Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Most birthdays are celebrated without much fanfare. It is usually reserved for one’s family and friends to acknowledge the passing of the years. Most birthdays carry no particular significance with possibly the exception of your 21st birthday, when you have “come of age.” People want to buy you your first legal drink and you are proud to display your driver’s license to the bartender or waiter demanding verification. It seems at 21, you are assuming your rightful position in society.

Of course, there are those surprise parties painstakingly constructed by family or friends or working associates. Mine occurred on my 60th birthday when I was Bishop of La Crosse. My sister left home at 3 a.m. to be in La Crosse for the surprise.

Today, I celebrate another birthday of significance. March 12th is my 75th year of life, and being a responsible shepherd of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, I have submitted a letter of resignation to his Holiness Pope Francis. Canon 401.1 states: A diocesan bishop who has completed his seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff who will make provisions after he has examined all the circumstances.

So as the song goes: “I’m going to sit right down and write myself a letter…” Certainly what will be included will be my gratitude to God and His Holiness for the privilege of serving the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as archbishop for the past 14 years. I think we could name at least three accomplishments, any one of which would be the highlight of a 14-year term of office. They are the completion of the Bankruptcy, the Synod of 2014 and the Love One Another Capital Campaign. Each of these events helped to shape and form the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for the years ahead.

Although many credit me for the achievement of these major events, the success truly belongs to all of us. I have said this before and will say it again: The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is blessed to have a rich faith community. It is this experience of faith and the love of Christ and His Church that strengthened me and gave me the courage to do what was necessary for the good of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I knew that God would use us as an instrument for His presence and glory. Facing uncertainty, we would serve Him through our faithfulness.

Today our seminary is full, vocations are strong, the deaconate is expanding, our Catholic Charities is growing and respected, and our Catholic Schools creative and innovative – a model for the rest of the nation. If we could turn back the clock 14 years, I would love to come to Milwaukee with all the potential to grow the Church and strengthen Christ’s presence in the 10 counties of southeastern Wisconsin.

I have often said, “I love the Church.” It is the clergy, religious and faithful the past 14 years in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who have affirmed that love and enriched me with grateful memories of the people who have lived their faith and generously LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the March 12, 2024, "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.