In many ways it seems like yesterday that I received a call from my friend Charlie in St. Paul, calling to congratulate me on our new co-adjutor bishop. He had worked with Bishop Carlson for a time and wanted to assure me that we were getting a good and holy man to lead us.
That phone call put my heart at rest. I was not overly concerned, but there was the natural trepidation that comes with any change; this is never more so than with the change in the office of shepherd. As the years progressed, I would reflect often on my friend’s words that day and I would thank God for the bishop he had sent to us.
However, God has his plans and thoughts and his will for the Church. So now we prepare ourselves to bid farewell to this man who has lead us with such love and zeal and faith for over a decade. It has been an amazing journey. When I think back over these last years, what touches me is the generous heart of this man who has had one of the most difficult jobs in South Dakota.
In his vision for the diocese, he has made real the prophetic words of Jeremiah, and has shown us a future full of hope. In his vocations work, he has helped all of us to listen more deeply to the voice of Christ. In his work with the religious of our diocese, both active and contemplative, he has shown us varied paths to the Kingdom.
In his work among the poor and the forgotten, the oppressed and, notably, the unborn, he has challenged us to a deeper love for the mystery of life. In his battle with cancer, he taught many of us the power of faith and the gift of vulnerability.
Lately I have been noticing a running theme. It would be presumptuous of me to contend that I can read the bishop’s mind, but in confirmation and ordination homilies, in addresses to laypeople and priests, something has been coming out.
Primarily, the centrality of prayer; there has been a clarion call to holiness given to the people of our diocese. In so many ways, Bishop Carlson has striven to renew for us the challenge of the Second Vatican Council, to remind the people of God of the universal call to holiness.
It is a call given by a man who is becoming increasingly convinced in his life that the answer to the great problems in the Church that can separate us, is the gift of prayer. Prayer, this deep and abiding union with Jesus Christ; prayer that is the fountain from which our loves flow; prayer that enlivens our sacraments renews the future of the Church.
It is his own connection to prayer, which he will freely admit, continues to grow and strengthen, that has been of such an enormous benefit to me. The support and the love that Bishop Carlson showed to me personally during some dark and disappointing days in my priesthood will never be forgotten. I will always cherish and treasure the time he took to simply remind me how deeply God loved me, and how important I was to him.
Several months ago, Msgr. Thomas Gullickson stood in the midst of family and friends and the people of God and was ordained a bishop in the Church. As part of that rite, as is traditional, he was led through the Cathedral by two bishops as he gave his first Episcopal blessing.
As Bishop Carlson and Bishop Paul Dudley led him up and down the aisle of our majestic Mother Church, a prayer rose from my heart.
I prayed that newly ordained Bishop Gullickson might always follow the lead and the example of these two holy men. These two men, so different in temperament and style, and yet both passionately in love with Jesus and wholeheartedly committed to the Gospel, have led us well. We are richer for their generosity, we are holier for their call, we are better because they have been at our service.
Could Bishop Gullickson have chosen better examples? Could we? Thanks be to God that he chooses for us and we have abiding examples that his promises to our diocese endure. He has blessed us and, I am sure, he will bless us again.
Personally, and for a thousand reasons, I will miss Bishop Carlson, but I will always proudly say this man was my father, my shepherd, my brother and my friend.
Godspeed Robert, by the grace of God and the favor of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Saginaw; you are a gift to us and you are a gift to them.
Do not be afraid, the diocese you love and leave will thrive, for you have planted and watered well.