Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

As we approach the end of the year, various sports, news and entertainment commentators select their top 10 events or moments from the last 12 months. It’s an interesting task and reminds us all just how quickly significant moments pass into history.

I decided to select the top 10 events in the last 12 months in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This is purely my opinion and certainly subject to additions and corrections by many. But what it does accomplish is to demonstrate just how active and significant our Catholic community has been. Well, here’s my top 10:

1. The Archdiocesan Synod, Declaration and commissioning of the Archdiocesan Synod Implementation Commission (ASIC)
2. Bishop Hying’s appointment as the fourth Bishop of Gary, Indiana
3. The 2nd Annual “Soles for Catholic Education” Walk at Mount Mary University, approximately 9,500 participants
4. The ordination of six candidates to the priesthood
5. The ordination of seven candidates to the order of permanent deacon
6. The Catholic Stewardship Appeal Dinner at the Pfister Hotel, jam-packed with diocesan supporters
7. The annual St. Francis de Sales Seminary Dinner at the Hyatt Hotel, displaying the new logo for the seminary
8. The bike collection to assist St. Vincent De Paul, where  over 175 bikes and donations were collected to aid the poor
9. The Roman pilgrimage for the canonization of Saints John Paul II and John XXIII, with more than 60 attendees
10. The Hispanic Youth Convocation, more than 500 participants considering religious vocations and commitment to the Catholic faith.

I could also add any number of parish anniversaries, visitations to Catholic hospitals and health care facilities, visits to Catholic schools, the Catholic Schools Dinner, Holy Week celebrations and Christmas (TV) Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, the annual Pallium Lecture, visits to the House of Peace for Thanksgiving, St. Ben’s Community Meal program and more.

We really are blessed to have an archdiocese with so many men and women of faith. It is inspiring to witness the good that is generated for the entire community. It makes me excited to envision the coming year as we all try our best to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the December 30, 2014 "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.