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Father LeVoir gets ready to be bishop of New Ulm |
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By Dave Hrbacek
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Tuesday, 09 September 2008 |
It seemed like just another day for a parish pastor at St. Michael in Stillwater. Father John LeVoir was at his desk in front of his computer on a Monday morning.
Bishop-designate John LeVoir is preparing to leave St. Michael in Stillwater to become the new bishop of the New Ulm Diocese. He will say goodbye to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis during a farewell vespers service at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at the Cathedral of St. Paul. - Photo by Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Things looked the same as they had for the last four years in which he has served as pastor.
The only thing out of place was the brightly colored zucchetto on the desk to his left. This was a tangible reminder that, within a week, he would no longer be seated at this desk.
Rather, he would occupy a larger one in New Ulm, where he is set to become the diocese’s new bishop, succeeding Archbishop John Nienstedt, who now serves in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Change of plans
Bishop-designate LeVoir got the surprising announcement from the Vatican June 30, right when he was preparing to lighten his work load for a few weeks.
“I was going to take July and just relax,” he said. “I was just going to have a lighter July and catch up on things.”
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If you go
• What:
Episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-designate John LeVoir as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm.
• When:
2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15
• Where:
New Ulm Civic Center
• Also:
A farewell vespers service
is set for the Cathedral of St. Paul at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
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Instead, he has made four trips to New Ulm to get to know the priests
and the people he’ll be serving after he is ordained a bishop at 2 p.m.
Sept. 15 at the New Ulm Civic Center.
His last order of business here is a farewell vespers service at 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12, at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Then, it’s on to New
Ulm, where he will immerse himself in Catholic — and rural — life.
“I have to learn a lot of geography, the towns and the cities and where
they are,” he said. “I know some, but I need to learn all the rest.”
In fact, learning is one of the things he will focus on once he assumes
his role of shepherd of the diocese. The other is listening to what the
people, priests and staff have to say. He also will ponder what
Archbishop Nienstedt has told him since he was appointed to succeed
him.
“[Archbishop Nienstedt] was very positive,” Bishop-designate LeVoir
said. “He enjoyed his time in New Ulm. He talked to me about the area
faith communities, the groupings of parishes. He worked on
restructuring the diocese so people could be served better. We [also]
talked about the priests. He’s very happy with the priests and the work
they’re doing.”
Local admirer
One person in particular has confidence that Bishop-designate LeVoir is a great choice for New Ulm.
Father Francis Kittock was pastor at St. Charles Borromeo in St.
Anthony when Bishop-designate LeVoir served there as an associate for
11 years following his ordination to the priesthood in 1981. Father
Kittock said Father LeVoir has several attributes that will make him a
good bishop.
“First of all, he was a prodigious worker,” said Father Kittock, who
was pastor at St. Charles for 27 years before retiring in 2000. “He’s
a very generous soul, but he’s also very kind — extremely kind — and
very patient.”
Bishop-designate LeVoir credits Father Kittock with helping him become
the successful pastor he is today. During the 11 years he was at St.
Charles, he was able to tap into the wisdom of Father Kittock, plus
spend time with another St. Charles associate who became bishop of
Columbus, Ohio — Bishop Frederick Campbell, who was at the parish from
1980 to 1987.
“Those were my golden years as an associate,” Bishop-designate LeVoir
said. “[Father Kittock] is my mentor. He’s a master teacher, and he
knows the church, loves the church. He’s a very sound, practical
decision-maker. So, his advice is invaluable.”
Father Kittock said he did little to make Bishop-designate LeVoir the
pastor he is today, other than give him opportunities to use his gifts.
One thing he did do, however, was facilitate a lot of theological
discussions between himself, Bishop-elect LeVoir, Bishop Campbell and
theologian Doug Bushman, who served at St. Charles from 1983 to 1987.
“It was fun because our table conversations were fantastic,” Father
Kittock said. “I remember one time we got into a discussion at the
breakfast table. And, about 10:30, we were still going and the
housekeeper said, ‘You guys get out of here. I’ve got to get lunch
ready.’ It was a very stimulating period in my life.”
Taking the next step
Those conversations have been somewhat renewed within the last month
out on the golf course, where Father Kittock and Bishop-designate
LeVoir have gotten out to play and talk about what lies ahead for New
Ulm’s new bishop. No doubt, Father Kittock has been helping the new
bishop deal with his apprehension.
“I tell people I’m nervous,” Bishop-designate LeVoir said. “The
responsibility — that’s the main thing. And, carrying out God’s will as
a bishop.
“Right now, it’s his will that I accept this. As time goes on, God lets
you know what you need to know. He doesn’t show you miles down the
road, but he shows you the next step.”
And, right now, the next step for Bishop-designate LeVoir is a trip south on Highway 169 to New Ulm.
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