Priests were asked what they thought of the ordination and installation ceremony for Bishop Thomas Zinkula on June 22 at St. John Vianney Church in Bettendorf. Here are some responses:
Father Joe Jacobi smiles with Bishop Thomas Zinkula during a reception June 22. The two went to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
“The Mass was very inspiring, especially when he went around and blessed everyone. It made it real.” Father Joseph Sia, pastor of St. Joseph Parish-Columbus Junction and sacramental administrator at St. Joseph- West Liberty.
“It was spectacular and moving. We are blessed with the bishop who has been sent to us.” Father Christopher Young of St. Peter Parish-Buffalo, St. Alphonsus and St. Mary parishes-Davenport.
“He is a good friend. The celebration was beautiful and Archbishop (Michael) Jackels was right on with his homily. Bishop Zinkula is so real, humble and humorous with people,” said Father Joe Jacobi, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, who attended Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., with Bishop Thomas Zinkula.
Mass was “powerful,” said Father Patrick Hilgendorf, pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish-Bloomfield and St. Patrick Parish-Ottumwa. He said he pointed out to seminarians for the Davenport Diocese that Bishop Thomas Zinkula would be the bishop who would ordain them, God willing. The Mass was “moving for all of us and especially for our seminarians.”
When he was a seminarian, Fr. Hilgendorf witnessed the installation of Bishop William Franklin. “I remember saying, ‘This will be the man who will ordain me.’” Fr. Hilgendorf noted that some of his parishioners in Bloomfield are distant relatives to Bishop Zinkula.
Father Tim Sheedy, pastor of St. Mary Parish-Solon: “The music was great. The bishop’s approach and love and charity are going to be outstanding. He has a sense of humor that brings you right to him.” Fr. Sheedy met Bishop Zinkula during a sabbatical to Rome in 2011. Both were at the North American College for three months. “He is very serious, but friendly. He likes to travel a lot.”
Fr. Sheedy thinks Bishop Zinkula will be a bishop for his priests, deacons, and religious and especially for the people of our diocese. “He will listen and be present. I have been given a brother priest I am proud to call my bishop and to know him as a good friend.”
