Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, October 3, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Attend Wisconsin Catholic Conference Board Meeting, Archbishop Cousins Center, Milwaukee Saturday, October 5, 2002 4:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Rededication of St. Coletta Chapel, Jefferson Sunday, October 6, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Respect Life Sunday, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Sunday, October 6, through Wednesday, October 9, 2002 Attend Presbyteral Assembly XXII, Chula Vista Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, October 3, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Class of 1952 Fiftieth Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood, Alumni Reunion Theological College, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Sunday, October 6, through Wednesday, October 9, 2002 Attend Presbyteral Assembly XXII, Chula Vista Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells

A joyful,
prayerful celebration

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

A million thanks to the many, many people who planned, prayed, and partied with me on Sunday, September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael as I observed my 50 years of priesthood, 22 as a bishop, and nine as Bishop of Madison.

I also wish to thank my family, fellow priests and visiting bishops, and friends from Des Moines and St. Paul-Minneapolis.

"As morning breaks, I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, Alleluia! As evening comes and the earthly shades of night descend, I gaze upon your mercy, Lord, and rest in your love. For my heart is restless until it rests in you, O God. Amen."

A generous thank you

Many sacrifices were made by many people to make the day move smoothly, efficiently, filling us with joy and happiness. I stand in your debt because things like this don't just happen; it takes work, work, and more work.

The Planning Committee was headed up by Monsignor Paul Swain, Monsignor Daniel Ganshert, Monsignor Michael Hippee, Father John Stillmank, Doctor Patrick Gorman, Denise Boychuk Gorman, Kate Wiskus, Bill Brophy, and Greg Keller.

They in turn were assisted by Pat Born, Trish Rentner, Pat Wenborne, and others at different stages of development. I know that no one expects recognition or accolade, but in my heart I want to express a very special thanks for the endless hours of work, attention to detail, and the committed way in which all good things were carried out.

The archbishops, bishops, other priests, visitors, friends, and a host of others spoke comments of commendation and compliment.

Monsignor Paul Swain preached a powerful, clear, and convincing homily on the joys of being a priest. It was superbly researched and preached, reflecting deep faith in the true meaning of priesthood.

As you know, I have two talks I use to express my gratitude - the first is a short one, the other a long one. The first is: "Thank You." The second is: "Thank you very much."

Father John Hedrick

I conclude this brief column thanking all who pray, affirm, and encourage me in my work as Bishop. I will, as Father John Hedrick, Chair of the Presbyteral Council, said, "continue, Bishop, to put out into the deep water, the calm sea, the troubled waters."

Here may I add a brief story from my U.S. Navy days on board our U.S.S. Yellowstone Destroyer Tender in battle. I was assigned the task of reading the "fathom meter" designed to measure the number of fathoms beneath the ship and signal the captain when we were getting into shallow water, lest we go aground.

Put out into the deep

I'm not very scientific, but I learned to read the radar machine. As Father John Hedrick was talking Sunday, I kept thinking, the ship of the Church needs a good fathom meter reader, lest we go aground. But more importantly, we must put out into the deep waters, lower the net for a catch.

Referring to the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Archbishop Timothy Dolan said the disciples said to Jesus, "Stay with us, it is evening now, and we need you." I will follow his advice.

With a deeply grateful heart, I happily close my column with my prayer: "As morning breaks, I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, Alleluia! As evening comes and the earthly shades of night descend, I gaze upon your mercy, Lord, and rest in your love. For my heart is restless until it rests in you, O God. Amen."