Leaving Green Bay tugs at bishop's heart

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Bishop David A. Zubik kneels to greet Dorothy Bostedt, who is pictured with her nephew, Fr. John Bergstadt, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Howard, following a farewell Mass Sept. 16 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. (Sam Lucero photo)

GREEN BAY -- "I would hope that when people remember me, they say, 'He really wanted to be here, and he really loved us.' That was always my intention," said Bishop David A. Zubik. "I came here as a stranger and you welcomed me. I hope people know that I really tried so hard to be a part of the faith community. I had a lot of catching up to do, but this became my home."

Next Friday, Sept. 28, Bishop Zubik will officially become the 12th bishop of Pittsburgh. On Dec. 12, 2003, he was installed as the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, an appointment he expected to serve until retirement at age 75.

"People have said that I was naïve to believe that," said Bishop Zubik. "I really expected to be here. I believe that's the way leaders of the church should be. Take pride and passion in serving day-to-day. When the Holy Spirit says you are going to move, take that same passion to your next assignment."

Pittsburgh marks a return home for Bishop Zubik. He said there are similarities between the faithful of both dioceses.

"In the people of Green Bay and the people of Pittsburgh, there is an appreciation for family and a deep loyalty to the Church," he said. "That spirit for the church is similar to the spirit for the football teams in both communities."

"I wouldn't be truthful if I said I wasn't excited to go back home," he added. "My roots are there. My friends are there. Everything familiar is there. But it's a tug of the heart at the same time because Green Bay has become my new home. There are tremendous bonds here between myself as the bishop and the faithful."

Lessons learned

In his nearly four years in the Diocese of Green Bay, Bishop Zubik said he learned a great deal. Three areas of significant growth stand out as he reflects on his time in Northeast Wisconsin.

"I've really become a much more careful listener," he said. "I always felt I was a good listener, but that talent was fine-tuned in Green Bay. I realized there is a different culture here. People's experience of church is different. I needed to be able to listen carefully to people's issues by way of letters or conversations. Oftentimes their opinions differed from mine, but by listening to one another, we respect one another.

	S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n: Shepherding God's People A Farewell to Bishop Zubik
	• Photo slideshow with audio: Bishop Zubik farewell Mass   (best viewed with a high-speed Internet connection; requires Flash plug-in) • Other articles from this special section • Previous coverage of Bishop Zubik's appointment to Pittsburgh
	Only in the Print Edition ... Articles found only in the special section of the Sept. 21, 2007 Compass print edition: • Friends from bishop's hometown recall ties • Bishop addressed four main goals while here • Farewell reflections from other bishops, community leaders     and readers • Profiles of the 11 men who have served as bishop of the     Diocese of Green Bay • Bishop David A. Zubik biography • Subscribe to print edition

"Leading a faith community is an awesome trust God places in you," he added. "This experience, my first experience of being a diocesan bishop, has also made me a man of deeper prayer."

Bishop Zubik said he also learned the importance of having active lay leadership in the church, something he plans to emphasize in Pittsburgh.

While serving in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, he worked with then-Bishop Donald Wuerl, now archbishop of Washington, D.C., for 16 years. Because of his close relationship with his predecessor, people may think it will be business as usual in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, but Bishop Zubik does not see it that way.

"Four years is a significant amount of time," he said. "Because of the people of Green Bay, I've changed, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh has changed. I hope there is openness on behalf of the Church of Pittsburgh and myself. I hope the people of Green Bay will be praying for me."

Community voice

Bishop Zubik said he did follow Archbishop Wuerl's lead in taking an active role in political and civic issues as leader of the faithful.

"Archbishop Wuerl always wanted to put the Church of Pittsburgh on the map," he said. "I've tried to strengthen the reputation of the Church of Green Bay. The Catholic Church and the diocese need to be respected. We cannot be segregated from the rest of society. We need to be respected as an equal playing partner. Our voice needs to be heard as much as the business community, the health care community, the political community or the civic community. The voice of faith has something to say about society. Many in the secular sector may not agree with us, but they will respect who we are."

Bishop Zubik added that he is appreciative of the media. He feels he was treated fairly and kindly by both the print and electronic media.

"I hope they (media) were able to get a good sense of who I am," he said. "I never took people for granted. When I walked into a press conference, I tried to greet everyone in the room. A good friend of mine, a lead anchor in Pittsburgh, once told me that when talking to reporters, situate yourself like you are talking with your grandmother. I've tried to do that."

Loss of mother

The most difficult time in Green Bay was the death of his mother, Susan, Jan. 16, 2006, but Bishop Zubik believes God's hand was there in making sure his family went through that experience in Green Bay.

"The medical community here is, bar none, first rate," he said. "Everyone in health care here was so personal and so helpful while my mother was battling cancer. I am forever grateful."

"We've created some deep roots here," he added. "People would expect that my dad (Stan) would be excited to go to Pittsburgh, but that's not necessarily the case. This has become home to him. He's made the adjustment. At age 80, it's not easy to move again."

Bishop Zubik assures the people of the Green Bay Diocese that they haven't seen the last of him.

"I hope to be invited back," he said. "I've already received some invitations to some special events. I will always be respectful of my successor. Bishop (Robert) Banks has been so good to me in so many ways. There was such a graciousness and respect he showed me when he was invited to celebrations in the diocese. I want to show that kind of hospitality."

'Bishop Al'

Bishop Zubik said he is also thankful for his time with the late Bishop Aloysius Wycislo.

"We had wonderful conversations," he said. "If I ever felt perplexed, I would call him and ask, 'Al, can I come over and talk?' He had a great deal of wisdom and a wonderful perspective about the church from his work with the Second Vatican Council."

"I also have to thank Bishop (Robert) Morneau for his support," he continued. "His talents are exceptional. There have also been a number of times where I've contacted Cardinal (Adam) Maida for his input. I have a deep gratitude for all they have done."

Bishop Zubik's hope for the Diocese of Green Bay is continued movement forward on such initiatives as Advancing the Mission (ATM) and the new strategic plan for education.

"There is a natural tendency for people to think the bishop is moving so ATM stops, for example," he said. "The spirit is still directing. These initiatives were implemented with deliberate consultation. They have been put in place with the support of the people and that support will help fulfill the mission of growing the church."

Bishop Zubik is scheduled to leave for Pittsburgh on Sept. 25. He said he has already thought about the emotions of that day.

A heavy heart

"I don't like long wakes," he said. "We will start with Mass and then begin the 12-hour drive. I will leave here with a heavy heart. I think about the first parish I visited in the diocese, St. Mary, Maplewood. I was there for confirmation two days after I was installed as bishop. I remember the deep pride people displayed for their faith community. It's a beautiful church and the people were excited about their young people. I've been to almost every one of the 162 parishes in the diocese and the consistent thread is that pride the people feel for their faith community.

"When I came here, I didn't know a single thing about the diocese," he added. "From my first day, the people have been so warm and welcoming. Since the announcement of my going to Pittsburgh, people I see tell me they are happy I'm going home, but they are going to miss me. That means so much to me. I hope they know how much I care about them.

"As some people know, I have a 'Pittsburgh wall' at the house with photos from important events. I plan to have a 'Green Bay wall' in my office. I've had all the posters framed from such campaigns as the Bishop's Appeal and the seminarian collection. I also want to display photos that demonstrate what it meant to me to be here. I'm proud to be a part of the rich history of this diocese, and a lot of that rich history is relationships. I cherish my relationships here and I just hope the people know how much I love them."