News Release #332

Released to media on March, 2001

Bird Island - On February 18, 2001, pastoral leaders, parish representatives, Bishop Lucker’s family members and friends gathered for a remarkable celebration held in Bird Island, the geographical center of the diocese, to say thank you to their pastoral leader and friend. Six hundred celebrated a farewell bi-lingual Mass followed by a dinner attended by nearly a thousand. Testimonials and gifts were presented by representatives of the diocese, ecumenical, and civic communities. Dignitaries included in the testimonials honoring Bishop were U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone; Reverend Stanley Olson, Bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; and Ernest and Vernell Wabasha, Hereditary Chief of the Lower Sioux Community. Emcee of the program was Father Germain Rademacher, pastor of the Church of St. Catherine, Redwood Falls.

Those giving testimonials praised his work in catechetical leadership but emphasized his pastoral nature, many calling him friend and mentor.

In an emotional farewell speech Bishop expressed his gratitude and love for the people of the diocese. "The most important thing I have learned in my life is that God is here."

After the celebration dinner, Bishop offered as a gift to all who were present his self-published book Prairie Views. The book is a collection of 25 years of his pastoral letters to the people of the diocese. Copies of Prairie Views are available for sale at the Catholic Pastoral Center, New Ulm.

Pope John Paul II announced Bishop Lucker’s retirement November 17, 2000. Since then Bishop has been diagnosed with a reoccurance of untreatable cancer. He currently resides at the Archbishop Leo C. Byrne Residence, St. Paul. MN.