Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, May 8, 2003 9:00 a.m. -- Attend Presbyteral Council Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Friday, May 9, 2003 9:30 a.m. -- Preside at Morning Prayer, Parish Secretaries' Day, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison 2:30 p.m. -- Preside at Dedication and Blessing, St. Marys Care Center, Madison Saturday, May 10, 2003 4:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Poynette Sunday, May 11, 2003 10:30 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains Wednesday, May 14, 2003 7:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Clement Parish, Lancaster Thursday, May 15, 2003 10:30 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Oaklawn Academy, Edgerton 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Serra Club of Madison Annual Bishop's Dinner, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, May 8, 2003 9:00 a.m. -- Attend Presbyteral Council Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, May 10, 2003 4:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, SS. Andrew and Thomas Parish, Tennyson-Potosi Sunday, May 11, 2003 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Bernard Parish, Watertown Wednesday, May 14, 2003 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Olaf Parish, De Forest Thursday, May 15, 2003 6:00 p.m. -- Attend Serra Club of Madison Annual Bishop's Dinner, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

'To Whom It May Concern'

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

As nature renews itself this springtime, many wonderful events take place. I refer also to the special parish times when our youngsters celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a first time and receive their First Holy Communion, and many of our teenagers receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Springtime and Confirmation

Spring is a time for weddings, for ordinations to the priesthood, and anniversaries of both. Included among them all are graduations from grade school, high school, and college. These are all special spiritual moments in family, parish, and diocese.

"Please pray for the young men and women of our diocese, and assist them in whatever way you can. By that I mean share the values of your faith and experience with them. They need this so very much."

Let me turn to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation of our young people in this Easter season for it is indeed a special moment for them and their parents.

Religious instruction, service projects, prayer, and a retreat are all part of the preparation for our young people as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Our young people live in a highly pressured teenage secular environment. Voices of the world with all its enticements and allurements add to the heavy pressure from peers to conform to what everyone else is doing.

Parents find this a difficult time because they truly want their sons and daughters to prove themselves in the world as they grow up, but they also wish their sons and daughters to be aware of the pitfalls and traps of the world that can easily enslave them with false values.

'Be my disciple'

Yet, amid all the pressure, our young people hear the call of Jesus: "If you will be my disciple, deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me." (Lk 9:23)

As part of the preparation for Confirmation young people are asked to write a letter to the confirming Bishop, in our instances, Bishop George Wirz or myself, stating their desire to be confirmed. Both Bishop Wirz and I are faithful in reading these letters.

Letters from the confirmands

Usually these letters are addressed - "Your Excellency" or "Bishop Bullock" and on occasion the young person says "Your Eminence" - but the most unique letter I have ever received in my 23 years as Bishop began "To whom it may concern."

It caught my attention for several reasons and touched on what has been a special apostolic effort in my years as Bishop - namely to speak directly at Confirmation time to our young people with openness and compassion. Their letters are usually very focused, pointed, sincere, and well written.

Their letters reflect that they are deeply aware of their teenage environment and truly wish to commit themselves to follow Christ by living their lives in him. They tell me it's tough but it can be done.

Please pray for the young men and women of our diocese, and assist them in whatever way you can. By that I mean share the values of your faith and experience with them. They need this so very much.

Give them good example

Our young people are very sharp. They listen closely to what we do perhaps more than what we say. They are bright people who truly listen to their parents and grandparents far more than you will ever know. Your example, encouragement, affirmation - yes, even correction - is noted and appreciated.

The letter addressed "To whom it may concern" is really addressed to you, their parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and other relatives whose concern and love have brought them this far.

Gratitude and thanks

Springtime is a great time for me to say "thank you" to all our parents, priests, religious, catechists, and teachers. Please receive my deep gratitude to all parents at this time of year, as your children celebrate the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, eucharist, confirmation, and marriage.

You work so diligently and caringly for your children at all stages of their development. Never give up on them. When they fail, pick them up. When they succeed, affirm them. In all things, your love will prevail in their lives.