Sally Ann Brickner Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross Bishop Banks, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross extend heartfelt congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving to God for your pastoral leadership as Bishop of Green Bay during the past decade. As a diocesan community of women religious, we are inserted in the local Church of Green Bay and are directly responsible to you, our bishop. Nearly all of us live and minister within the Green Bay Diocese, and therefore are directly affected by your pastoral care. We truly appreciate your consistent concern for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the People of God in this Diocese. You have competently fulfilled your responsibilities as our Local Ordinary - to teach, to govern, to sanctify.
Some examples come to mind.
As Administrator - You have involved clergy and laity in diocesan governance through the Vicariate structure and the use of councils and boards. You have reactivated the diaconate program. You have directed two cycles of regional planning among parishes, fostered parish renewal throughout the diocese with Renew 2000, and promoted stewardship through your pastoral letter on generosity. As Priest - You have promoted renewal in parish worship and spirituality, encouraged evangelization, fostered ecumenical dialogue, and urged love of the Eucharist through your pastoral letter and celebration of the Eucharistic Congress. You constantly pray for and promote vocations and invite us to do the same.