Archbishops Don't Take Sick Days
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Archbishops Don't Take Sick Days

Although sick, Archbishop Listecki still keeps on.

Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

I enjoy the DayQuil and NyQuil commercials that picture a woman or a man popping their heads into a room and stating, “I don’t feel well today. I think that I’m going to take a sick day.” The camera then pans into a room where a little baby is standing in his crib, or a family is getting ready for their vacation. The voice-over announcer declares, “Moms and Dads don’t take sick days!” Well, you can add the archbishop to that list as well. 

Returning from the Dominican Republic at midnight last Tuesday, it was obvious to me that I had picked something up from the recirculated air on the flight back to Milwaukee. It would have been smart for me to have taken a few days off to “knock-out the bug.”  However, there was no break from the schedule, which had now included the introduction of the new Auxiliary Bishops-elect, Jeff Haines and Jim Schuerman. 

There is little doubt in my mind that retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba could have come to the rescue. He has done so admirably in the past. But, this was definitely something I, as archbishop, had to do. We have waited so long for auxiliary bishops that no excuse could have been sufficient not to publicly receive, with thanksgiving, the two gifts given to us so generously by Pope Francis. On the day of the announcement, we traveled locally, visiting some of the religious houses and making contact with the leadership and the new bishops. 

The next day, I needed to attend a wake in Chicago for a woman, Mary (Mahoney) Hurley, who I married to Brian, and later baptized and confirmed her son, Michael, who took “Jerome” as his confirmation name. I have known her family for over 41 years. I first encountered them when I was the new priest assigned to their parish. I have a vivid memory of her father and the children attending my dad’s funeral. I guess it’s true what they say: you never forget those who attend family funerals.

The next day was the patronal feast of the Seminary, which was an especially wonderful celebration given the fact that two alumni had recently been chosen as auxiliary bishops. I emphasized to the priests that this was a tribute to the presbyterate of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The pope could chose whomever he would like from religious orders, other dioceses in the state or the nation, but he selected two of our own. 

By the time I finished Mass, my sister, Penny, had arrived to my residence to nurse me back to health. Having taken care of our mother and father, Penny developed some very practical nursing skills, and I couldn’t have been in better hands. However, being a junior high school teacher for over 35 years, her nursing persona is a cross between Florence Nightingale and Nurse Ratched from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” My voice was going, and I needed to celebrate the Campanile Mass at the Cathedral. My sister prepared hot boiling water, and I breathed in the steam to open my sinuses. 

The steam worked, and I was able to get through the Mass, but the dinner was still ahead. This is what I would refer to as the presentation to the Board of Directors. There was great news this year. We surpassed, for the first time in the history of the Catholic Stewardship Appeal, the $8 million dollar mark, and the Campanile Society was responsible for 55 percent of that total. I had to be there to thank them, and Jim and Maureen Stern, for all of their dedicated work. 

I can imagine that someone might say, “I went to the Campanile Society Dinner, kissed the archbishop and got sick!” So much for my lead in any romantic productions. The dinner was a great success, despite my infirmity. 

The next morning, I was scheduled to celebrate Mass at St. Vincent Pallotti. It was a celebration of their patronal feast, but also the celebration of the beatification  – one of their very own, Blessed Elisabetta Sanna – one miracle away from canonization. I thought she might cure me for a second, but I think she has more important considerations. The Pallottine fathers and brothers have been so helpful to us throughout the years in their apostolic service and spiritual influence.

Sunday was the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. I began at Catholic Memorial High School with Mass afterwards. I fist-bumped my way through personal greetings to all of the grammar and high school students. I explained to them how important their Catholic Identity is to their community, family and to themselves.

I returned to my residence, and continued my house arrest under the watchful eye of my sister, Penny. Remember, we can never take a sick day from declaring that we LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the January 31, 2017 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.

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