Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Saturday, July 26, 2003 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Re-Dedication of Parish Center, St. Olaf Parish, De Forest Thursday, July 31, 2003 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Solemn Vespers Service, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Monday, July 28, 2003 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Summer Gathering, Serra Club of Janesville, Janesville Thursday, July 31, 2003 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Solemn Vespers Service, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison

If anything good happens, God has done it

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

The origin of the words in the headline above speaks to our God who in our ultimate embrace of him in the Beatific Vision will lead us to see clearly that we do indeed understand that in heaven God is all in all.

Here on earth through faith we believe that God is the primary mover in the accomplishment of all the good things we do. God both motivates and inspires all the good we do. He needs, of course, our cooperation but without his creative power by nature and by grace good things would never happen.

"The special day is coming for the Diocese of Madison -- August 1st his installation day as the Fourth Bishop of Madison. We rejoice in the ways of Providence and thank God for sending him to us, remembering as we do that, 'If anything good happens, God has done it.'"

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa's constant prayer to the Father in Christ was, "Keep me out of the way so that Christ can do what he wishes." It was an honest prayer of a saintly woman. In some ways Mother Teresa is saying the above, "If anything good happens, God has done it."

Our lives in Christ began by our baptism, our entry into his Mystical Body, the Church. Our baptism centered us to acknowledge that it is only in God that good things happen.

All too often by our self-will, not waiting on God's will, we interrupt or short circuit his will and plan for us.

God knows what is best for us, for it is not given to us to know our need; only God knows that and he graciously reveals his plan to us gradually and regularly.

Thus, I would like to direct your attention to what I call an "everlasting bottom line" in our relationship with God namely, that God is the alpha and omega of our existence; he is the beginning and the end.

Life is not about us

Father Robert Barron puts it well when he says, "Life is not about you, it's not about me, it is about God." Thus, life unfolds before us in events in our lives showing us that it is indeed God who guides all good things that happen.

It is easier for me today to see his Providence and how he fashions his people, forming them in his ways, than it was 10 years ago when I was asked to become Bishop of Madison at age 66. Ten years later, as I look back at all God has done, I am humbled and overwhelmed at his providential care and goodness.

Bishop Morlino

This is the past. You and I embrace, accept, and place ourselves as God's holy people for the years ahead in God's hands, under the leadership of our new bishop, Bishop Robert Morlino.

What marvels will God do through him? What are the ways of Providence that lead us deeper into this new millennium? They are all in the mind of God and will unfold before us in the years ahead.

God is acting. God will act and you, his people, must seek his will in all things, be open to the ways of his Providence, accepting of his way and timetable. God's love for us is unconditional for he always wishes and wills our salvation.

I am in deep prayer these days for Bishop Robert Morlino, our newly appointed bishop. God, in asking him to leave the Diocese of Helena after only three plus years, is tough on him and on the people of Helena -- but it is God's will and way. Please support Bishop Morlino and thank him for saying "yes," accompany him with your prayer.

The special day is coming for the Diocese of Madison -- August 1st his installation day as the Fourth Bishop of Madison. We rejoice in the ways of Providence and thank God for sending him to us, remembering as we do that, "If anything good happens, God has done it."

Official Announcement:

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

At his own request, Rev. John G. Stillmank, from Pastor, St. Andrew Parish, Verona, linked with St. William Parish, Paoli, to leave of absence, effective noon, July 23, 2003.