Remarks by The Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, D.D.
On His Episcopal Ordination as
Titular Bishop of Jamestown and
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark

The cure of the paralytic in St. Mark’s Gospel has been a favorite passage of mine. St. Mark clearly states that four men brought the paralytic to Jesus. Through my priestly years, I have often used this text to express the ways that four groups of people have often brought me to a loving embrace of Jesus.

Thomas Merton once wrote: “My Lord, God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. I know that you will lead me by the right road and I trust you always, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Little did I know the road that I would take as I made a response to my second grade teacher, Sr. Jeanette, that I was going to be a priest when I grew up. That journey began from the seeds of faith planted within me by my mom and dad and my sisters and brothers, united with the neighborhood that was Holy Rosary Parish. For those of you who gather with me and my family today, may you receive the blessings of family life that may create the living bonds of faith to walk the walk with Christ.

Pope John XXIII, when leaving Bulgaria to become the Patriarch of Venice, said, “At my window a light will be burning. All may come in, the arms of a friend will always be waiting.”

These words have enabled me to move from one parish to another as I responded to the diocesan call to minister to people in the different counties of our Archdiocese. To those of you who share this special day with me, I pray that our friendship may grow stronger and deeper as we minister and embrace the needs of all God’s people. May Blessed Pope John XXIII, who convened the Second Vatican Council, give us the courage to accept the challenge and excitement of a pilgrim people always on the move.

Reflecting on the idea of commitment I recall the words of Dag Hammerskjold in his book Markings: “At some moment I did answer yes to someone and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that my life in self surrender had a goal.”

This past year of my life as Spiritual Director at Immaculate Conception Seminary was a year filled with many unforeseen blessings. My priestly life took on another meaning of existence as I realize that, in helping men in their formation in priestly ministry, I have to remember that I am called not to be successful but faithful to the call, no matter what the cost of discipleship.

To the seminarians and faculty at ICS, I pray that God may give you the grace of complete surrender so that all that you give in response to your priestly call will always bring you to an enriching life with our loving God.

John Vianney, whose feast we celebrate today, was a man with a simple vision. He wanted to become a priest. A man with such a simple vision had to overcome obstacles and perform deeds that would seem impossible by today’s standards. John Vianney once wrote: “Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there. If you set it on fire, it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; for public prayer is like that.” Today you have joined me in this public prayer to give thanks and praise to our God of compassion.

In the spirit of thanksgiving, I wish to express my gratitude to Pope John Paul II for appointing me Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. May his courage and prayerful attitude be always a source of strength for him in his papal duties.

To Archbishop Myers, I express my humble thanks for placing a trust in me. May God grant you wisdom to bring our Church of Newark further into the third millennium.

To the priests of the Presbyterate of Newark, my gratitude to you for your endorsement of my appointment. May our lives always be patterned after the Compassionate Heart of Christ.

To the Cardinals, especially Cardinal McCarrick, and to Archbishop Gerety, whose guidance during his tenure with us,

To Bishop Saltarelli and Bishop Serratelli, our co-ordaining bishops, whose friendship and support are very much appreciated,

To all the bishops and abbots in attendance today,

To all the Deacons, Religious, relatives and friends,

For all your loving support, my heart is filled with joy and I say a simple “thank you” for sharing this day with me. May all of you be touched with the warmth of God’s love and peace

2004 News Releases