"I am the shepherd, and you are my flock"

[Padraig18]

I attended Mass this morning, and was greatly surprised to see that the celebrant was none other than H. E. Bishop George J. Lucas, Bishop of The Diocese of Springfield, IL. Bishop Lucas will also celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Niebrugge this Saturday morning at 10:00.

Bishop Lucas offered us both comfort and reassurance, something our parish is greatly in need of today:

"I stand with you today as one who also mourns, because your pastor was not simply your pastor and friend, but mine as well. He was not simply my brother in Christ, but was also my fishing buddy, and it was he who accompanied me to Rome to receive my mitre and staff. He was my confidant and my confessor, and a source of wisdom for one who often finds himself sorely in need of good advice and wise cousel. It was to him I looked when I sought out an example of what I considered a good priest, pastor and administrator. I feel keenly the loss of my old friend.

He loved you dearly, and I know this for a fact because rare was the time we spoke when he did not first mention you all, and he shared his concerns about this parish and its people with me freely and often. Your joys were his joys, your sorrows his sorrows, your concerns his concerns. As I have said, he loved you dearly, and it is abundantly clear to me why he did so. Please know that your love for him was returned ten-fold.

Our Lord said, "Fear not, for I am with you always, even unto the end of time... I am the good Shepherd, who cares for his flock." I am here today because I could not envision myself as being needed anywhere else as badly as I am needed here on this sad morning. For the first time in many of your lives, you are without a pastor, and I am first and foremost a priest, and it is my duty to be here with you. I remind you that I, too, am your shepherd, and you are now my flock, as you were once my friend's. I will protect and care for you now, as he always did, and I ask for your prayers to give me the strength and wisdom to do it half as well as he would have.

With your help, and God's, I cannot fail. Pray for me, as I shall pray for each and every one of you, and for the repose of Msgr. Niebrugge's soul. May he rest in peace."

It was very comforting to both see and hear the Bishop, and he did not rush off to Springfield as soon as the Mass was ended. He stayed and talked to us all as we left the church--- a brief word, or a hug, often both--- and he visited each class room at the parish school, spending time with the children, and comforting them, too. And then (I've just now been told), he did the one thing that impressed me more than anything: he set off for the county jail to make Msgr. Niebrugge's regular Wednesday visit there.

Though we mourn our loss, we do indeed still have a good shepherd. :)

[MuseRider]

1. I am glad

he helped you. I am not religious but spiritual since I left my church. He sounds like a good man who takes his job and your hearts seriously. I hope he gave you comfort.

[Padraig18]

2. He did.

Knowing that he cares, and that he shares our grief on a personal helps a lot. :)

[Cuban_Liberal]

3. Cool!

I'd have gone, if I hadn't had to work. The bishop is a GREAT guy. :)