Join Archbishop Lori this Sunday, July 13 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen at 3pm for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the ministry of Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, who will be installed next month as the new Bishop of Springfield Mass.
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This week we take a look back at just a few of the events in the life of our own Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski in anticipation of the Mass this Sunday, July 13, to honor his years of service here in his home diocese. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mitchell as the new head of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts on June 19.
Bishop Mitch responded to this papal appointment with his usual grace and humility:
“It is with deep gratitude to almighty God, to His Holiness, Pope Francis, and to our papal nuncio, Archbishop Vigano, that I accept His Holiness’ appointment to be the bishop of Springfield, Mass… I will remain forever grateful for the privilege to have ministered as priest and bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for nearly 30 years. The formation and guidance that I have received from the dedicated archbishops, bishops, priests, religious men and women and laity of this wonderful Church leave me humbled yet hope-filled in answering the call to be bishop of Springfield…
As we are united in our faith, let us be faithfully united in prayer for one another.”
Bishop Rozanski, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1984 and consecrated as auxiliary bishop of Baltimore in 2004, will follow newly-retired Bishop Timothy McDonnell, 76, as the ninth Bishop of Springfield.
(Photo Archdiocese of Baltimore)
A festive gathering of bishops from the Premier See: From left: Bishop Denis Madden, Bishop W. Francis Malooly, Archbishop William Borders, Cardinal William Keeler, Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Bishop William Newman, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski.
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(Photo George P. Matysek Jr./ CR Staff)
Bishop Rozanski celebrated Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious, home of the famous “Infant of Prague” statue, during the June, 2011 pilgrimage to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
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(Photo CNS/Paul Haring)
Bishop of Wilmington W. Francis Malooly (left) meets with former colleague, Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, before the opening of January 18, 2012 meeting at the Vatican. Gathered in Rome for “ad limina” visits to report on the status of their dioceses were bishops from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services, and from the Virgin Islands.
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Bishop Rozanski prays with the participants and staff members of the High School Leadership Institute at the Msgr. O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks on July 27, 2012.
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Baltimore-area Sister-jubilarians are honored by Bishop Rozanski (far left), Cardinal O’Brien (center), and Bishop Madden (far right) after a celebratory Mass in the summer of 2012.
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(Photo Baltimore Sun / Noah Scialom)
Bishop Rozanski, assisted by seminarian Josh Laws, blessed the new media center at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in September, 2013.
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Bishop Rozanski blesses the new Science Lab at St. Mary’s School, Hagerstown.
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(Photo Baltimore Sun / Karl Merton Ferron)
Marking the start of the Lenten Season at the Ash Wednesday Vigil Mass on March 4, 2014 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
From left: Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Deacon Charlie Hiebler, Archbishop William E. Lori (front), Fr. Joseph Marcello (at back), and Bishop Denis J. Madden.
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(Photo CNS/Catholic Review/Tom McCarthy Jr.)
Gathering before the Mass to kick off this year’s Fortnight for Freedom Mass on June 21 at the Baltimore Basilica.
From left: Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Denis Madden; Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services; Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, an auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and bishop-elect of Springfield, Mass.; and Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley.
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(Photo Johanna Coughlin)
Bishop Rozanski celebrates Mass at St. John the Evangelist on July 4 to close the Fortnight for Freedom here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
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Bishop Mitch, we send you off to Springfield with our love and grateful prayers.
You will always be in our hearts here in your hometown of Baltimore!!
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Read more about Bishop Rozanski’s new assignment as we wish him farewell: