It has been 25 years since Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s installation Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington March 25, 1999. The sudden passing of Bishop John Keating in 1998 led to Pope John Paul II assigning Bishop Loverde from the Diocese of Ogdensburg, N.Y., as the third bishop of the growing diocese.
“You go where God wants you to go,” said Bishop Loverde. “I knew God would help me. So, there was joy at coming to a new appointment, but also a tinge of sadness and a sense of challenge.”
Father Bob Cilinski, pastor of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, attended the installation Mass.
“The cathedral was filled with excitement and hope for a new beginning,” said Father Cilinski. “Bishop Loverde led an evening prayer the day before asking for all to pray for him. He also thanked Msgr. James W. McMurtrie who served in the interim. He struck me as someone who wanted to do something in this new and growing diocese. We all want to make a difference and it was very relatable to us.”
The trumpets and fanfare from that day might be long past, but the words from Bishop Loverde’s homily still ring true.
“The whole of Christian life is like a great pilgrimage to the house of the Father,” said Bishop Loverde from the cathedral’s ambo. “We are on that pilgrimage, beginning today in the diocesan church a renewed expression of evangelization, reconciliation, unity and service.”
The imagery was fitting for the diocese because soon after he led a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome.
“It was one of the first things we asked him to do,” said Father Robert Rippy, diocesan judicial vicar.
One of the most memorable moments for Father Rippy was the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Here we were at Mass with all the pilgrims and our newly installed bishop there. We were there at the center of our Catholicism in unity with the Holy Father. It was the perfect place for that.”
Back in Arlington, the new bishop’s drive continued to impress Father Rippy who said, “He hit the road running.”
The next 17 years would see the bishop listening and working with the clergy and faithful to take advantage of the diocese’s resources.
“While we need these tangible things, it is all related to increasing the faith of the people who are in need in different ways. St. John Vianney had a prayer, ‘Lord make me holy and make my parish holy’ and that was my prayer when I came here. The 25 years have been wonderful here, which is why I decided to stay. This has become like home.”
In 2016, Bishop Loverde welcomed Bishop Michael F. Burbidge to the diocese as the fourth bishop of Arlington. In retirement, he continues to assist Bishop Burbidge and the diocese by assisting with confirmations and visiting parishes.
“On the occasion of Bishop Loverde’s 25th anniversary of being installed as the bishop of Arlington, we express renewed thanks to God for sending us such a holy, faithful and compassionate shepherd,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We are ever grateful to Bishop Loverde for his generous service throughout his tenure and for the many ways he continues to reflect the love of Christ to us in both word and deed. I express profound thanks to Bishop Loverde for his fraternal support, constant encouragement and, most especially, for the gift of his friendship.”
Looking back on his ministry in the diocese, Bishop Loverde sees a parallel between his journey and the Diocesan Golden Jubilee.
“Bishop Burbidge has chosen for the preparation of our jubilee to remember, rejoice and renew,” said Bishop Loverde. “That is a way to sum it up even for me. I remember coming and all the joys and challenges that lay before me. I rejoice in what I was able to do with the help of God’s people. No bishop does it by himself.
“We can rejoice in what has happened,” he said. “We can renew our own commitment wherever we are and then renew the great vision with the bishop on what is to happen.”
Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
