Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There are times in our lives that a song, a saying, or a picture will recover a memory and usher us back to a special experience in our lives. Couples may hear a song and remember the moment they shared it with each other. A picture will take many of us back to a time when friends or family members had moments of fun or a celebration. Sometimes we will hear a saying which brings a smile to our faces and remember that mother or father, aunt or uncle always said that phrase.
 
This last week, I was at St. Sebastian Parish in Sturtevant celebrating Sunday Mass and dedicating their new STEM Academy. I shared with the congregation that the second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians was a moment of memory for me. Despite what many may think, an appointment of bishop comes as a shock. Bishop after bishop will tell their story that they had no idea of their selection. This was true also in my case.
 
Once you are named a bishop, you are then required to establish certain identifying criteria, one task of which is to create a coat of arms. My family did not have a coat of arms. They were all very good and loving individuals, but as a family, we were not a part of the ruling class. I was a part of the working class. Coat of arms belonged to the nobility and although my family was indeed noble in many aspects, we were not a part of the landed gentry.
 
Thankfully, there are individuals who offer their services to perform the task. They read your biography as a newly named bishop and offer suggestions. I was given several examples by various creators of heraldry and my staff, but I really did not like any of them. Remembering that my classmate is a gifted artist, I called Fr. Anthony Brankin and asked for his assistance. A close friend for 36 years who knew me as well as I knew myself, in a matter of minutes (and this is not an exaggeration, it was minutes) Fr. Brankin created a coat of arms that embodied aspects of my life and was readily embraced and appreciated by my staff and myself. My personal coat of arms represents half of the shield of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and the coat of arms for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee represents the other half.
        
The other task for a newly named bishop is to choose a motto. After jokingly rejecting “Don’t mess up,” and “Don’t blame me,” I went to St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. I wanted something that would remind me of my obligation for the rest of my life. When he writes his letter, St. Paul is in prison in Rome and contemplating his possible death. He writes to the Philippian community, a community that he loved dearly.
 
Many priests love and appreciate the various communities they serve but there seems to be that one that connects and stays close with them throughout their years of service. For St. Paul, this was the Philippians. They supported his missionary endeavors, and it is obvious they were special and remained dear to him. When he is contemplating the possibility of his death, he thinks to himself, if I die, I go to Christ, which is gain in itself. If I am allowed to live, I can continue to preach the Lord Jesus Christ. In the end, it does not matter whether we live or die – LIFE IS CHRIST. When we have Christ, we have it all, life everlasting.
 
Years ago, I felt that with all the attacks on life today, we need to be reminded of life’s dignity, which is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. The attacks on life have not diminished and now more than ever we need to commit ourselves to Christ as our priority. His life is our life, and His life is everlasting.
 
The congregation of St. Sabastian was kind in permitting me the luxury of remembering the establishment of my motto which was triggered by St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. St. Paul knew that Life is Christ and that we celebrate His life when we LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Note: This blog originally appeared as the Sept. 26, 2023, "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.