Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

It’s hard to break into a group or a new community. For me, it was difficult trying to familiarize myself with the new parishes that I was called to serve as Archbishop of Milwaukee. Many staff members would take for granted that I would know landmarks or sites in the Archdiocese, familiar to everyone except me.

In the beginning, when I was scheduled to celebrate the anniversary of a parish, I would quickly pick the brain of Father James Lobacz, who would accompany me as my Master of Ceremonies. “Jim,” I would say, “tell me of the special events in the history of the parish or the personalities of the prior pastors who have served this community.” He would give me a living history of the parish and the “characters” (best sense of the word) that served as pastors. I never wanted to be unaware of the struggles, the challenges or the adversities that gave life to this community of faith.

When I celebrated the Mass, I wanted to feel that I had at least a little understanding of what made this community tick. I could never claim the level of experiential understanding that our priests and parishioners have, but I could at least understand a bit of their historical struggles.

Father Steve Avella’s book “In the Richness of the Earth” has been a very helpful history lesson, taking me from the very beginning of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, all the way to the year 1958. Father Steve, as an historian, has a style that blends the great Latin historians, Tacitus and Suetonius. Tacitus was a factual historian who laid out the chronological aspects of events. Suetonius was the historian that related an historical event but added the tidbits of historical gossip that made life interesting. Father Avella makes history interesting because of the presentation of facts woven within and through the personalities of history.

One colorful passage reads, “Schneider (seminary rector) tangled even more violently with Auxiliary Bishop Roman Atkielski. After he left the seminary in 1965, Schneider did get the consolation prize of a miter and ring and to have a coat of arms. He even erected a tiny baldacchino in the sanctuary of St. Robert Church in Shorewood where he became pastor. But as he lay dying in 1972 he accused Atkielski (who had died in 1969) of ‘blackballing’ him.” I know that Father Steve is working on a continuation of his historical presentation. It will be interesting to see what he says about my predecessors. Of course, I am interested.
   
Since coming here, I have grown to love Wisconsin. As a flatlander by birth (Illinois), the rolling hills, vibrant colors and richness of family life have seduced my senses and my heart. A new magazine produced by Roy Reiman called “Our Wisconsin” has allowed me to break into the state. It is a feel-good magazine filled with beautiful pictures, human-interest stories and even recipes, and should be owned by everyone who loves the state (www.OurWisconsinMag.com). My sister Penny especially loved the story in the August/September 2013 issue about Al Haber, the 95-year-old accordion player who has been making Wisconsin polka fans dance for 85 years. While the polka is the official dance of the state of Wisconsin, it has also been the official dance at Listecki family weddings and anniversaries my entire life.

Yes, it is hard to break in a new place, but there are a number of individuals willing to open the door to our understanding. Father Lobacz, Father Avella and Mr. Reiman have helped me claim the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as my home. Understanding our state, the Archdiocese and our neighbors make it easier to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the November 19, 2013 "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.