Bishop Wester celebrates 10th episcopal anniversary

Intermountain Catholic

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The Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City says prayers of consecration at a Mass Sept. 18. The Mass celebrated his 10th anniversary as a bishop. Bishop Wester was ordained a bishop Sept. 18, 1998, in St. Mary Cathedral in San Francisco, Calif. The music for the Mass was provided by the choristers of the Madeleine Choir School, as were the lector and the altar servers. During his homily the bishop spoke of service to the church and of Jesus' mission to the world during his life. IC photo by Barbara Stinson Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — On the 10th anniversary of his episcopal ordination, the Most Reverend Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City spoke of how the Catholic Church celebrates service.

"I was ordained a bishop Sept. 18, 1998, in the Cathedral of St. Mary in San Francisco, Calif., but it was not my day. It was the church’s day to celebrate ministry."

He drew attention to the painting of Christ as the Good Shepherd in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. "Today we celebrate Jesus the Good Shepherd, who works through all of us... I serve you as bishop, but we all share in ministry."

The bishop said there were three specific elements to Jesus’ ministry: Jesus was merciful; his ministry included everyone; and Jesus’ ministry was one of love. "Jesus served with compassion, and we have to serve that way, too.

Bishop Wester told the story of celebrating a Mass in Spanish. A little boy walked up to him and said, "Do you speak English? "That’s what inclusivity means," he said.

"Jesus sends me to you and you to me so that we can all speak the same language of love. Listen to how God is calling us so that we can respond to him by being good shepherds."