Longtime friend cites bishop's compassion, sense of Justice

Intermountain Catholic

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Laura Bertone, who has known Bishop Wester since he was a young priest, is one of the few people who has been able to surprise the bishop. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

SAN FRANCISCO – Laura Bertone, 39, is a remarkable woman. A successful banker and businesswoman in both San Francisco and London, she recognized that something within her was unfulfilled. After returning from a stint in London, Bertone sought spiritual counseling from those who knew her well in her hometown of San Francisco – Father John J. Talesfore, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral and Auxiliary Bishop John Wester, whom she has known since his deaconate days at St. Raphael’s Parish.

Bertone eventually turned away from her career, entered the University of Notre Dame to study liturgy, and now works at St. Mary Cathedral, serving as master of ceremony for both Bishop Wester and Archbishop George Niederauer. To make her life even more unique, she purchased and renovated an old mine sweeper and now lives on the ship, which is anchored off Treasure Island.

Bertone has fond memories of Bishop Wester, including attending the first Mass he celebrated after his ordination to the priesthood.

"It was a beautiful Mass, and of course, full of family," she told the Intermountain Catholic. "Even though I was only 10, I still knew that Mass was something special. At the homily, Fr. Wester stood up and said, ‘Hi, my name is John,’ then told us all about his family and his call to the priesthood."

Bertone then had Bishop Wester as a teacher. When she entered Marin Catholic High School, Father Wester was her first year theology teacher.

"There was a lot of talk about how good looking he was," Bertone said. "And there were a lot of high school girls with crushes that year. But Marin Catholic was a very traditional Catholic school, and we were innocent back then.

"Whenever we talked in class about sex, Fr. Wester would blush. We found our how color blind he is, and we really took advantage of that. When he read from the teacher’s guide, which had the answers in red ink, he’d just read the answers out, and we’d let him. He saw the red type as black."

Bertone said she and other students appreciated dealing with a young priest; someone who talked their language and who made going to class fun.

"In our senior year, I got involved in liturgy planning and retreats," she said. "I ended up serving as Fr. Wester’s student assistant in charge of Christian service."

When Bertone graduated and went away to Santa Clara University, she and Fr. Wester kept in touch. When she was home from school they would meet for lunch or dinner. She has the honor of being one of the few people who have ever succeeded in surprising the now Bishop Wester.

"I got word somehow that Fr. Wester was leaving Marin Catholic and taking a job in the archdiocesan chancery. One night, we convinced Fr. Wester that there was something wrong in the school gym. He came running over, and the gym was full of students and his friends and family. We shouted ‘Surprise,’ and we really got him."

Bertone was in London when Fr. Wester was made Bishop Wester. As a surprise she flew into town for his installation, another ceremony filled with Wester family members and friends.

"He was surprised by all the fuss we went to," she said. "He’s so humble, he just can’t believe people would go to such trouble for him. We were thrilled for him."

Today, Bertone said, Bishop Wester is "like family. I’m so pleased for him. I know he will be wonderful for the Diocese of Salt Lake City."

One aspect of Bishop Wester’s personality that makes him both a good priest and a good bishop is his understanding of justice and his compassion for people who have suffered injustice.

"He’s one of the good guys," she said. "He cares deeply about people, and his innate sense of justice is the basis of many of his decisions."

Bertone said Bishop Wester is an example of the many good priests who, in the last several years, have just kept on in their ministry in spite of scandal and loss.

"These are our priests," she said. "They love the Catholic Church, and they wouldn’t think of doing anything to hurt it or the people."

In 2000, Bertone went on a pilgrimage with Bishop Wester and a number of other San Francisco Catholics. They visited Germany, Austria, Salzburg, Rome, and Assisi.

"The pilgrimage was a life-changing experience for me. We had Mass every day, and we got to share with Bishop Wester his love of travel."

Bertone is one of the many San Francisco Catholics who say frankly they hope to see Bishop Wester return to San Francisco some day. "But whatever happens happens, he has taught us to be accepting of it. This is our belief."

As Bishop Wester was preparing to leave San Francisco, Bertone and others assured him that their good wishes and their prayers would be going with him.

"We will be praying for him, and praying for the church in Salt Lake City. I pray he will remain grounded in his family, that he will stay in touch with all of us, and that his new friends in Utah will love him as much as we do."