March 8, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This past Valentine’s Day, I was returning from Naples, Florida after a terrific dinner gathering of Catholics from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who live there. They were members of our Campanile Society. It was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the wonderful accomplishments achieved by our archdiocese due in part to the generosity of our donors.
I felt my gut to be a little off, but I thought it nothing to worry about. The next day, the discomfort increased, but I was still able to get through my schedule. However, by Wednesday I could keep nothing down – the intestines were wide open.
That Thursday I was meeting with Frs. John Hemsing and Luke Strand concerning seminary issues. About halfway through the meeting, I stood up, excused myself and said I am not feeling well. I made it to the stairs and collapsed. Both good priests rushed to my side and assisted me into a chair. Joanne Merriner, who is responsible for the care of the residence, said we must call the EMTs. It was difficult to determine; was it a heart event? The EMTs arrived and administered assistance. Fr. John Burns came from the seminary with the oils and anointed me. I admit – that was a great comfort. All those present determined that it was best if I go to the hospital.
Arriving at Columbia St. Mary’s emergency room, IVs were started. They decided to keep me at least overnight to determine a diagnosis, but that was a problem: I did not have time to be sick. I was scheduled that afternoon to meet with the Bishops of Wisconsin and I already had scheduled meetings the next few days. It was inconceivable to me that anything would prevent me from meeting my obligations. I am sure God has a way of laughing at us. I, or sometimes “we,” believe that “we” are irreplaceable. No one can do my job! But the truth is that many can do my job, and far better. There is a saying that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
I am blessed to have two great auxiliary bishops and the best executive staff of any diocese or archdiocese in the country. So much to my chagrin, my absence created no problem, and everyone filled in admirably. The second day, the hospital staff determined that I was suffering from Norovirus, a nasty bug that effects the intestines, is highly contagious and causes severe dehydration. It is common among those who have been on cruise ships. Just my luck, I get the consequences of a cruise virus without the fun of a cruise – no shuffleboard, swimming pool or lounge chairs! Fr. Jim Lobacz, who accompanied me to Florida, posited that perhaps I encountered someone who was on a cruise when we were boarding our return flight at Fort Meyers Airport.
Today, I am currently about 80% back to normal. Hopefully in another week, I will be back to playing weight. I am not contagious. However, if I did not follow the advice of those assisting me, I would have met with the other bishops of Wisconsin and I am sure they would not have appreciated my gift of Norovirus – especially if they were not on a cruise.
I have not lost that desire to fulfill my commitments, but God’s lesson was to not believe myself indispensable. We need to be attentive to our physical health but even more so to our spiritual health. During Lent, let us seek reconciliation, do good works, and pray always. Only God is indispensable, so we will follow His command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
