Twenty-five years with Bishop Lucker

reflection on a leader that has prepared us for the next century

by Fr. Germain Rademacher

My priesthood of forty three years is shared with two bishops. Bishop Alphonse Schladweiler ordained me on February 23, 1958, at the Cathedral in New Ulm.

New counciliar and collaborative models were developing in the church but surely they were untested. They were mistrusted by some and at the same time hoped for by others. In this sometimes painful and yet growing period of the Roman Catholic Church, I found myself thrown into part-time administration in the Bishop’s office. As Bishop Schladweiler retired I gladly continued as friend and administrator of his personal affairs. I was blessed to have him as my first bishop.

Then began the last quarter of the century, 1975 to 2000. It was January, 1975, that I was assigned, along with Father Paul Schumacher, to St. Anastasia in Hutchinson. About the same time our second bishop arrived, Raymond A. Lucker. I knew him from seminary days as a teacher.

I remember calling him by phone to welcome him and offer my support. Over the past twenty-five years I have served with him in the presbyterate or pastor, on boards and councils, and very closely in administration.

While the Holy Spirit, age, and experience have moved me to some maturity and a deep love for the priesthood, it must be said that Bishop Lucker has helped me so much along the way. It has happened in unassuming ways of just being present. Priesthood is a gift. The priesthood of Bishop Lucker is a gift. He has shared his story of vocation often. His humanness is molded with a spirit of prayer and humility. In living with him for five years, I heard him share his life. He spoke privately and publicly often of "Jesus". He wondered why we (men especially) are sometimes embarrassed to speak the name, Jesus. He gave me a new reverence for this holy name.

God truly breathed the breath of life into him asking him to feed his sheep. Be my shepherd to the people of New Ulm. God breathes the breath of life into all of us. For me it was on the prairie of western Minnesota.

It was there I dug my barefoot toes into the rich soil of our family garden. It was at the tool shed that I learned a little about my grandfather’s and father’s carpentry. But little did I ever expect that some day I would be called to be a priest and that my shepherd Raymond would have such loves as gardening and wood working. These are kindred spirits that we share.

His many homemade qualities help so many of us to identify with him as a down to earth man of God. When one has both feet on the ground our walk is more easily in tune with God and his people.

I learned from Bishop Lucker that theology is more than spending four years of special study in the seminary. It has something to do with a search and study for the truth as to how God lives among his people. People change; cultures change and are different. Bishop Lucker believes that God’s relationship to his people is alive and developing.

Yes, these have been an exciting twenty-five years of church life. It has been a joy and grace to have served as priest with Bishop Lucker during this quarter century. The church is my home. Bishop Lucker has helped me to find a home that is warm and life giving. It is a home with furnishings that will help usher in the next quarter century of this new millennium.

Bishop Lucker came to us in New Ulm from his home in St. Paul. He has now returned to that native place in retirement. For twenty-five years he has nourished us, making the church our home.

Fr. Germain Rademacher is the pastor of St. Catherine, Redwood Falls, MN and is one of the first priests ordained for the Diocese of New Ulm when it was newly formed.