A Homecoming

The Pittsburgh media and the Catholic media are excitedly reporting the appointment of Bishop David Zubik as the new bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The news came as a relief -- Bishop Zubik, who came out of Sewickley and Ambridge, was an auxiliary bishop in Pittsburgh prior to his appointment as Bishop of Green Bay in 2003.

He knows Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh knows him. A native son comes home to take the helm.

In 2001, I was working in Downtown Pittsburgh at the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission on the day of the September 11 terrorist attacks. After our offices closed, I went to the Noon Mass at St. Mary of Mercy Church -- celebrated by Bishop Zubik as Bishop Wuerl was away at a meeting in Washington, D.C.

I forget his exact words but I remember Bishop Zubik did a good job that day reassuring all of those at Mass.

I also once served as the lector at a confirmation at St. Alphonsus in McDonald presided over by Bishop Zubik. He did a fine job that day, too. He gave the kids some hard questions but was kind when they did not immediately have the answers.

May God bless you, Bishop Zubik, as you take these next steps in the journey. Thank you for your service to the Church, and your native place.