Bittersweet

Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Other items on Bishop Zubik: This issue: • Bishop: Still very much in charge until Sept. 28 • When Bp. Zubik leaves, what happens next?   Sidebar: Diocesan College of Consultors July 20, 2007 issue: • Letter from Bishop David Zubik   (en Español) • Pope names Bp. Zubik to head Diocese of Pittsburgh (New since print edition) • Photo slideshow: Bishop Zubik's time in Green Bay (New since print edition) Items posted July 18 as New since the print edition in July 6, 2007 issue: • Bp. David A. Zubik to return to Pittsburgh as its twelfth bishop   Sidebar: Biographical info. From Dec. 10, 2004 issue: • Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary From Jan. 2, 2004 issue: • True to his word: New bishop on road again • New shepherd visits the Valley • Bridging the Gap column: Taking role of bridge builder Coverage of Bishop Zubik's installation as Bishop of Green Bay: • Dec. 19, 2003 Web issue • Dec. 12, 2003 Web issue Coverage of Bishop Zubik being named 11th bishop of Green Bay: • Nov. 7-21, 2003 coverage • Oct. 10-17, 2003 coverage

When someone you know is moving on, there is always a touch of bittersweet. You're happy for the person because he is moving on to new, exciting work, beginning a new stage of life or following the siren call that always drives her forward in life.

And you're also sad, because they are leaving. You have become used to his presence, fond of her kindnesses, used to working together, and challenged to grow by their presence.

Such it is for our local church as we prepare to say farewell to Bp. David Zubik as he moves on to become Pittsburgh's bishop.

It has been a short, but busy three years and nine months since that October morning when we learned that we had a new bishop, following the retirement of Bp. Robert Banks.

Bp. Zubik started fast - visiting the press and diocesan staff, schools, Paul's Pantry, St. Mary's Hospital and what would be his cathedral - all on Oct. 10, 2003. And he never stopped.

As he said at a press conference July 19, the day after he was named to Pittsburgh, "I've worked (in Green Bay) as hard as I've ever worked ... and put every ounce of energy into this. This was not a job I was sent to do, this was part of God's call."

That work has included ordaining 10 priests and 27 deacons, commissioning 49 lay people for parish ministry through the Commissioned Ministry Program, beginning the Seminarian Collection, starting the diocesan stewardship campaign "Advancing the Mission," working to create a safe environment for children, directing the diocesan education department to formulate strategic plans for faith formation, and overseeing collaboration in parish and school planning and reorganization.

As Bp. Zubik said at a July 19 press conference, "the work of the diocese doesn't stop" because he is moving on. The work of the church goes on because the Spirit is alive and working in it. The work of that church is our work, Coworkers in the Vineyard, which continues as we travel these final weeks with Bp. Zubik and then await his successor.

So it is sweet to know that our work goes on, and sweet to know that Bp. Zubik's work goes on, just in a different place. The challenges and the sacred call remain for all of us.

But the bitter comes in knowing that change has once again swept over us, altering our lives. It's time to say farewell to the past and cast ourselves off, with faith, into the future. And, as we prepare to part ways with Bp. Zubik, it's a blessing to know that "our work continues."

May God bless us all in that work - here and in Pittsburgh.