Bishop Wester's farewell Mass a celebration of Archdiocesan gratitude for his dedication, service

Intermountain Catholic

Photo 1 of 2

Bishop Wester pauses with Archbishop Emeritus John R. Quinn and Archbishop George H. Niederauer.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. —When Bishop John Charles Wester was ordained a bishop in 1998 and named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, he was quoted as saying to the Catholic Community of San Francisco: "You will see yourselves reflected in my ministry to you."

At the farewell Mass for Bishop Wester celebrated Feb. 20 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, the people of San Francisco, Catholic and non-Catholic attendees, heard Bishop Wester thank them for helping form him in his episcopal ministry.

San Francisco, he said in his homily, has always made him feel at home, whether he’d been away studying in the seminary for a couple of years or had been traveling out of the country.

On March 14 Bishop Wester will be installed as the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s ninth bishop.

"I’ve had my hair cut in the Amazon Barber Shop since 1951," he said. "I feel as though I have always known Marty, and Marty has known me. In 1964, I went into the seminary, and for years I was away studying. When I returned to San Francisco, I went back to the Amazon Barber Shop. When I went in and took a seat, Marty looked up from the hair he was cutting and said, ‘Hello, John.’ I answered, ‘Hi, Marty.’ It was as if I’d never left. Marty’s simple greeting was like a quiet re-introduction to the city, and I felt very much at home."

At the beginning of the Mass, which had as its theme, "I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches," Archbishop George H. Niederauer looked out at the crowded pews and said of Bishop Wester: "When you have been a wonderful priest and bishop for 31 years, you, too can have all these friends.

Sitting in the front rows that evening were Bishop Wester’s mother, Helen (his father is deceased), his brother, Barry, his sisters, Kathy O’Sullivan and Nancy Barbi and her son Steve, Kathy’s husband Terry O’Sullivan, one of their sons, John Eric, and their daughter, Sarah. Pews on the periphery of the sanctuary will filled with Bishop Wester’s colleagues; priests, deacons and women religious with whom he has served. Civic leaders were there as well as representatives of other faiths. All had come to honor Bishop Wester as he moves on in service. The cathedral was filled with the people and the memories of Bishop Wester’s 31 years of ministry in San Francisco.

"The Bay area and this part of the city I know well will always be at home in me," Bishop Wester said. "In John’s Gospel tonight we heard the words, ‘Abide in me.’ We are called to remain in Jesus through our love of him and one another. By being at one with Christ we will experience the ebb and flow of Christ."

Serving as an acolyte for the farewell Mass was Diocese of Salt Lake City Seminarian Thomas Stinger, who is studying for the priesthood at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park.

Drawing from the first reading from Hosea, Bishop Wester reminded those present that nothing can get between the love God has for us unless we let it.

"I have lived for 56 years in this local church," he said. "I was baptized at St. Ann of the Sunset. I went to school in the archdiocesan system. I will take all that you have taught me as I move on to my new assignment in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. I am the bishop you have helped me become."

Bishop Wester recalled the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated in December, when people of all ethnic groups gathered around one table. He called it "an encounter of love and generosity."

"We are all co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord," he said. "I spent 12 years being formed in the seminary, and have learned much from each of the healing ministries, and I must say, this is not a farewell. This is a time to be cheered; a time for us to be brothers and sisters with each other. Yes, this is an emotional time. Let us greet it with joy."

Speaking from his own vocation experience, Bishop Wester said the home is the first seminary, and added, almost shyly, "I think Dad would be proud." The statement brought applause.

He also spoke of the daunting responsibility he will have filling the shoes of Archbishop Niederauer, who before he was named archbishop of San Francisco was the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s eighth bishop.

"It isn’t going to be easy to go to a place where he’s been."

Bishop Wester then thanked Archbishop John R. Quinn (retired), whom he called his "mentor," and San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang, both of whom concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Niederauer and Bishop Wester.

He introduced Father William Justice of Mission Dolores Basilica, who will be taking his place as vicar for clergy.

"All of you have formed me and made me who I am," he said.

Bishop Wester also thanked teachers and students of the schools he has attended – St. Raphael’s Elementary School - and taught - Marin Catholic High School. He said he was especially grateful to members of the Victim Survivor Group with whom he has worked throughout the clergy sex abuse crisis.

With his special gifts for outreach toward those of other faiths, Bishop Wester recognized members of the Buddhist Catholic Dialogue.

"I also want to thank especially Father David Pettingill and the other members of our support group."

"I will never forget you," Bishop Wester told the congregation. "We are one in Christ the Lord… the vine."

A touching message of farewell was read by Jesuit Father Stephen A. Barber of the University of San Francisco, chaplain at San Quentin Prison, where Bishop Wester has earned the name, "Big John."

The Catholic community at the prison has taken the name, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Community. There they have a Catholic institute of studies and interfaith studies, wrote inmate Leonard Rubio, who thanked Bishop Wester for the Easter vigils he has celebrated at San Quentin, baptizing inmates.

"Bishop Wester brought redemption and hope. He brought God to his brothers behind the walls, and that is no small miracle. He symbolizes for us joy and faith.