On his Appointment

Photos and complete interview  +   how a Bishop is chosen  +  Bishop Listecki's Coat of Arms  +  his appointment

This is Bishop Listecki's statement on the day his appointment was announced, 29 December 2004. 

It is with deep humility that I accept the appointment of His Holiness John Paul II as the new Bishop of La Crosse Wisconsin.  It is an honor following Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, a person I consider a friend and a bishop that I respect and admire.

For the past four years I have served as auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George, his auxiliary bishops, the clergy, religious and faithful have been my teachers.  I will be forever grateful for their assistance in forming me as priest and bishop.  I will miss them for their great witness and counsel as I will miss the Archdiocese of Chicago, which has been my my home.

Now the Church has called me to the diocese of La Crosse Wisconsin and together we will witness the Gospel message in union with the Vicar of Christ.  I look forward to working with Archbishop Timothy Dolan our Metropolitan and the other bishops of Wisconsin in serving God's people.  I wish to express my thanks to Father Richard Gilles who has so competently administered the diocesan affairs.  I am excited at the prospects of collaborating with the priests, deacons, religious and lay ministers in responding to the needs of our diocese.

Today is the feast of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr (laughter).  He know the cost of discipleship and the importance of the role of bishop in the life of the Church.  In his letter St. Thomas writes;

"If we who are called bishops desire to understand the meaning of our calling and to be worthy of it, we must strive to keep our eyes on him whom God has appointed high priest for ever, and to follow in his footsteps."

 

I beg you help to assist me in keeping our eyes on Jesus through calling the faithful to worship, providing the sacraments, preaching the gospel, teaching the truths of the faith and promoting works of charity.  Together we will support each other in our common vocation "holiness".

It will take some time for me to adjust to this my new home so I ask that you be patient as I learn how to be your bishop.  I aks your forgiveness for any mistakes that I may make during this time of transition.

On the website for the diocese of La Crosse is posted a prayer for the election of a Bishop.

"Lord God, you are our eternal shepherd and guide.  In your mercy grant to your church in La Crosse a shepherd after your own heart who will walk in your ways and whose watchful care will bring us your blessing."

 

I pledge to do my best in fulfilling the confidence placed in me by our Holy Father Pope John Paul II and with your help to bring about the blessing sought after in prayer.

Bishop Listecki's Coat of Arms

The great seal of the Diocese of La Crosse (viewer's left side of the shield) is on a field of silver.  the three wavy bands at the bottom represent the three rivers flowing through the Diocese - the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers.  The cross of gold within the canoe symbolizes the travels of the early Jesuit missionaries through the Diocese, and the faith they brought to the area. Below the left arm of the cross is a lacrosse racket, from the game played by Native Americans who first inhabited the territory.  Below the right arm is a sheaf of wheat, indicating the predominantly rural nature of the Diocese.  The wheat is also a symbol of the Hoy Sacrifice of the Mass.  The remainder of the diocesan side of the shield is occupied by three hills of green behind the cross, which represent the bluffs and hills found in the Diocese.

For his personal coat of arms (viewer's right side of the shield), His Excellency, Bishop Listecki has adopted a design suggested by Father Anthony Brankin, that reflects his personal heritage, his life as a priest, and now as a bishop.

The red on the shield is employed for His Excellency's deep devotion to the Sacred Heart.  The majority of the charges of the design are rendered in silver (white) which, with the red, are the colors of the Polish national flag.  By these colors His Excellency honors the ethnic heritage that has come to him from his parents, Harry and Alfreda (Kasprzk) Listecki.

The dominant charge within the design is an open book, to reflect the Bishop's baptismal patron, St. Jerome, who is credited with "The Latin Vulgate" translation of the Sacred Scriptures.  The open book is also used to represent Bishop Listecki's many years of priestly ministry engaged in seminary education, teaching Moral Theology at Quigley, St. Joseph and Mundelein.  The book of laws is emblematic that His Excellency is both a civil and canon lawyer.  Since both bodies of law are responsible to the Law of Christ, the book is charged with the phrase "LEX CHRISTI LEX CARITATIS," meaning the "Law of Christ is the Law of Love."

The open book is placed on two crossed golden swords to reflect first the Bishop's deep devotion to the Defender of the Faith, St. Michael the Archangel.  It is also used to signify the many years His Excellency has been a military chaplain, currently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (retired) in the United States Army.  It also signifies that at the time of his appointment as bishop, His Excellency was the first diocesan pastor of the Jesuit St. Ignatius Church in Chicago.

The conjoined book and swords are placed below a silver (white) fleur-de-lis, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The book and swords are also placed below a silver (white) eight-pointed star, the symbol of the light of truth, placed within the design to honor St. Dominic, founder of the religious Order of Preachers.

For his motto, His Excellency has selected the phrase "LIFE IS CHRIST."  This phrase from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians (Phil 1:18-26) expresses His Excellency's deep belief that, for Catholic Christians, every aspect of life is necessarily intertwined with faith and belief that Jesus Christ and the need to respect life, so endangered in today's society.

The coat of arms is completed with external ornaments: a gold processional cross, placed in back of the shield and extending above and below the shield, and a pontifical hat, called a "gallero," with its six tassels, in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green.  These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by the instruction of the Holy See of March 31, 1969.