Archbishop Bernard Hebda said that Pope Francis’ naming of Father Joseph Williams as the next auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis gave him one more reason to love our Holy Father. “I’m just over-the-moon thrilled” that he would have chosen somebody so blessed, he said.
“We all feel so blessed that the archdiocese will benefit from Bishop-elect Williams’ gifts, which are extensive,” he said, including his intelligence, being a man of great discernment, his great love for the Church and Christ, and his work as vicar for Latino ministry.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda
Bishop-elect Williams has not only a heart for Latino ministry and for immigrants and refugees, he said, but incredible Spanish language skills. “I’ve always enjoyed watching him interact with his Spanish-speaking parishioners and his sense of evangelization,” he said, “and the way he’s inspired his parishioners, as well, to engage in that work is really noteworthy.”
Archbishop Hebda made his remarks about Bishop-elect Williams during a recent interview with “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley for an upcoming episode.
Archbishop Hebda recalled participating in Synod small group sessions at Bishop-elect Williams’ parishes, St. Stephen and Holy Rosary in Minneapolis. He said the work of evangelization that’s at the heart “of what we’re doing in the Synod” is right in Bishop-elect Williams’ wheelhouse.
He also called the choice of Bishop-elect Williams an affirmation for all priests in the archdiocese, and for the archdiocese, “that together they’ve produced” a priest like Father Williams, and also noting “his amazing family.” The archbishop said Bishop-elect Williams will bring “that web of relationships into his ministry always, being rooted in family and the dynamics there.”
“He’s just such a great brother as a priest and I know he’s going to be a great brother as an auxiliary bishop, so I’m really excited.”
During the interview, Conley also asked Archbishop Hebda about family Christmas traditions from his childhood.
One tradition his mother introduced when the archbishop was a small child was giving gifts to the Christ child. He was asked to take a Christmas gift he received and leave it at the parish manger scene, “hoping that the pastor would give it to somebody in need,” he said. “It was a nice way of reminding us of the giving part of it, keeping Christ at the center. For that, I will always be grateful.”
To hear more memories of family Christmas traditions from Archbishop Hebda and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which airs at 9 p.m. Dec. 24, 1 p.m. Dec. 25 and 2 p.m. Dec. 26 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Nick Chalmers, director of choirs at Chesterton Academy in Hopkins and director of music at Annunciation in Minneapolis, and local musician and recording artist Luke Spehar. Both describe and play a recording of a favorite Christmas song: Spehar’s rendition of “Oh, Holy Night,” and “Away in a Manger” performed by the Mirandala Ensemble, where Chalmers serves as artistic director.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
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