What I have seen and heard


	Bishop Gregory

It can simultaneously be amusing and inspiring to witness young parents attempt to teach their youngsters the lessons of common courtesy. “What do you say when you want to ask for something?” Please? “Now, what do you say when you receive something?” Thank you?
“Please” and “thank you” are simple phrases we all learned as children. They express both politeness and gratitude. Even as adults, we continue to use those phrases as the key to respectable conduct. Last Sunday, I hosted the Crosier Society Mass and reception. It was my turn to say “thank you” for the great generosity that so many of our people extend to the programs and services that are supported by our ABA.
I need to say “thank you” to all those whose contributions made the ABA a success. I can never say thank you enough to all of the kind people in this local church.

As I was leaving the McCormick Center, a gracious lady told me, “Bishop, you are the first bishop to say thanks.” I hope and trust that I am not the first, but I want to be one of the more faithful bishops to express his thanks for all that our folks do to support the life of the Church on the parochial, diocesan and universal levels.
More than a few bishops have asked me the question: “How do you manage to be so available for the Conference and still manage to care for your diocese?”

I always begin by saying that I have an excellent staff with whom I have worked closely for nearly ten years, share everything, and stay in constant contact. They are a group of extraordinary people, several of whom have been serving the Diocese of Belleville for more years than I have been the bishop.

I do manage to keep in close contact with them — more than perhaps some of them would desire — through the telephone, email, and even the “snail mail.”

All of them work well together, which makes my job that much easier. They know my mind and heart and can pretty much tell what things I will do and what things I won’t do.

I must tell them – “Thank you.” I want to take the occasion of this Thanksgiving Day column to say thanks from the heart. To all of them, Vicar General, Chancellor, Judicial Vicar, Marriage Tribunal Staff, Human Resources, Vocation Office, Pro-Life Director, Vice-Chancellor, Secretaries and Receptionists, CFO, Development Department, Education Office, Youth Office, Pastoral Services Department, Catholic Charities, CSS Staff, Hispanic Affairs, and all of the generous folks who clean the offices, fix and maintain the property and equipment, and of course those who communicate all of the events and activities that take place in this local Church – our Messenger staff. Thank you to every one of them and to those that I might have neglected, but would surely miss if they were not there doing such a splendid job for all of the people of our diocese and for me personally.

Thanksgiving is a special opportunity for me to practice what I learned as a child — to say thanks for all that I have received. May Thanksgiving be a blessed and joyful time for all of you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The Messenger
2620 Lebanon Ave.
Belleville, IL 62221
phone: 618-235-9601
fax: 618-235-7416