Diocese of Green Bay. Even though I recently left diocesan employment to resume my career in city management, I regard the brief time I spent with Bp. Zubik as very rewarding and spiritually uplifting.

I distinctly remember his first meeting with the diocesan staff and his unique ability to connect with each of us on an individual level and then seeing that same ability being demonstrated time and time again with the many people he encountered during his first few months in office.

Also, certainly a highlight for our family was Bp. Zubik's confirming of our son Joel at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in De Pere and Bishop's ability to relate the Gospel to these young Catholic Christians in a deeply moving and profound way.

Indeed, the Catholic Church in Northeastern Wisconsin is fortunate and blessed to have Bp. David Zubik as its spiritual and temporal leader. May God continue to bountifully bless his ministry and work in the future!

Kevin Brunner,
De Pere

Concern for others

What most impresses me about Bp. David Zubik is his concern for the people of northeastern Wisconsin who have the least influence. On the very first day he visited the Green Bay Diocese he did not meet with the "movers and shakers," but went immediately after his news conference to visit Paul's Pantry and a Catholic elementary school. He is a pastoral priest and we are so fortunate to have him as our bishop.

Fran Chapman Frigo,
DePere

Very impressed

I watched Bp. Zubik on TV last year when he was installed. I was very proud to have my mother at the ceremony. I was also at the very first Confirmation Bp. Zubik did in our diocese last December. My nephew got confirmed at this Mass. I was very impressed with him as he did his homily at the confirmation and included the students. He asked some very good questions and I felt made the whole congregation feel more a part of the liturgy. I was introduced to him after and felt he was very personable and easy to talk to. He seems real.

I attended this year's Crozier Society Mass and luncheon. Again, I was very impressed with Bp. Zubik's homily and how it could relate to anyone of any age. At the meal I watched as he walked around to converse with the tables of people.

I am very impressed with the way he makes everyone feel at home in his presence. I would feel comfortable approaching him. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel he is a great guy in general and I'm glad to have him as the Bishop of our diocese. Thanks for being a wonderful leader to people of all ages. You are very blessed.

Jane Haase,
Algoma

Holy ground

"You are on holy ground." Certainly the first visit of Bp. Zubik to our St. John Nepomucene Parish of Little Chute, left not only to us, but also to him a memory we and the bishop will never forget. Having Bp. Zubik put on his apron right before he blessed our new altar top was an experience in itself. He continued history here at St. John, as it was in 1836 that Fr. Theodore Van den Broek came to Little Chute to teach the Indians ,and started a mission. By being here Bp. Zubik continued a string of every diocesan bishop to attend our parish. As we ring our 1870 church bell each day we say congratulations on your first year here, and many more.

Eugene "Gene" Janssen,
Little Chute

Candor impresses

I met Bp. Zubik at the Greenville pastor installation. Bp. Zubik impressed me with his genuine candor and concern in homily, his personal touches and glances in liturgy and installation and his warmth in narthex post Mass. He is an approachable bishop and I was honored to talk and compliment him on his voting paper and was privileged to kiss his ring as in days of old. May Bp. David be blessed in his reorganization processes and continue as our beloved paternal shepherd.

Albin Krajna,
Appleton

Blessed

How blessed you are! As you are aware by this time, Bp. David Zubik is a wonderful, prayerful and compassionate leader. His assignment to Green Bay was a tremendous loss to Pittsburgh where he is still greatly missed and loved. I doubt that there will ever be another like him. Please cherish him, keep him well and appreciate the tremendous gift you have received.

May God bless Bp. David for all the days of his life. He is a gifted, humble and holy priest. May he continue to know the love and respect of the fortunate people in his flock. Happy anniversary, dear friend!

Lillian Label,
Pittsburgh

So cool

I met Bp. Zubik when he came to say Mass at St. Bernard Church in Green Bay. I had never seen a bishop before. His big hat and staff that he carried was SO cool! After Mass I got to meet him in person. He will be a very good Bishop for Green Bay because he cares so much for everyone.

I got to meet him another time when Nana took me to the Zoo for Mass out there. Nana and I got to carry the gifts up to him and he bent over and said "thank you" to me. He is a really nice person and I hope he stays in Green Bay for a long time.

Michaela Meyer, Age 8
St. Bernard School, Green Bay

Shepherd

Bp. Zubik, our shepherd truly loves his flock and it comes through as he makes everyone he meets feel special. Thank you God and we all join You in blessing Bp. Zubik and his work.

William (Bill) Massey,
Ellison Bay

Dedication

Thank you for your leadership, courage and unwavering dedication to the truth. You have given us the example of Jesus Christ by your willingness to sacrifice for the people in the diocese of Green Bay. Let us pray for Bp. Zubik and look within, asking God to reveal where and how He may be calling us to change our hearts.

Mary Beth Meehl,
Neenah

Impressive

I had the joy of attending two celebrations in which Bp. Zubik was the presider: The ceremony recognizing the newly commissioned ministers and the Jubilee Mass for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Bay Settlement. It was very impressive and touching to see how Bp. Zubik was present to the people being recognized.

Bp. Zubik not only greeted each one by name, but walked over to each one, spoke to her or him with gratitude, hugged the individual, and recognized the gift each person is to our church and community.

Sr. Sandy Peterson, SSND,
Bear Creek

Best wishes

We extend our best wishes on your first anniversary as our bishop.

Arlene Wagner and the parishioners of Ss. Joseph & Edward Parish
Community of Walsh

Personable

I met Bp. Zubik this past April when I was Confirmation sponsor for my granddaughter Megan at Holy Family in Wittenberg. He was so friendly and personable. After Mass he graciously posed for numerous photos.

Kathleen Zarda,
Mattoon