Thoughts on Archbishop Dolan's Installation
Bulletin: September 1, 2002

Today I offer some random, simple reflections on the installation of Archbishop Timothy Dolan as our leader in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Vespers was a tremendous treat. The music was classical, with a mixture of choral presentations and rousing congregational singing.

The welcoming homily by Bishop Sklba was outstanding. How privileged we have been to have had him as auxiliary bishop these years!

The standing ovation given the new Archbishop as he came to the pulpit to address us was heartfelt. We had waited with deep anticipation for the first sound of his knocking on the door. When it was opened, there he stood smiling and greeting everyone in sight!

Seeing old friends was a treat for me. Near the top of the list was greeting Bishop James Harvey. Bishop Jim was a great help when I worked in Rome. At that time he worked the English Desk at the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Now he is the head of the Papal Household. He is known as the doorkeeper of the Pope. A good man!

I also exchanged greetings with Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz from Lincoln. Nebraska. After I was ordained I followed him as associate in Cedarburg. We tell stories about that experience, like “can you top this?”

I looked deeply into Archbishop Weakland’s eyes as I greeted him and thanked him for all he had done for us, especially the remodeling of the now magnificent Cathedral. How blessed we were to have had him as our Archbishop these past 25 years.

At the reception I met someone whose wedding I celebrated years ago. I was told that her oldest was now 24 years of age. It was great to see someone whose life I was part of so long ago and whom I find is deeply committed to the life of the Church and care for its people today.

It was also great to see so many priests from Milwaukee and elsewhere. The number of priests was impressive.
Also it was wonderful to see again so many deacons from years ago when I taught them counseling techniques in their preparation program. Some told some real humdingers of stories! I wondered why so many looked so much older.

The installation Mass and the other events on Wednesday were enjoyable. Again, the crowded Cathedral brimmed with excitement. I felt a little like a caboose as Father Javier led the procession of priests into the Cathedral and I followed near the end of the priests’ segment walking with my fellow Deans. We were assigned to minister the Eucharist to the priests.

Among the persons presented to the Archbishop representing parishes was the daughter of an old friend. She looked like she was going to die of happiness—her smile was so big as she shook the Archbishop’s hand.
Among the Bishops present was Archbishop Al Hughes from New Orleans. We taught together at Creighton University in the late seventies. During one of those summers he was called away suddenly to Boston where he was rector of their seminary. When he returned for class he had been named auxiliary bishop of Boston. Years later he was moved to New Orleans.

The Archbishop’s homily was outstanding. He challenged us to never lose hope. After all, this Church belongs to the Lord. We were asked, like Peter, to get out of the boat and walk on the water. Certainly, the winds and waves will buffet us, but we will not sink because we are holding the hand of the Lord. Archbishop Timothy also challenged us to be holy. Quoting Augustine, he showed how God is always pursuing us and that we need to open our eyes and see Him and then respond to the invitation. I wish some of the fundamentalist protestors outside the Cathedral had heard his words.

At the reception following the Mass I spoke with many people, including some priests from St. Louis. I asked them what I should expect from the Archbishop. I was told in no uncertain terms that we will love him. His energy was incredible—something I attest to as I watched him go from person to person both at the reception and at the dinner afterwards. I am sure that he will share his devotional life more freely than we have seen here in many years. Later during the reception I had a few minutes speaking with some members of the Archbishop’s family. They said they felt our Archdiocese was getting one of the best. They said we will laugh a lot at his Irish wit. It was very obvious that they loved him. The stories they told were great.

At the dinner, one of his cousins was seated at table with a few of us Kenoshans—Father Don Thimm, Father Joe Hornacek, and Mrs. Peggy Gregorski. We all learned a lot. Bishop Sklba again acquitted himself as emcee of the dinner. The Archbishop told us how all day long he felt like a kid on Christmas morning. The people around him, he said, were gifts. He then looked at the 300 diners and told how his family enabled him “to be raised in a cocoon of love.” They were a gift to him. He then looked at the priests from St. Louis and told them that they were also a cocoon of love during his years there. Next he spoke of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as the latest gift. Archbishop Weakland ended the festivities by blessing us along with the new Archbishop..

As I drove back to Kenosha, I was filled with high hopes and expectations. Now—how to be holy....

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