You have the appreciation of your fellow Bishops for your devotion to religious education, in particular. Whether as director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and Superintendent of Education for your home Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis or as director of the Department of Education at the U.S. Catholic Conference, your commitment to and expertise in catechesis and evangelization put you at the forefront of developments in these areas. This was recognized by your selection as a delegate to the International Catechetical Congress in Rome in 1971 and your election by your fellow Bishops to be a delegate to the 1977 assembly of the Synod of Bishops on catechetics.

- Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza,

Bishop of Galveston-Houston

President of NCCB, Washington D.C.

You have served in various capacities and you have served well because you have always brought the pastoral dimension to your ministry. Without that pastoral dimension, and listening to the heart, ministry becomes quiet sterile. You have never permitted this to happen to you. I know that the priests, religious, deacons and people of New Ulm have experienced this as have so many in the Archdiocese of St.Paul and Minneapolis where you ministered in the first years of your priesthood.

- Archbishop Harry J. Flynn

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

I am grateful for all you have done for my home diocese and how you have been such a great spiritual leader for the people of the Diocese of New Ulm. I quickly add to this note of gratitude, for all you have been for the Church in this country and beyond. You have touched so many lives — and especially mine — in ways you may never know or realize. All I can say is, thank you and may God reward you for the great priest and bishop you are and always have been.

- Bishop John McRaith

Diocese of Owensboro, KY

We recognize Bishop Lucker as he celebrates his twenty-fifth anniversary of installation as the second bishop of the New Ulm diocese on February 18, 2001 with the appreciation and respect of the people of Minnesota.

- Governor Jesse Ventura

St. Paul, January 22, 2001

The prophetic faith of my religion, Judaism, is to love God, is to love justice. And you, Bishop Lucker, are about loving God and loving justice. So many times, our paths have crossed, and so many times I just feel you in my presence. . . the Nuclear Arms Race, the poor in our country, and the poor in Guatemala. When it comes to the Latino Community, the Native American Community, and all communities of color, you are always there. There with the family farmers speaking up! And always talking about the importance of the role and significant involvement, and decision-making power of women in the church.. . . you have lived your life, you have lived your faith. I believe that God is here because you are here.

- Paul Wellstone

U.S. Senator

Your tireless leadership in the diocese over a quarter of a century has overseen the training of many parishioners not only spiritually, but also outfitted them for civic tasks and duties that have helped to make New Ulm the strong community that it is.

The City of New Ulm offers sincere congratulations to you for all your contributions to this municipality over the years. In the name of the City of New Ulm and its citizens,

-Arnold J. Koelpin,

Mayor of New Ulm

For many months we have just dreaded the coming of this day. We want you to know that it has been a pleasure and an honor to have worked with you having you for our bishop and friend. We have learned much from you about caring and life. Friendship is the highest form of love and you have given it to us and we thank you. May the path of the Great Spirit continue his blessings in a magnificent way. The Lower Sioux Community would like to present these moccasins to you in token of your friendship and the deep love and understanding that you showed our community. We hope you will continue to walk in beauty in the path of the Great Spirit.

-Ernest and Vernell Wabasha

Lower Sioux Community, Morton

My earliest memory of Bishop Lucker was when he visited the Pastoral Center before he was installed as bishop. Bishop Lucker’s open office door policy told us that we had a new bishop with new, fresh, and open ideas. He held his convictions strongly, but he was able to listen to other points of view and willing to modify his position. He respected the person and the opinions of every member of the Council and considered no idea too far-fetched to be given fair treatment. I have grown as a person and a priest as a result of my close association with Bishop Lucker. When I attend state or national conventions, when meeting new people I have only to say "I’m from Bishop Lucker’s diocese." All of them know and respect him. I hope every person in our diocese realizes what a fine bishop we have had.

- Fr. Eugene Brown

secretary, Priests’ Council

Bishop Lucker has always thought of others before himself. I deal with managers in my profession but this manager (bishop) had a different outlook. He was a manager that listened and pondered what people had to say. He cared truly about the concerns of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. You have served us well and we thank you.

- Larry Lokin, chair

Diocesan Pastoral Council

Truly Bishop Lucker is known as a man who patterned his life after Jesus. Considering his chosen vocation as priest and bishop, the qualities he exhibited fit his job description quite well. Bishop Raymond Lucker will be remembered for his service to the people of the Diocese of New Ulm. He will be fondly thought of for his goodness, kindness, gentleness, and peacefulness.

- Wayne Pelzel, Principal

St. Mary Elementary

Sleepy Eye

I know Bishop Lucker as a loving uncle. As children we never were sure what to call him. To us he was Uncle-Father-Bishop-Ray. But, when I had trouble in my life he assured me that Jesus loves me and so did he. He called me on a regular basis, came to my home, we took walks together. I struggled as a single mother and he was always there to reassure me. Now I am married with three children and close to completing a doctorate program. I know that none of this would have happened without his unconditional love.

- Sue Frei, Bishop’s Niece

If I had to use just a couple words, I would describe Bishop Lucker, in the time I knew him, as a humble servant of the people of the Diocese of New Ulm. He was always busy, visiting parishes, expressing gratitude for the work of so many people in our diocese. And for me, I saw him especially in light of his charism with the youth. When I first heard the call to priesthood, I was very involved with youth ministry activities. Seeing Bishop Lucker there energizing, and being energized by the youth was an inspiration for me. There are now almost twice as many seminarians as compared to my first year in seminary, and more are coming up behind us. More people are interested in, and taking seriously, a vocation to priesthood or religious life. And the youth and young adults of today are on fire, searching for truth, and finding God. I celebrate our diocese for exactly what it is, a people and a place. A people cared for and nurtured by a shepherd. Bishop Lucker is the only bishop I have ever known in this diocese. And I have seen the results of his work, not affecting his people as just a distant administrator, but touching them personally as their leader. He reached beyond even the bounds of our own diocese to Guatemala, helping improve their lives. He served the people, and encouraged them in their work. Whether it was praising the work of his people, or celebrating Mass at a youth rally, there was always a certain joy expressed in his ministry to us. As we experience this transition between bishops, Christ says to us, "I will be with you always." Our response is to pray, to trust, and to hope. We pray in thanksgiving for Bishop Lucker’s service to us, and we pray for a new bishop who will respond to God’s word and will with a generous and joyful heart. With a trusting heart we carry an expectant hope that God prepares a true servant to lead us well.

- Craig Timmerman