September 19, 2001

Bishop Raymond Lucker served the Roman Catholic Church as a priest for 49 years, a bishop for 30 years, and the Ordinary of New Ulm for 25 years. Here in New Ulm he was well beloved. We grieve his death, even as we celebrate his passing to new life in Jesus Christ and ask the heavenly Father's mercy upon his soul.

Bishop Lucker worked tirelessly for the good of the people entrusted to his care. He had a passion for fostering ecumenical relations, for promoting social concern on issues of justice and peace and for empowering lay men and women in the ministry of evangelization, catechesis, and, as he said, in the transformation of the world. He constantly raised our consciousness and concern for the poor in the Third World by his support for and visits to our mission in Guatemala.

Over the past two months since my appointment to succeed him, I had the opportunity on four occasions to thank the Bishop for the marvelous commentary that he recently published on his episcopal ministry in New Ulm entitled: Prairie Views: Twenty-five Years of Pastoral Letters. I urge every Catholic adult and young person to read those monthly reflections. Not only do they give the historical chronology of events during that period, but they also reveal the heart of one who was truly a good shepherd. I do not believe any reader would come away from the experience uninspired.

In December of 1983, Bishop Lucker spoke of the joy he had experienced that past year. He wrote that the priests of the diocese were his greatest joy. There he mentions the joy he derived from visiting parishes and meeting with parishioners. These encounters, he says, are "life-giving" and he returns home "renewed and buoyed up."

In March 1992 the Bishop reflected on his then sixty-five years of life and concluded: "I have had a very interesting, challenging, and blessed life. I have been gifted by God. I receive the constant support and affirmation of many people. I invite you to join with me in giving thanks to God for the past . . ."

Here in New Ulm and in our Guatemalan mission, we do join in that thanksgiving prayer for the life, the death, and the ministry of this dedicated servant of God. We entrust him now to the care of Mary, the Mother of God, to whom Bishop Lucker dedicated January 1 each year as the official feast day of the diocese. May our Blessed Lady escort him to the Lord Jesus who in turn will soon admit him into the company of all the saints.

Eternal life grant unto him, O Lord. And may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

09-19-2001

More Information about Bishop Lucker

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Background information on education, pastoral experience, and publications.

PASTORAL LETTERS Selected letters published previously in the diocesan newspaper, the Prairie Catholic.

POSITION STATEMENTS 1976-2001

NEW BOOK! Prairie Views Twenty-five Years of Pastoral Letters

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO OF THE BISHOP
(click to download - 866k)