Deacon shares fond memories of 'accessible' bishop

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop Niederauer is surprised in Bethlehem by a ewe who was looking for something to eat. She poked her nose in his pocket, but in an exclusive interview with the Intermountain Catholic, the ewe said she was disappointed. There was no hay in the bishop's pocket; only a tube of ChapStick® and a rosary.  IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

by Deacon Mansueto Flaim

St. Ann Parish

SALT LAKE CITY — "Just like old times in the Holy Land, Max," the bishop greeted me as we vested for the noon-day Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Christmas Day. His exhausting schedule was not evident in his cheerful greeting. He was his usual warm and witty self. His remark, "Just like old times," was in reference to our pilgrimage in November to the Holy Land where I had the privilege of serving the bishop as deacon of the Mass at eight of the holy sites we visited in Israel and Palestine.

When asked, "How was your trip to Israel?" I make it a point to respond, "Our pilgrimage to the Holy Land was…" because, by his presence, Bishop Niederauer turned our trip into a pilgrimage to the "Land where Jesus was born and lived and died for us." Not one of the 45 pilgrims will ever forget Bishop Niederauer’s contribution as spiritual leader of our group to our visit in the land of Jesus and Mary and Joseph and the apostles.

The bishop set the theme of our pilgrimage in his homily for us during our All Saints Day Mass at the Notre Dame Center our first evening in Jerusalem. Each day thereafter in his homilies he brought to life the special message each holy site holds for Christians. He impressed upon us in his homilies and in his comments throughout the trip that we should make the most of the opportunity to "soak up" the spiritual nourishment our visit was making available to us.

And each day during Mass, whether at Gethsemane or Bethlehem, or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, or Bethany, or the other holy places, his message impressed upon us the reality that: "I’m really here where Jesus was born, where he suffered, where he died. I’m really here! This is where it all happened just like it says in the Bible! It’s true!"

Bishop Niederauer, in speech and presence, nourished us with the message that, yes, Jesus is Lord and Savior. Yes, Jesus is truly God and truly man. Yes, Jesus did suffer terribly and was crucified for us right here in Jerusalem, and no, we really don’t have a choice but to follow Jesus. To whom else can we turn?

Bishop Niederauer has the unique ability to be able to relate to whatever group he’s with; the committee he’s working with; the congregation he’s addressing. This unique quality is characteristic of a caring, understanding shepherd and was demonstrated so beautifully at Cana of Galilee where the married couples on pilgrimage renewed their marriage vows. Like the water turned into wine by Jesus, our bishop turned the ordinary renewal of marriage vows into a tearful, heart touching, spiritual experience we will forever tenderly remember.

Bishop Niederauer has been that kind of person, that kind of leader, since the day he arrived in our diocese. He has always been accessible and supportive and understanding, not only to the deacons of the diocese and their wives, but also to the members of the various diocesan committees and organization, as well as to the parishioners of our far-flung parishes and missions.

As shepherd of our diocese, he has always shown a special interest and compassion for the less fortunate; those in need. Bishop Niederauer has made real my image of what I think Jesus had in mind when he called Peter and the others to apostleship.

We wish our bishop all the best. We know you can and will do a job we will all be proud of. But, we will miss you dearly.