Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, May 16, 2002 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Serra Club of Madison, Spring Dinner, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, May 18, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with Birthday Celebration of Prayer for Pope John Paul II, St. Joseph Parish, Madison Sunday, May 19, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Pentecost Sunday and Mass of Thanksgiving with New Catholics, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Tuesday, May 21, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Attend St. Raphael Board Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, May 16, 2002 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Serra Club of Madison, Spring Dinner, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, May 18, 2002 5:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson, with St. Lawrence Parish, Jefferson, at St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson Sunday, May 19, 2002 10:30 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Henry Parish, Watertown 3:30 p.m. -- Participate in Mass of Thanksgiving, 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, Reverend Gordon A. Weber, St. Mary Parish, Waukesha Tuesday, May 21, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Attend St. Raphael Board Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Wednesday, May 22, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Mary Parish, Platteville

The Fire of God's creation, Word and Church

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

God has revealed himself in three successive and progressive ways.

Creation

The first revelation came to us in our created universe and continues today as we explore the universe from outer space, to ocean depths, and all that is in between.

Our created world is a marvel to behold in its majesty and mystery - from planets in orbit to the order of oceanic life. The created universe continues to unfold its new possibilities and the endless secrets of its power.

"'Through the gospel proclaimed by your Son you have brought together in a single Church people of every nation, culture, and tongue. Into it you breathe the power of your Spirit, that in every age your children may be gathered as one.' (Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for Various Needs and Occasions I)"

Scripture

The second revelation of God to us is through his Word. From the beginning in the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, God speaks to us through his Word.

The first words in Genesis 1:1 are, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The last words in Revelation are, "Amen, come Lord Jesus." What is contained in all the books of Scripture in between forms the base on which we believe.

In the created universe God reveals how the heavens go; in the Bible he teaches us how to go to heaven, to the Kingdom he has prepared for those who love him. God expects us to care for the environment and to care for his Word. They go hand in hand. "God, who in different ways and in times past spoke through the prophets of old, now speaks to us in the name of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Church

The third level of God's revelation to us is the Church founded by Jesus Christ. The Church is the community of believers, beginning with the apostles, who went forth to preach the good news to all the world, baptizing all in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That Church was founded by Christ on Pentecost.

From that modest beginning of a few hundred members, we have grown to a one billion membership, 70 percent of whom live in the Third World countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Catholic Church is an institution, a recognizable body of believers with a structure and order, but it is also a mystery, a living organism, the Mystical Body of Christ.

The Church, Christ's Body

The Church receives her members through Baptism, incorporates them into the living Body of Christ on earth, invisible in its unity and yet visible in its order.

What is this Church for the world? As God's people we believe, we celebrate, we live by the Gospel, and we pray. These are the four essentials of our life in Christ in the Church he founded. At Baptism the question is, "What do you ask of the Church?" The answer is: "Faith." "What does faith give you?" It gives, "Everlasting Life."

Environmentally we should be good stewards of all of God's creation. In receiving God's Word in both Old and New Testaments we should take good care of God's name and accept his Word, carry it in our heart, and speak it from our lips. We should therefore also love the Church, be willing as martyrs to the faith to lay down our lives for the Church.

Bishop thanks people for expressions of sympathy Editor's note: Bishop William H. Bullock's brother Len died on May 1. Following are some of his reflections on his brother and thanks for expressions of sympathy. My brother Len was a kind fellow who as a farmer taught us stillness, limitations, regeneration and resignation. 1. Stillness - Our technological age responds instantly. The soil with its new seed responds only in time. Len learned stillness from the earth and taught us that in his life. 2. Limitations - As you watch the ants on the farm, the little creatures moving about, so small yet so many, Len learned the limitations of what small creatures cannot do. Len taught us to accept our limitations. 3. Regeneration and resignation - Len watched nature take its course. Len learned to plant winter wheat in the fall, see it covered with its blankets of snow but working all winter long underneath its cover. It emerged in the spring, not dead, but green, alive, to grow with warmth and rain. Len taught us regeneration, resurrection, from death and seeming disappearance to life. I wish to thank the literally hundreds of people who have written to express their sympathy at the death of my brother Len. It was truly a beautiful expression of concern for me, my family, and his own immediate family. For your kindness, your prayers, and the lovely flowers, please accept my gracious thanks. Bishop William H. Bullock

Love creation! Love his Word! Love his Church! How much should we love God? With our whole heart, mind, body, soul and spirit, and our neighbor as we love ourselves - nothing less will do.

All ties together

The great beauty of our faith is that all three levels of God's revelation to us are integrated into one whole in unparalleled ways. How blessed we are to have all three. Our love of the Church impels us to accept it wholly and in its completeness.

I was pondering in prayer just recently how as Church in following the command of Christ, we take simple ground wheat, make it into flour for our altar bread at celebrations of the Eucharist, and crush grapes to produce a new wine for the altar of sacrifice.

Bread and wine - Body and Blood

From all the gifts of God's creation Jesus picked these two simple staples of bread and wine, and commissioned his priests to repeat his words of the Last Supper until he comes again.

The simple elements of bread and wine spoken in loving memory and in the context of a Eucharistic meal changes them into the very Body and Blood of Christ, thus offering us nourishment and strength for our journey.

Creation, the Word of God, and the Church all come together, directing us all toward life in the Kingdom. That Kingdom is a Kingdom of justice, peace, joy, love, and equality, of fullness and forever. What a glorious God who gave us so great and glorious a Church! That Church we love through thick and thin.

Church bears steadfast witness

We pray at Mass: "Through the gospel proclaimed by your Son you have brought together in a single Church people of every nation, culture, and tongue. Into it you breathe the power of your Spirit, that in every age your children may be gathered as one.

"Your Church bears steadfast witness to your love. It nourishes our hope for the coming of your kingdom and is a sure sign of the lasting covenant which you promised us in Jesus Christ our Lord . . .

"When our pilgrimage on earth is complete, welcome us into your heavenly home, where we shall dwell with you for ever." (Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for Various Needs and Occasions I)

Happy Pentecost, the birthday of the Church!

Official Appointments:

The Most Reverend William H. Bullock, Bishop of Madison, wishes to announce the following appointments, effective noon, Wednesday, June 12:

Rev. Randy Budnar, from Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Hollandale, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Blanchardville, to Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington.

Rev. Thomas L. Kelley, from Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington, to Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains.

Rev. Nicholas S. Okere, in addition to Administrator, Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison, as Master of Ceremonies for the Bishop.

Rev. James R. Bartylla, from Assistant Priest Secretary and Parochial Vicar, St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli, to Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler, and St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa.

Rev. Peter Claver U. Anorue, to Administrator, St. Patrick Parish, Hollandale, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Blanchardville.

Rev. Francis Xavier Ekwaugha, to Assistant Master of Ceremonies for the Bishop and Parochial Vicar, St. Raphael Cathedral.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General

Confirmation schedule: Fall 2002

Bishop William H. Bullock

Bishop George O. Wirz