As the first anniversary of his episcopal ordination (Aug. 4) nears, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost accepted an invitation to return to where he began his priestly ministry.
He celebrated Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish in Madison – the farthest east parish in the diocese – on July 30. Father Sean Donnelly, pastor, invited him for the liturgy and a welcome-back reception after Mass. Father Conrad Wald, OSB, the parish’s weekend assistant, concelebrated the liturgy with Father Donnelly.
“This is where it all began 39 years ago,” the bishop said, noting he served five years – 1984-1989 – at the parish.
“I have wonderful memories. It was a blessing and it shaped my priesthood,” he told the parishioners who nearly filled the church. Bishop Woost also noted it was the only parish where he ministered full time during his priesthood. After the assignment ended, he became the diocesan vocation director and then began graduate school. He has served as a seminary professor for the past 24 years in addition to his newest ministries as auxiliary bishop and interim director of the diocesan Office for Worship.
“My seminary classes often hear about my time here,” he said. “But it’s not about me, it’s about Jesus,” he said as he segued to his homily.
In the first reading, he said the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask anything and he would get it. Solomon noted God already made him king but said because he was young he wasn’t sure how to act, so he asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge his people and distinguish right from wrong. The request pleased the Lord and he granted it.
“I kind of felt like that 39 years ago,” the bishop quipped, noting he didn’t understand what he was getting into as he began his priestly ministry. “We all need an understanding heart. It enables us to recognize the kingdom of heaven and the treasures hidden in the fields of our lives like a great parish community, which is a gift from God.”
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field which a person finds and hides again, the sells everything to buy the field. In another analogy, he said a merchant who was searching for fine pearls finds one and sells everything he has to buy it. A third parable in the Gospel said the kingdom of heaven is like a net tossed into the sea to collect all kinds of fish. The fisherman keeps what’s good and throws away what’s bad.
“We -- you and I – are that pearl of great price. God is willing to give up everything – even his beloved son – to get us because we are that valuable to him. We are the pearl of great price and God is willing to invest in us to get us,” the bishop said. “But do we see ourselves as a treasure hidden in our lives?”
God invites us all to discover this in our ordinary lives so we shouldn’t be surprised that God comes to us through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, he said.
Bishop Woost said he came to Immaculate Conception with gratitude for the five years he spent there, noting he continues to grow in his faith journey and priesthood even after 39 years in ministry. “If I’m a bishop and if I’m a good shepherd, it’s because of what God did for me. My prayer is that God continues to bless this community and that he lets it thrive in faith, hope and charity and that everyone recognizes the treasure hidden in this community of Madison. You are that pearl of great price and I pray that God’s blessing be upon you now and always,” he said.
After Mass, the bishop greeted parishioners and offered blessings. He chatted with several longtime parishioners who swapped stories about his time there before heading to the parish hall for a reception.
The bishop reminisced as he looked through the Memory Lane display with photos from his time at the parish, including a copy of a letter written by his late parents. He and parishioners also looked through the several scrapbooks filled with photos from various parish events.