Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Saturday, June 14, 2003 4:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Groundbreaking Ceremony, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo Sunday, June 15, 2003 3:30 p.m. -- Concelebrate and Preach at 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Reverend O. Charles Schluter, St. Mary Parish, Platteville Tuesday, June 17, 2003 5:30 p.m. -- Attend Apostolate to the Handicapped Board Meeting, New Glarus Hotel, New Glarus Wednesday, June 18-Saturday, June 21, 2003 Attend United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Sunday, June 15, 2003 3:30 p.m. -- Concelebrate at 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Reverend O. Charles Schluter, St. Mary Parish, Platteville Tuesday, June 17, 2003 5:30 p.m. -- Attend Apostolate to the Handicapped Board Meeting, New Glarus Hotel, New Glarus Wednesday, June 18-Sunday, June 21, 2003 Attend United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri

Preparing for the new bishop

		Comments from the Administrator and Bishop Emeritus + William H. Bullock Bishop Emeritus

Since May 23rd, the day Pope John Paul II accepted my resignation as Bishop of Madison, having completed my 76th year of life, and the day Bishop Robert C. Morlino was announced as the Fourth Bishop of Madison, we have been very busy preparing for the arrival, welcome, and installation of Bishop Morlino.

When I became Administrator of the Diocese of Madison on May 23rd by election of the College of Consultors, we began gathering in committee, reserving space, and checking our lists twice in order to ready ourselves for the installation of our new Bishop.

We want it to be a memorable moment in his life and a suitable historic moment in our diocesan history. I have asked Monsignor Paul Swain to head up the planning committee along with Monsignor Michael Hippe, Father John Stillmank, Dr. Patrick Gorman, Bill Brophy, Kate Wiskus, and Greg Keller. This blue ribbon committee has experience, expertise, and high energy. I thank them sincerely.

The Vesper Prayer on July 31st at 6:00 p.m. at St. Raphael Cathedral is a significant moment for our Diocese of Madison.

At this prayer service, Bishop Robert Morlino takes canonical possession of the Diocese and speaks to the priests and people of the Diocese as well as ecumenical judicatories, presidents and bishops of other Christian communities, and rabbis of the Jewish faith.

On Friday, August 1st at St. Raphael Cathedral we shall have the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist and Installation of Bishop Robert Morlino, followed by a formal reception.

Present in a special way will be the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo, personal representative of Pope John Paul II, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Milwaukee and Provincial of Wisconsin. Many cardinals, archbishops, bishops, abbots, priests, religious, and laity will also join in the celebration.

The event will be well covered by radio, T.V., and newspapers. It is a great day for our Diocese, for all of us who love our Diocese and wish to see it flourish in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I now turn from the practical to prayer. What we are about is names, places, events, dates, and memories, but what we celebrate on Thursday, July 31st, and on Friday, August 1st, has far reaching significance for the Kingdom of God, the local Diocese, and universal Church.

Questions like: What will God do through Bishop Morlino in the years ahead? How will God use his words, his decisions, his presence? What will the Church of Madison face in the coming years? What future in Christ shines brightly before us? What and how will world events shape our future? What is it that God wishes for the Diocese? Are we listening and supporting the Bishop? Are we honestly seeking God's will for our future?

If we combine prayer in our hearts with clear, competent thinking in our heads, we shall advance the Kingdom. We need a plan in our head, a prayer in our heart, and zeal for the Kingdom of God and the Church.

Bishop Morlino is a scholar, articulate, and loves to share with others. He will bring much to build the vision as his motto reflects: visus non mentietur, "the vision will not disappoint."

We want a prayerful, well-planned welcome for Bishop Robert Morlino and the solid plans on which to make that happen are falling into place.

I do ask the prayers of all our priests, religious, and faithful laity in the weeks ahead that all of us may be open to what the Holy Spirit has in mind for us.

Prayer and gratitude rest at the heart of our journey. In prayer we always remain focused with our eyes fixed on Christ. In gratitude we never clutch or try to possess our life as personal entitlement, but realize that all we have is not earned but, like life, is a gift from God.

A note or two on retired bishops
and retired priests

By Bishop William H. Bullock
BISHOP EMERITUS

	en Español

Several questions surface when speaking of priests and bishops in retirement.

I refer to their state of life and entitlements within the presbyterate and episcopal conference.

The first is what do we call them? Quite often they are called "Retired Priests" or "Retired Bishops" but the reality is in moving from active ministry into retirement you are not a "retired" priest, you are a retired "pastor"; nor are you a "retired" Bishop but retired "Ordinary" or "Auxiliary" of a Diocese.

Bishops who are no longer in active ministry retain their membership in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, are entitled to participate in both Fall and Spring meetings as well as participate with the Ordinary of the Diocese in the Ad Limina visit to the Holy See every five years. Ours for Madison is scheduled for May of 2004.

Our priests likewise are entitled to participate in all retreats, priests' assemblies, In-Service Days, and Days of Sanctification.

Many priests, like Bishops, carry the title "emeritus." The conclusion is simple; we never retire from priesthood or the order of Bishop. What we retire from is the pastoral role of priest (to be the pastor of a parish) or bishop (to be the ordinary of a diocese).

One bit of humor as I conclude. The continuing presence of a Bishop Emeritus on the U.S. Conference of Bishops level means basically that he has a voice (he may speak to issues under discussion at all meetings) but has no vote when decisions are made.

We had one Bishop who spoke so often at the meetings that we almost passed a motion that he could vote but have no voice. At any rate in the annals of the lives of bishops and priests we are not suffering any neglect of tribute nor are we hurting for things to do. But we are not put on a shelf either; we pray and participate in all the good and wonderful programs and projects of the Diocese.

"Tu es sacerdos in aeternum," you are a priest forever. While we have no specific assignment, we have a life that is totally integrated in the life and mission of the Diocese where we served.

In my case, I become now the Third Bishop of Madison to retire. Bishop William O'Connor retired and lived on Lake Mendota, came to the office each day, opened the mail, ate lunch, and went home. Sounds like an attractive routine!

Bishop Cletus O'Donnell retired in April of 1992. Bishop George Wirz became the Administrator. Bishop O'Donnell died on August 31, 1992.

I retire officially on August 1, 2003, from Administrator of the Diocese of Madison, will live here at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center with several other retired pastors, live out my days in prayer and study, assisting where and when I can and am invited.

These years following my decade of episcopal service to Madison are filled with great memories. It is my intention to grow older gratefully and graciously, preparing as I do for the next big thing I do, that is die. I want to do that well, for eternity is too long and life is too short.

Official Appointments:

Most Reverend William H. Bullock, Diocesan Administrator, wishes to announce the following appointments made on May 21, 2003 while Bishop of Madison:

Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Swain, from Pastor, St. Bernard Parish, Middleton, to Rector/Pastor, St. Raphael Cathedral, linked with Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison, effective noon, June 25, 2003.

Rev. Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, from Rector/Pastor, St. Raphael Cathedral, linked with Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison, to Pastor, St. Clement Parish, Lancaster, effective noon, June 25, 2003.

Rev. Msgr. Douglas L. Dushack, from Pastor, St. James Parish, Madison, to Pastor, St. Bernard Parish, Middleton, effective noon, June 25, 2003.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Baxter, from Pastor, St. Clement Parish, Lancaster, to Pastor, St. James Parish, Madison, effective noon, June 25, 2003.

Most Reverend William H. Bullock, Diocesan Administrator, wishes to announce the following:

Rev. David J. Flanagan, in addition to Pastor, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Cuba City, to continue as Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, Gratiot, linked with St. John Parish, South Wayne, effective June 5, 2003.

Upon acceptance of the resignation of Rev. Bruce M. Hennington as Executive Director, Madison Boy Scouts of America, Mr. Thomas Leonard, Milton, as Chairperson, Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Madison, effective July 1, 2003.