St Bernards High School - Bernardian Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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Shepherds of the Flock Jesus Christ established His Holy Church by sending forth the apostles, first to the children of Israel and then to allnations. He willed that their successors, namely the bishops, should be shepherds in His Church. He placed Peter over the other apostles, thus authorizing the sacred primacy of the Roman Pontiff. The apostles were fully confirmed in their mission on the day of Pentecost, with the coming of the Holy Spirit. By everywhere preaching the gospel, the apostles gathered together the universal Church. In order that the mission assigned to them by Christ might continued after their death, they passed on to others the duty of attending to the flock in which the Holy Spirit placed them to shepherd the Church of God. They, therefore, appointed such men and authorized the arrangement that when these men should have died, other approved men should take up their ministry. Through those who were appointed bishops by the apostles and through their successors, down to our own time, the apostolic tradition is manifested throughout the world. The individual bishops exercise their pastoral government over the portion of the People of God committed to their care. But each of them is obliged by Christ’s command to have a universal outlook and to be solicitous for the whole Church. With all their energy, they must supply to the missions not only workers but also spiritual and material aid. They should gladly extend their fraternal aid to other church and should give relief in disasters. Bishops are endowed with the authority of Christ to preach to the people com- mitted to them the faith they must believe and put into practice. In matters of faith and morals, the bishops speak in the name of Christ, and the faithful are to accept this teaching. This authority is even more closely verified when, gathered together in an ecumenical council, bishops are teachers and judges of faith and morals for the universal Church. The infallibility promised to the Church resides not only in the Roman Pontiff but alsoin the body of bishops when that body exercises supreme teaching authority with the successor of Peter. By praying and laboring for the people, bishops channel the fulness of Christ’s holiness. By the ministry of the word they communicate God’s power to those who believe unto salvation. Through the sacraments, they sanctify the faithful. They earnestly instruct their people to carry out their part in the liturgy and especially in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Finally, by the example of their manner of life, they are an influence for good on those over whom they preside. Thus, together with the flock committed to their care, they can arrive at eternal life. A bishop keeps before his eyes the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to lay down His life for His sheep. Centuries ago, St. Augustine said to his people: ‘For you, I am a bishop, but with you I am a Christian. The first is an office accepted, the second a grace received; one a danger, the other safety. If, then, I am gladder by far to be redeemed with you than I am to be placed over you, I shall, as the Lord commanded, be more completely your servant.” The Documents of Vatican II — Bishops

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FLANAGAN, D. D. His Excellency Bishop of Worcester MOST REVEREND BERNARD J.

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16) REVEREND JOHN D. THOMAS Superintendent of Schools Diocese of Worcester