When I was still a young boy I fell in love with the most beautiful lady, who happened to be the spouse of Jesus, His Body, the Church. From early on, I never thought of the Church as either an abstract theory or an external institution - for there was always something personal, mysterious and captivating about her. Like any lover who was smitten by the beloved, I really could not understand why everyone didn't find in her all the beautiful qualities that I found so attractive.

It was in the fourth grade that I first publicly articulated the attraction I felt for wanting to give my life as a priest to that lovely lady. Yet, in high school, I hit a roadblock. What kind of priest should I be: a missionary or a stay-at-home padre? I discerned that the latter was God's calling for me, only to discover that God has a great sense of humor. By following the path to be a diocesan priest, I spent 10 1/2 years in Rome, far away from family, friends and the people I thought I was being called to serve.

Now a bishop from another far away country who himself was called to Rome to stand in the shoes of the great fisherman has in turn called me to be the third shepherd of New Ulm, While I have never been here before, I now claim this place as my home and I ask you to be my family in Christ.

Like any new relationship, there is some awkwardness in this first meeting. You are asking: What is he like? How will we get along? What's he going to do? And I, for my part, am asking the same things about you.

But you know, I have a strong sense of God's Providence and, as the Holy Father says, there are no mere coincidences in God's plan for us. I have been sent as an apostle to minister among you. I come as a priest, not a politician. I come as a shepherd, not a CEO. I come to lay down my life for you. I also come knowing that true service in Christ's Church can only happen in and through love. So I come here to love you with the love of Jesus Christ.

I am deeply grateful to his Holiness, Pope John Paul II, for having the confidence to entrust me with this new ministry. I wrote to the Holy Father last Wednesday asking him to pray both for me and for everyone in the diocese.

I wish to thank Cardinal Maida whom I have served as seminary rector, pastor of one of his largest parishes and for these past five years as auxiliary bishop. His Eminence has taught me many valuable lessons in how to be a shepherd for God's people.

Along with the faithful of this diocese, I am indebted to the dedicated pastoral service of Bishop Raymond Lucker. For 25 years, he has been the Bishop of New Ulm, tirelessly spending his energies on behalf of this total community. I join you in praying that he continues to have strength of body and mind to fight the cancer that presently confronts him.

Finally, a word of heartfelt thanks to Father Jerry Berger, who has served as Administrator and to the consultors who, along with the priests, religious and lay leaders, have carried on the work of the Church so diligently since Bishop Lucker retired last year. May Christ be praised in all that you are and all that you have done in his name.

Returning to that boyhood love of the Church that continues to motivate my life's work, I make my own the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians:

"Make every effort to preserve to unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given to all of you by your call...

(So)... let us profess the truth in love and grow to full maturity of Christ the head. Through him the whole body grows, and with proper functioning of the members joined firmly together by each supporting ligament, builds itself up in love." (Eph 4: 3-4, 15-16)

Thank you!