Archbishop Lori says it’s been ten quick years

Note: This is part of a package of editorial content celebrating the 10th anniversary of Archbishop
William. E. Lori’s installation as archbishop of Baltimore and the 45th anniversary of his priestly
ordination. Read all the stories here.

It seems like only yesterday that I walked into a packed Cathedral of Mary Our Queen to be installed as
the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore. Memories from that day flood my mind and heart as I give thanks to
God and to the Church for calling me to serve the Premier See.

I think especially of my parents – my dear father, Francis, who went home to the Lord more than two
years ago, and my mother, Margaret, who is now 102 years old, and whom I call almost every evening.
Nine cardinals attended my installation back in 2012, and as they departed, each one of them stopped
and gave my mom a kiss. At dinner that evening mom said, “I never dreamt I’d be kissed by so many
cardinals!”

I also remember gratefully my Aunt Freda, my father’s sister, who organized a bus that travelled from
New Albany, Ind., to Baltimore. The bus carried a number of my cousins as well as family friends. Aunt
Freda remains in close touch with me. She has always been the family organizer.

Present that day were many friends and parishioners from Connecticut and the Washington area, places
where I previously served. As I greeted them before and after Mass, I felt a little like a contestant on the
old television show, “This Is Your Life.” That evening, before my head hit the pillow, I gave thanks to God
for the wonderful family members, classmates, friends and co-workers who have inspired, supported,
and strengthened me along the way.

Ten years may seem like a long time, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. For one thing, as I grow older,
time seems to pass faster. But the main reason time has passed so quickly is that I have been happily
engaged in leading and serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Thus, it’s been a quick 10 years.
This is not to suggest that these years have been problem-free; they have not. But there is no form of
service, worthy of the name, that exempts us from challenges, problems and yes, a few heartaches. This
is especially true of service in the Church. After all, we are supposed to be following Christ and that
means picking up our Cross – not grudgingly, but joyfully. In fact, it is in the midst of challenges that
ministry is done and good things are accomplished.

Yet, no accomplishments are possible without the grace of God and without good co-workers. I would
like to pay tribute to the Auxiliary Bishops with whom I have served: Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St.
Louis, Bishop Denis Madden, Bishop Adam Parker, Bishop Mark Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston, and
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski. They have been towers of strength and fonts of wisdom.

I also want to thank wholeheartedly the priests of the Archdiocese with whom I am privileged to serve.
Along the way, I have come to understand something of the sacrifices you make in your daily ministry
and something of the challenges you face. I thank you, together with the dedicated deacons of the
Archdiocese and their families. Your spirit of service touches many lives with the charity of the Lord
Jesus!

I’m also thankful for the witness of women and men religious throughout the Archdiocese.
Let me also offer a word of deepest appreciation to the members of the laity who work side by side with
me daily, and to the many parishioners I have come to know over the past decade. So many of you,
more than I could ever count, share your faith as well as your God-given talents and gifts so generously
with this local Church.

Thank you for these past 10 years. May God bless you and keep you always in his love!

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