A Day Filled With Introductions

Green Bay Bishop-Designate David Ricken has requested that area pastors meet at the diocesan offices this afternoon for an opportunity to meet the Green Bay clergy as quickly as possible. This is also our opportunity to meet the new bishop before he heads back to Wyoming to wrap things up in Cheyenne before his installation back here in Green Bay on the Feast of Our Holy Father, Saint Augustine. Obviously, this afternoon will require me to shift gears just a bit, but after that meeting and then pastoral rounds at St. Vincent Hospital, I'll be sure to offer you my thoughts about the day.

Until then, as a welcome to the Bishop, perhaps it would be appropriate to repeat the sacred words Pope John Paul II offered prayerfully upon the Bishop on the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, 2000, as the picture below captured that sacred moment:


God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Father of mercies and God of all consolation,

you dwell in heaven,

yet look with compassion on all that is humble.

You know things before they come to be;

by your gracious word

you have established the plan of your Church.

From the beginning

you chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation.

You established rulers and priests,

and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you.

From the creation of the world

you have been pleased to be glorified

by those whom you have chosen.

So now pour out upon this chosen one

that power which is from you,

the governing Spirit

whom you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,

the Spirit given by him to the holy apostles,

who founded the Church in every place to be your temple

for the unceasing glory and praise of your name.

Father, you know all hearts.

You have chosen your servant David for the office of bishop.

May he be a shepherd to your holy flock,

and a high priest blameless in your sight,

ministering to you night and day;

may he always gain the blessing of your favor

and offer the gifts of your holy Church.

Through the Spirit who gives the grace of high priesthood

grant him the power

to forgive sins as you have commanded,

to assign ministries as you have decreed,

and to loose every bond by the authority which you gave to your apostles.

May he be pleasing to you by his gentleness and purity of heart,

presenting a fragrant offering to you,

through Jesus Christ, your Son,

through whom glory and power and honor are yours

with the Holy Spirit

in your holy Church,

now and forever.

Amen.

ITALICS: Prayer of Consecration; Ordination of a Bishop

+ Roman Catholic Church