Photo Caption: Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, former Bishop of Peoria, processes into St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Sept. 6 for a Mass of Thanksgiving marking 25 years since his episcopal ordination.

By: By Tom Dermody

Twenty-five years after he was ordained a bishop in its sanctuary, Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark was warmly welcomed back to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria during a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sept. 6 concelebrated by his successor as Bishop of Peoria and more than 125 diocesan priests.

“It has been a great 25 years, filled with challenges and opportunities ? but always with God’s grace,” said Archbishop Myers, an Earlville native and priest of the diocese who was ordained as coadjutor Bishop of Peoria on Sept. 3, 1987. He became diocesan bishop following the retirement of Bishop Edward W. Rourke in 1990 and guided the Diocese of Peoria until his appointment to Newark in 2001.

Archbishop Myers was welcomed back to Peoria by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who warmly embraced him following the opening procession and said it was a “privilege and great personal joy” to lead him to the bishop’s chair. Bishop Jenky then led the assembly in prolonged applause for the archbishop.

There was more applause at the end of the Mass after a proclamation from Pope Benedict XVI was read congratulating Archbishop Myers for his “extraordinary and fruitful ministry” and for being a “faithful custodian of the Lord’s flock.” The pope also begged that the “the Divine Pastor Himself be a munificent remunerator to you for your merits.”

The proclamation was read by Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, who drew laughter after noting the five-paragraph letter from the pope was written in “high Ciceronian Latin” and clarifying that if some of the language was difficult to understand, “the Holy Father thinks you did a very, very good job.”

Msgr. Rohlfs, who worked closely with Archbishop Myers during his time in Peoria, returned for the celebration from his duties as vice president and rector at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.

Both Archbishop Myers and Msgr. Rohlfs remained in Peoria to take part in last weekend’s events celebrating Pope Benedict’s recent advancement of the sainthood cause of Diocese of Peoria native Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, including Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. Mass that filled St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Myers was among those at Sunday’s Mass who were presented souvenir copies of the two-volume book outlining why Archbishop Sheen should be declared a saint of the Catholic Church. Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Sheen Foundation, noted that during his leadership in Peoria the archbishop was “an early supporter of the very idea that the Diocese of Peoria would advance the cause of Fulton Sheen’s beatification.”

“HAPPY, FULFILLING YEARS”
Joining the priests and deacons at Thursday afternoon’s Mass were invited guests including members of Archbishop Myers’ family, representatives of religious communities, members of the diocesan Curia, and longtime friends, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Calling his years in the Peoria diocese “very happy and deeply fulfilling,” Archbishop Myers expressed “heartfelt thanks” to all who served with him.

“In my own mind (the anniversary) is more about you and your goodness and faithfulness than it is about me,” he told the assembly, many of whom joined him for a reception and dinner later that evening.

Archbishop Myers also commended to God those who “honored us with their service and friendship over these many years” and are now deceased.

Reflecting on the readings of the day, which included Jesus’ familiar counsel to “be not afraid,” Archbishop Myers said Catholics must not be controlled by fear, but rather trust in the Lord as we “live and proclaim the saving message, in season and out of season.”

“The world is desperate for a new evangelization, a fresh and vibrant proclamation of the Gospel of Christ,” said Archbishop Myers.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
In both his homily and later at the evening’s dinner, Archbishop Myers reflected on key moments in his ministry.

He recalled receiving a phone call from Pope John Paul II’s representative on July 6, 1987, informing him that the pope would like him to become coadjutor Bishop of Peoria.

“I asked, ‘Could I have time to pray and think about it?'” recalled Archbishop Myers. When informed his answer was needed immediately, “it took me about 30 seconds and the rest, as they say, is history.”

That history in the Diocese of Peoria included more than a decade of strong leadership that saw the ordination of more than 75 priests, the establishment of The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign, and growth in Eucharistic devotion including the hosting of a Eucharistic Congress at the Peoria Civic Center in 1992.

Archbishop Myers said he “got another 30 seconds when I was asked to transfer to the Archdiocese of Newark,” which boasts more than 1.3 million Catholics.

In his remarks following the dinner, Archbishop Myers noted that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — less than a month before his scheduled installation in Newark — defined his first months there. About 800 members of his flock were among the victims.

“My first six months included many funerals, memorial Masses and visiting families,” he said. But the reaction to the tragedy also showcased “the goodness of Christ” as Catholic dioceses from around the United States — including the Diocese of Peoria — send more than $1 million to the Archdiocese of Newark to help with various needs.

“I know how good you are,” he told the group. “I’ve experienced that.”

As he worked to restore the faith of those whose lives were shattered or shaken, he issued a pastoral message, “If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us — A Reflection on Faith and Terrorism.”

Bishop Jenky called Archbishop Myers one who “leads by example, fighting for Christ and his kingdom” and is “someone we love, respect, and trust.”

Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general, called Archbishop Myers “a good listener” who “set the vision in our diocese.” He prayed that Archbishop Myers “continue to preside in the place of Christ over his flock as a true shepherd.”

Archbishop Myers’ silver jubilee as a bishop will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Newark with a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Editor’s note: Congratulatory cards and notes may be sent to Archbishop Myers in care of the Archdiocesan Center, 171 Clifton Ave., PO Box 9500, Newark, N.J., 07104-9500.