SUMMER 2012
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES , USA
“Celebration of Life” BISHOP JOSEPH W. ESTABROOK Born into Eternal Life: 4 February 2012
Dear Friends of the Archdiocese for the Military Services,
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s you know, on February 4th, the Lord called the Most Reverend Joseph Estabrook back home to Him. As he wished, his funeral Mass was held at Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria, Virginia and he was buried in Calvary Cemetery after a Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Albany, New York, his home diocese. In the last issue of Salute I published his final article in which he touchingly told us about his illness and his preparations for this journey home. I am pleased to dedicate the current edition of the Archdiocesan quarterly to him.
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uring the pastoral visitations since his passing from this life, so many people have remembered him. Chaplains of all faiths have praised the mentoring he gave them. Catholic communities have recounted details of his visits. The priests have mentioned how they miss him, how he inspired them, or how much he helped them grow in their ministry. There is no question that the Auxiliary Bishops and I have already experienced his absence—not only because our schedules are fuller, but also and, especially, because his counsel is no longer there in the same way.
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n April 10th another chaplain with Episcopal Orders departed this life. Luis Cardinal Aponte, Archbishop-emeritus of San Juan in Puerto Rico, never forgot his stint as a National Guard Chaplain. May he rest in peace.
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ummer traditionally offers a time of rest and renewal for all of us. Vacations are planned and the pace slows down—at least a bit. However, the men and women who serve this country continue to be vigilant so as to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Troops are still deploying and families are keeping vigil. The Archdiocese continues to strive to be at the service of those who serve. This summer I will visit the co-located Chaplain Schools at Fort Jackson and the new students who will be arriving at the Naval Academy. As they begin their association with their new archdiocese, I try to assure them that the staff of this unique Archdiocese is on hand and eager to minister to them.
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hope that you will enjoy this special issue. Thanking you for your continued support, I wish you a restful summer. Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio Archbishop
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA VOLUME 6. NUMBER 2 SUMMER 2012
TABLE of CONTENTS 4 An Evangelizer Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
8 A Courageous Holy Man Bishop Richard B. Higgins
12 Heroic Shepherd with a Global Ministry Bishop Neal Buckon
14 A Walk with Bishop Joe Bishop F. Richard Spencer
28 A Father’s Mission “Pay it Forward Son” Vincent Ambrosettti
35 Homily for the Funeral of “Bishop Joseph Estabrook” Set Out into the Deep
Embrace all of life with love. Accept both the joy and the pain that each day brings. Unite yourself with the day’s suffering, but let joy be the victor. As a branch is one with the vine, be one with the crucified Christ, who began his journey with the poverty of Bethlehem. Walk your journey faithfully with Him so that, through you, all may experience the fruits of His resurrection.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA publishes SALUTE for the nation’s bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and financial supporters of the Archdiocese. ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send title, name, address, and phone number to: support@milarch.org or call: 202-719-3600 or write: Development Office, Archdiocese for
the Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C. 20017-0469
SUMMER 2012
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES , USA
“Celebration of Life” BISHOP JOSEPH W. ESTABROOK Born into Eternal Life: 4 February 2012
Feedback, letters to the editor: editor@milarch.org Website: www.milarch.org ON THE COVER: Most Reverend Joseph W. Estabrook © Bachrach Photography ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO President
MONSIGNOR FRANK A. PUGLIESE Editorial Director
JO ANN REDMOND Editor
ERIC NEUNER | RPISTUDIOS Design Director
© 2012 - A PUBLICATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA - SERVING CATHOLICS IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD,VA MEDICAL CENTERS, AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES OVERSEAS.
By ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
An Evangelizer
BISHOP ESTABROOK KISSING HIS MOTHER AFTER HIS EPISCOPAL ORDINATION 3 JULY 2004 AT THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
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ssociations in the Church are unique. I remember on 1 May 1984 when I learned that my father was dying and that, if I wanted to see him again, it would be a good idea to come home. At that moment I was the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Ivory Coast (West Africa). As I walked the “bridge” over to the Nuncio’s suite, I thought, this is the greatest tragedy I have faced in my thirty-two years of life and I am about to discuss it with a man unknown to me ten months ago. / 4 S U M M E R 2 0 12
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lmighty God in His providence provided a truly human Superior who recognized my plight and bent over backward to get me back to Cleveland in time.
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unday night 18 November 2007, two bishops awaited me at Dulles Airport. I had never met them before, but had seen their pictures on the AMS website. The welcome was warm and an association with Bishops Higgins and Estabrook began. Little did I imagine that less than five years later I would preside at the latter’s funeral.
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have often said that Bishop Estabrook taught us both how to live and how to die. He was to the core of his being an evangelizer. He never missed an opportunity to share his faith: from the security people at airports to the fourteen-year olds waiting to be confirmed. If you met Joseph Estabrook, you knew that he believed in Jesus Christ and wanted to help you believe, as well.
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is was the idea that I should hit the ground running and begin my first pastoral visit just a few hours after being installed as the fourth Archbishop for the Military Services. Indeed that visit to the Air Force Academy with its 10th Wing, Fort Carson, and Peterson Air Force Base remains etched in my memory. We arrived on Saturday in time for lunch with Bishop Michael Sheridan and the chaplains and deacons. He was careful to respect my space and prerogatives.
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hen he disappeared to continue his endless rounds of pastoral visitation. He often remarked that you could be exhausted, but when you arrived to visit a community, their faith and enthusiasm fortified you so that you forgot the fatigue. I have discovered that it is true. The good people give us so much more than we can possibly offer to them.
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he nature of military and VA ministry and the extension of our pastoral responsibilities meant that Bishop Estabrook and I did not often see one another. Outside of the scheduled AMS bishops’ meetings, the USCCB General Assembly, and the annual fundraiser, our paths did not often cross. Occasionally, he would arrive unexpectedly here in Washington and it was always good to see him.
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owever, our contacts by e-mail were frequent. You could always count on him to have an opinion, a response to a problem, an idea or an initiative. He will continue to live on in Why Catholic?, the impetus for the renewed Vocations program, and his zeal for whatever deepened the thrust of evangelization efforts. His profound love of the priesthood and of the Navy Chaplaincy was evident in everything he did.
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e always had a book to recommend and wanted to know what you were reading. I lent him a number of books by Cardinal Martini. He returned them, but we never had an opportunity to tell me what he thought about them. (continued on page 38) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Story and Photos by KATIE BAHR | Catholic Herald Staff Writer Reprinted with permission from the Catholic Herald
‘Until next time’ A crowd of priests, bishops and military gather to pay their respects to Bishop Joseph Estabrook.
AMONG THOSE AT THE FUNERAL CAN BE SEEN: FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: BISHOPS HIGGINS AND LOVERDE AND CARDINAL O'BRIEN. BACK ROW: BISHOPS SPENCER, BUCKON, AND HUBBARD
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undreds gathered to pay their respects on Friday 10 February for Auxiliary Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. After a long illness, Bishop Estabrook died February 4 in Houston. He was 67 years old.
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ABOVE LEFT: FRIENDS EXAMINE PICTURES DOCUMENTING THE LIFE OF AUXILIARY BISHOP JOSEPH W. ESTABROOK, FOLLOWING HIS FUNERAL AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA. ABOVE RIGHT FATHER ED CONDON, A RETIRED NAVY CHAPLAIN FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON, GIVES THE HOMILY AT A FUNERAL MASS AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA.
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he funeral Mass took place at Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria, Virginia where Bishop Estabrook had resided for eight years. Among those in attendance at the funeral Mass were Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, local Catholics, members of the military, more than 40 priests, 10 bishops and archbishops from around the country and Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C. The celebrant of the Mass was the Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA. Father Ed Condon, a retired navy chaplain from the Boston Archdiocese, was homilist.
During his homily, Father Condon said Bishop Estabrook had a sense of adventure, lived by the motto, “Set out into the Deep,” and was never reluctant to bring the word of God to everyone he met. According to Father Condon, the three hallmarks of Bishop Estabrook’s ministry were the work he did to bring others to Christ, the love he had for all the people in his life and his deep and personal spirituality. Bishop Estabrook’s death was a “heavy loss,” said Father Condon, but the funeral also was an occasion to give thanks. “We’re here also to thank God for his ministry to us all,” he said. “May Bishop Joe rest in the arms of a loving God for all eternity.” After Mass, Mike and Joey Estabrook, nephews of Bishop Estabrook,
paid their respects to their “Uncle Joe.” (See articles pages 33 and 34 respectively.) Mike said he would always remember his uncle’s final words to him, “See you later,” accompanied by a wink that exemplified all he was — a man who was honest, loving and full of humor. Joey added to the sentiment saying he took comfort in the fact that the family would be reunited in heaven. “This isn’t goodbye. This is, ‘Until next time,’” he said. A memorial Mass took place on Saturday 11 February at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, N.Y., followed by interment with military honors at Calvary Cemetery. > Katie Bahr can be reached at kbahr@catholicherald.com S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook
A COURAGEOUS AND HOLY MAN By BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS
BISHOP HIGGINS AND BISHOP ESTABROOK OUTSIDE THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FOLLOWING THEIR EPISCOPAL ORDINATION 3 JULY 2004.
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he text message arrived at 5:31 am on 4 February. It was from Bishop Joe’s brother Tim and I suspected it was not good news...” Mary Ann, Giselle and I just finished saying the rosary at Joe’s bedside. We then recited Psalm 139, Joe’s favorite. Joe had by his bedside a small handwritten card which he had labeled “7 LAST WORDS ON CROSS” We read aloud the words Joe had written. Shortly after Giselle read “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” Joe breathed his last breath. 4:14 am. My colleague and good friend had finished his race and had been called home by a loving Father who had gifted us with an extraordinary man.
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first met then Chaplain Estabrook when we were both stationed in Hawaii back in the late 90s. He was the PACOM (Pacific Command) chaplain up at Camp Smith and I was the PACAF (Pacific Air Forces) Command Chaplain at Hickam AFB. The seasoned Navy chaplain was all business… an intense, direct, “cut to the chase” no-nonsense kind of guy and I figured we could do business together. Little did I know that 14 years later we would have many an opportunity!
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e got the same phone call from the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo in the spring of 2004. “The Holy Father has appointed you titular bishop of… Will you accept the appointment? Caught off-guard Joe asked for some time to pray about it. Archbishop Montalvo’s response remains a classic… “Ah, the Holy Father… he already prayed about it!”
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ike mine, Bishop Joe’s retirement plans disappeared in an instant. He was pastor to the Marines at Kaneohe Bay and was looking forward to retiring in his beloved Hawaii and accepting a contract to continue serving his Marines. But the Lord had other plans. Now he was facing an early retirement and a move to Washington, DC. He tried to sneak out of K-Bay but the Commanding General would have none of it. I am told the conversation went something like”… chaplain, there’s no way you’re sneaking off this station. You’re getting a parade, and what part of that don’t you understand?” Retirement parades are reserved for exceptional members of the military and are an honor bestowed on a very few outstanding and singularly distinguished service personnel. They are an indication of the measure of a man or woman.
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ishop Joe and I held our retirement ceremonies a day apart…he on 17 June 2004 at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay and I on 18 June at the United States Air Force Academy. We made it to DC just in time for our ordination as bishops in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The transition to civilian life was compressed and while the ordination ceremony and subsequent celebrations were truly memorable. Bishop Joe and I had to watch the DVD later to make sure we were both there!
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oth Bishop Joe and I were warmly welcomed by the staff at the archdiocese and settled in to our leased office space at Theological College across from the National Shrine.
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he then Archbishop (Cardinal) O’Brien asked Bishop Joe if he would work with the youth and young adult members of the archdiocese, develop and implement some dynamic programs that would be relevant and challenging to singles in uniform. “Oh, and while you’re at it why don’t you see what we can do about vocations” became an additional tasking!
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hile I went about figuring out what to do with my assignment as Vicar (continued on page 10) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook
A COURAGEOUS AND HOLY MAN for Veterans Affairs, Bishop Joe charged ahead looking for what might be out there that he could tweak or adapt to the military setting. Pretty soon I discovered that Bishop Joe and Dr. Mark Moitoza were negotiating with RENEW International and Sister Maureen Colleary and shortly thereafter the AMS launched “Catholics Seeking Christ” and “Why Catholic?” targeting young adults in the military. Implementation of these programs required extensive team training and travel and Bishop Joe tackled both with his usual inexhaustible energy.
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bout that time Bishop Joe took up residence at Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente, California and assumed pastoral responsibilities for the military installations west of the Mississippi. Of course “west of the Mississippi” included his beloved Hawaii and Alaska and he was known to slip away from time to time to his condo on Oahu to spend some time scuba diving and walking the beach with his favorite canine “Ginger.” I’m told old sailors need a little salt every now and then! Bishop Joe loved the Pacific and whenever it came his turn to take the European circuit it would only be a matter of time when he would come to cut a deal… “Hey, Dick, want to do Europe?”
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voracious reader, he devoured books and early in his Episcopal ministry developed a suggested reading list for his Navy colleagues. Time spent in airport terminals was never lost on this servant
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(continued from page 9)
of the Lord. Bishop Joe was always concerned about priestly morale and “ops tempo” among the chaplains he encountered. He often remarked to me how challenging it was for Air Force priests in particular whose assignments often meant the closest confrere might be three to four hundred miles away. He made a point of gathering the priests in areas he visited and was renowned for his love of, and joy in the priesthood.
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bout 18 months ago I noticed Bishop Joe was having some health issues. He worked out daily but he appeared to be losing weight and his color was off. When I asked if he was OK he told me he was having trouble with his numbers! “Numbers, Joe… what numbers?” It was then I learned about the tumor on his pancreas and the visits to Bethesda. “They’re working with me Dick. They think they can get it all. I’m OK with that, and if they can’t get it all I’m OK with that too!”
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ell, I was not OK with it and I am still dealing with it. Over the years I have lost a number of friends to pancreatic cancer and here is my colleague and good friend telling me he is stricken. I know the stats and they are not great. With the concurrence of his physicians at Bethesda Bishop Joe moved to Houston to live with his wonderful brother Tim and his family and receive treatment at the renowned MD Anderson Medical Center.
KANEOHE CHAPEL, MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII
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t first it looked like the good folks at MD Anderson would be able to contain the disease and Bishop Joe went back out in the field for a few pastoral visits. But, despite the best efforts of the MD Anderson teams the disease prevailed.
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knew Bishop Joe was deeply spiritual with an intense devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and in his last few weeks he took a final pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady in Mexico City. He shared this experience with us in the extraordinary piece he wrote for the last issue of Salute. Sensing the end was near he flew to DC to say farewell to his beloved mother, his sister Mary Ann and her family and the parishioners of Good Shepherd parish in Alexandria, Virginia, a community Bishop Joe had adopted from his days when he served in the office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains.
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dashed down to Houston between Christmas and New Year’s for my final visit with my colleague. Tim and Giselle
were moving him that day to an apartment closer to the Medical Center and together we toured the facilities of the condominium complex that would be Bishop Joe’s final residence. He marveled at the fitness center and equipment available to residents of the complex. The following day I was privileged to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick with Bishop Joe as he explained the ritual to his family. We retired to his room where we talked about Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the late Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago and Archbishop Thomas Murphy, the late Archbishop of Seattle, both of whom displayed extraordinary heroism and character as they battled debilitating and fatal illnesses. We talked about the archdiocese and the great people we had been privileged to serve, the success of “Why Catholic” and “Catholics Seeking Christ,” the vocations initiative and our shared experiences as bishops. I asked if I could pray with him. Placing my hands on his head as he clutched a tiny brass crucifix, I asked (continued on page 23) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook
Heroic Shepherd with a Global Ministry ——— By BISHOP NEAL BUCKON ———
BISHOP ESTABROOK WITH CONFIRMANDI AT MARINE MEMORIAL CHAPEL KOREA 2010
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first met Bishop Joseph Estabrook in Cologne, Germany in August, 2005 during World Youth Day. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA had an afternoon program for the youth of the Archdiocese at the Maritime Hotel in the downtown center of Cologne. He was standing by himself and enjoying a snack while observing the planned activities of the day. I walked up to him and introduced myself as the Army’s Catholic Chaplain for the Garrison in Heidelberg, Germany. Bishop Estabrook smiled and shook my hand. I know now that it was at that moment I gained a mentor in ministry and friend for life.
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ishop Estabrook returned to Germany in the spring of 2006 to visit the Catholic faithful at the military installations and celebrate Confirmation Masses. He arrived in Heidelberg full of energy and enthusiasm where he was received as a “Prince of the Church” by the Chapel community. His ministerial presence stirred up the faith of people of all ages. Evangelization came naturally to Bishop Joe. One evening we went to a “gasthaus” (restaurant) on the “Hauptstrasse” (main street) of Heidelberg and during our dinner conversation it was very clear to me that Bishop Joe’s love for Jesus Christ and for His Church was the passion of his life. His witness to Christ inspired me as well.
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y follow-on assignment took me to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It was not long before the good news was announced: Bishop Estabrook was scheduled to visit Fort Sill in the spring of 2007. Altar servers remembered the bishop’s good-natured manner and were very quick to claim the honor to serve his Masses. The candidates were also excited with the anticipation of meeting a Shepherd of the Church and finding answers to his questions. Bishop Estabrook made every Confirmation Mass a grace-filled moment for the confirmandi, their families, and the Church.
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he Army sent me to Korea in the summer of 2008 where I served as the 8th U.S. Army Chaplain for Current Operations. Bishop Estabrook arrived in February of 2010 for a 17 day pastoral visit of the Korean Peninsula. The staff of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) provided him with a brief on the current situation. Bishop Eastabrook was at one time the Navy’s Pacific Fleet Chaplain and he engaged the USFK staff as though he were a Flag Officer. His knowledge of the Theater of Operations was very impressive!
I accompanied Bishop Estabrook as he visited the United States’ Army, Navy, and Air Force Bases situated in the Republic of Korea. It truly was wonderful to see how Bishop Estabrook interacted with our catholic chaplains and contract priests. His profound concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of his brother priests was made known in the many exchanges and conversations.
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n February of 2011 Bishop Estabrook attended my episcopal ordination and assisted Archbishop Broglio in calling down the Holy Spirit upon me. It was then that I replaced him as the Vicar for the Western Vicariate of the Archdiocese for the Military Services. I had seen Bishop Estabrook effectively minister on three continents and I was quick to call or email him whenever I needed advice. The calls provided me with an opportunity to speak with him about his pancreatic cancer and the treatments that he was undergoing. I’ll always remember how heroic and pastoral Bishop Joe remained as he endured over thirty chemotherapy treatments. He demonstrated incredible faith, and maintained his Christian dignity to the end. (continued on page 38) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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A walk with
BISHOP JOE ——— By BISHOP RICHARD SPENCER ———
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first met Bishop Joe on 03 July 2004, during his Ordination to Bishop, in Washington, DC. I remember reflecting upon his motto: “Set out into the Deep” and commenting to myself that here is a true Servant of God, profoundly committed to weather all storms of life in order to be an Apostle for the Lord in today’s difficult world. Truly he was a man who embraced all of life with love – accepting both the joy and the pain that each day can bring to God’s people. My last time shared with him in person was a brisk walk in downtown in the Little Italy district of Baltimore, during the annual USCCB Conference, November, 2011. Bishop Estabrook, Bishop Buckon and I decided to share the evening together – as we went for a nice long walk, had dinner and then later walked to another location for some awesome desserts. Bishop Joe really loved his desserts especially ice cream – that night he had two desserts and double scoops of ice cream! Both Bishop Buckon and myself found ourselves walking at a fast pace to keep up with Bishop Joe – as his stride was quick. Such was his life. Always out front. Always caring and involved. Always “Setting out into the Deep”.
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pon learning that Bishop Joe was a graduate of Saint Bonaventure University, we had an instant connection – as I too, had studied at Saint Bonnies. We mutually had shared several professors during our years of education at Bonaventure. We would trade stories and philosophies about the professors and the content of their teachings. We both cherished the experience of visiting often “Merton’s Heart” –which is a small parcel of land across the river from the main campus – where Thomas Merton would frequently walk to and wander off to for private prayer and reflection.
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admired and still benefit from Bishop Joe’s contributions to AMS ministry in the domain of evangelization. He had a story to tell...and was eager to share the “Good News” with everyone he met along the journey of life.
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ishop Joe was a great communicator with a real passion and very transparent in his love for ministry with others. He was always eager to “tell the story” of salvation. Today, he lives that story in the fullness of God’s loving embrace. Bishop Joe is dearly missed. I look forward, with God’s promise, mercy and love, to join him at the Ice Cream Bar on Trinity and Apostolic Streets, Heaven. > PHOTO PAGE 14: BISHOP JOE PROCLAIMING THE "WORD" S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Most Rev. Joseph W. Estabrook
Teacher, Sanctifier, Pastor ——— By MONSIGNOR FRANK PUGLIESE ———
BISHOP JOE ADDRESSES CATHOLIC PROGRAMS IN JAPAN
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t was no wonder to anyone but Joe Estabrook that he was selected to be ordained a bishop and to serve the men and women of the Military Services of the United States. From the time I met him in the Navy Chaplain Corps until the day he died, he was always a teacher and a sanctifier with a passion for young adults in the military service. Wherever he was assigned, whether in a chapel, aboard a ship, with the Marine Corps, in the Chief’s Office, and especially in the schoolhouse, Chaplain Estabrook taught priests the uniqueness of their call to provide for the spiritual and religious needs of Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen. Not only did he teach this, he also modeled it. He cared for all, but most of all, he was a priest charged with providing for the spiritual needs of Catholics.
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uring my last tour in the Navy, Bishop Estabrook came for a pastoral visit to Marine Corps Base, Okinawa, where I was the base chaplain. As always, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation, spent time with the leaders of the command and of the Catholic Community and spent an evening with the priests on the island. During his time with the priests, he was a brother priest enjoying the fraternity so important to priestly life. Everyone knew that Joe Estabrook never believed that a chaplain is a chaplain is a chaplain. Priests were unique and necessary.
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othing, not even the meeting with the priests was more important to him than his meeting with the young adult Sailors, Marines and Airmen. He opened up his DV quarters, enlisted the aid of some retirees from the chapel community to cook and spent the evening with over 35 young adults teaching them, forming them and getting them excited about speaking about and witnessing to their faith not only to each other, but to whomever would listen.
and Marines in the chapel. I saw again the lesson that Father Estabrook had always taught priest– chaplains – that the primary goal of the military chaplain – no matter what his rank or job title—is to care for the faithful, especially the young adults.
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ishop Estabrook was my brother priest, colleague in ministry, my mentor, model, and most of all my friend. He taught and reinforced in me the unique dignity of the Catholic priest and he effects of that meeting were long the need for priests, even then, in the Sea lasting on Okinawa. That group of Services so that the young Catholics we young people formed a bond that did not served would grow stronger in their faith. break even when some of them were can attest that, though he is no longer reassigned. Their dynamism brought among us physically, he is still among life to the worshipping community. The us in me and in the many whom he retirees who prepared the meal that trained by example to be pastors of souls, night were more than ever convinced teaching and feeding the faithful of the that their role was to support the faith Archdiocese of the Military Services. > and worship of the active duty Sailors
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“The bishops themselves, however, having been appointed by the Holy Spirit, are successors of the Apostles as pastors of souls…. Christ gave the Apostles and their successors the command and the power to teach all nations, to hallow men in the truth, and to feed them.” [“CHRISTUS DOMINUS” – VATICAN II DECREE ON THE PASTORAL OFFICE OF BISHOPS]
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ENTHUSIASTIC DISCIPLE ——— By MARK MOITOZA, D.MIN. ———
BISHOP ESTABROOK WORKING WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS.
or seven years I had the privilege to collaborate with Bishop Joseph Estabrook while he served the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. On several occasions I also had the opportunity to travel with him. Traveling was always an adventure as our conversations often kept me from paying attention to the road directions, and we would inevitably get lost. I would blame my driving skills, however, we would get lost when he was behind the wheel too. As I made my way to Bishop Estabrook’s funeral in Alexandria, VA I found myself lost again as I tried to find Good Shepherd Catholic Church. While turning the car around several times through various small neighborhood roads I could hear his voice laughing and saying, “Here we go again.”
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uring an excursion to World Youth Day 2008 in Australia, where Bishop Estabrook served as one of the bishop catechists for the catechetical days, I had the compounded challenge of driving on the opposite side of the road. Each day we found ourselves at a different church in a new town on the outskirts of Sydney. In true military form we made advance trips the day prior to figure out the directions to ensure that he would arrive on time. With our previous track record we knew this was rather important. With the Australian accent on the GPS I kept hearing the words, “Take a left on Graham.” I thought to myself, how many streets in Australia are called Graham Street? I finally asked the question out loud only to hear Bishop Estabrook translate that the GPS was actually saying,“Take a left on ramp.”
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ach morning, during World Youth Day, I would get up and go for a walk. Upon my return Bishop Estabrook would have already prayed the Office of the Readings. Our morning discussion would start with some new insight, surprise, or realization that inspired him from his prayer. One morning he was laughing at what the conversation of the disciples must have been like. I thought to myself, how wonderful it was that after years and years of praying these readings that Bishop Estabrook continued to be inspired in ways that encouraged his own discipleship. It was this discipline of prayer that, through the Holy Spirit, enlivened his enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel. Each day those morning reflections became deeply connected to his previously prepared talks. They continued to come alive in his answers to questions posed by young people.
that he would turn it around to ask, “Well, what do you think?” He did this with confirmation candidates, active duty young adults, committee meeting participants, and priest-chaplains. He liked encouraging others to reflect critically, and he would always follow up with an answer that encouraged the questioner’s response while at the same time helped them to see more clearly what the Church taught and believed.
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ishop Estabrook often reminded those gathered for Mass that they were together in a place charged with God’s grandeur. This was a reference to a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem which served as a reminder that no matter what was going on in their lives that we all had glimpses of joy through God’s love and the hope of life everlasting. Bishop Estabrook’s homilies reminded us that we too were to be ishop Estabrook wanted to know what delighted in God’s word even when it other people thought. There were challenged us to trust, pushed us to many times when he was asked a question transform, or called us to sacrifice for others.
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Bishop Estabrook
Sharing his Love of Jesus Christ ——— By FATHER KERRY M. ABBOTT, OFM CONV. ———
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” — Heb 4: 14-16
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hen I wrote to you for our Spring 2011 issue of Salute, we were looking forward to the Triduum and Easter; in that article I quoted from the Responsorial Psalm (31) from the Good Friday liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, “…in your hands is my destiny….”
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s I write to you now it is Holy Saturday and yesterday we celebrated that liturgy here at Santa Sophia parish, not far from the women and men (and ships) over at the various Navy facilities that embrace San Diego Bay so dear to the heart of our brother, Bishop Joseph Estabrook. In fact, some of those very men and women attend Mass in this parish, and send their children to its school. It is a community where Bishop Estabrook would feel at home, but where did this shepherd not feel at home, and how did he get to that place of “serenity”… his word for the last chapter of his earthly life? n the weeks since I last spoke with him about vocation, life, and death, we have celebrated his life and ministry, and I could not help but think of him again yesterday, not only during that Responsorial Psalm, but also during the second reading from Hebrews quoted above for Good Friday.
n the 9 months that I have been the AMS Director of Vocations I have heard over and over again from several of our co-sponsored seminarians how, at critical points in their own vocation discernment journeys, this man, this priest, this accomplished Navy Captain, this auxiliary bishop, shared with our brothers his own understanding and experience of Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews, and while the world may acknowledge his accomplishments, Bishop Estabrook was eminently aware of how the Lord had sympathized and used his weaknesses to make him a strong and valiant friend and witness for the Lord. hris Christensen (Diocese of Arlington, VA) was stationed on the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) back in 2008 when Bishop Estabrook arrived to celebrate the Easter Vigil on his ship. “I can remember the joy that the bishop showed in (continued on page 22) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Bishop Estabrook
Sharing his Love of Jesus Christ celebrating the Mass, I will always remember that Mass.” Over the next few days Chris saw the bishop often, and one night even shared a meal with Bishop Estabrook and his CO, Captain David Lausman. “It was all so pleasant”, Chris recalls. He also remembers being encouraged by Bishop Estabrook’s candid telling of his own vocation story, his struggles in seminary, even leaving for a brief period. “I was struck by his honesty…about his relationship with God, and how he even showed the Lord the ‘messy’ parts of his life. I was moved by the love of God in his life, and how he allowed that love to carry him through in his weaknesses to strength.”
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s the sun sets this night and we are preparing for the Easter Vigil of 2012, less than 20 miles from where I write Bishop Estabrook in 2009 met Gary Bass (Diocese of Monterey, CA) who as a Navy Religious Program Specialist had recently made contact with the AMS in Washington, DC about a possible vocation to the priesthood. Gary had been advised to telephone the AMS Auxiliary Bishop in San Diego to request an appointment; instead Bishop Estabrook drove to Gary over at Naval Base Point Loma, CA and over a shared meal asked about, of all things, Gary and his life. “Wow, I’m impressed,” Gary recalls thinking, “this bishop came to me!” According to Gary, “Bishop Estabrook was the key that opened the door to where I am today. I am forever grateful!”
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omorrow is Easter Sunday, and just after sunrise I will preside at the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. San Diego is a “Navy town”, a second home of sorts for Bishop Estabrook and I can feel his spirit here as I do in our vocation ministry in general. He was very supportive of my predecessor, Monsignor John McLaughlin, as he was of our vocations and our AMS family. He applauded the increased blessings of the AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.
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hile embracing his “weaknesses” Bishop Estabrook “confidently approach(ed) the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” I know he would affirm the reality that the Lord chooses the weak and makes them strong, I know he is joy-filled at the knowledge that this year we have added 12 men to the co-sponsorship program, are ordaining 2 men to the transitional deaconate and 6 men as priests, with another 22 applying to dioceses and the AMS to be co-sponsored seminarians.
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omorrow we celebrate the Resurrection, His, ours, Bishop Estabrook’s. He told me to call him “Bishop Joe”, but my Southern upbringing could not abide my doing that. I remember him telling me as he did so many of our sisters and brothers in his own prayer, “Walk your journey faithfully with Him so that, through you, all may experience the fruits of His resurrection. Put out into deep water, come follow me!” We will “Bishop Joe”, Lord willing, we will! >
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One thing Bishop Joe always said to me when I asked if he would be willing or available to do “special” things for the Catholic Communities. His answer to me: “Say YES to everything!” It is the essence of who he was and what he provided in his ministry.
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— MS. PAULA PAULK,
ASSISTANT TO BISHOP ESTABROOK
Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook
A COURAGEOUS AND HOLY MAN a special blessing for my brother bishop. Then we hugged each other. I bade farewell, saluted him smartly and said “see you on the other side, Joe.” I flew back to DC later that day.
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hirty years or so ago when the young Father Estabrook approached his bishop for permission to join the Navy the good bishop and his advisors figured he would be back home in Albany in a year or
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two! Not to be. Bishop Joe thrived in the Navy! He was a sailor through and through with a touch of Marine tossed in for good measure. He loved the sea as much as I love the air and was most at home on an aircraft carrier with his beloved sailors and Marines. They now have their own advocate with the Heavenly Father. This great and holy man is at peace. He has finished the race and grasped the prize. >
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IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO WALK WITH YOU ——— By SISTER MAUREEN COLLEARY, FSP ———
BISHOP JOE AND SISTER MAUREEN IN MEXICO CITY
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y friendship with Bishop Joe Estabrook was indeed a privilege and a grace. My ministry is with RENEW International and has been for 15 years – a ministry that involves meeting with bishops, priests, and the laity, sharing with them the value of small Christian communities and faith sharing and then training them in one of our many renewal and evangelization processes. In January 2006, I had that opportunity when RENEW engaged with the Archdiocese for the Military Services to bring the process, Why Catholic? A Journey through the Catechism, to men and women stationed on military installations around the world.
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ince that time, I worked closely with Bishop Joe both in strategizing how best to serve the Catholic communities on the installations and in the actual training weekends using the process. We spent time together in Colorado, California, Texas, Virginia, Hawaii and South Korea. We walked and talked in many beautiful places. During many of those trainings, Bishop Joe would help with the teaching and it was through story that he taught the best. He could bring a deep theological concept down to its kernel and we would all leave with a clearer understanding of the teaching and at the same time be challenged to live our individual call in a deeper way. What a gift he possessed and how willing he always was to share that gift. My favorite story was about a time he was visiting someone who lived in a depressed area. On Joe's first visit, he
drove up to the two-family house and parked in the driveway, much to the anger and chagrin of an unhappy 8 year-old who lived downstairs from Joe’s friend. The little boy yelled and even cursed at Joe. The same thing happened on his second visit a few weeks later. On the third visit, Joe asked the little boy if he would do him a favor. As he opened his trunk, the little boy came over and peered inside. Joe asked if he would not mind watching the bike and some toys that were in the trunk until Joe came down from the visit. The little boy thought he could manage that. When Joe was leaving that day, he asked if he could impose on the child's kindness again by asking him to take care of the bike and toys until he returned in a few weeks. The child readily agreed. In a few weeks Joe came back, and this time he was greeted with a smile and a huge hug! (continued on page 26) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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It was a Privilege to Walk with You
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n October of 2010 I had just returned from Why Catholic? trainings in Hawaii and was calling Bishop Joe to report on how things had gone. This was my custom when he was unable to be with me on-site. It was during this phone conversation that he shared with me the diagnosis of cancer and asked that I pray with him through this next phase of his life. That began a fifteen-month journey of grace, suffering, and an amazing awareness of the presence of God in it all. We talked about once a week and enjoyed four face-to-face visits. Especially during those many telephone conversations, I often thought to myself that it was like being on a mini-retreat! I always felt so uplifted; his sharing of his own spiritual journey was so special, sacred and inspiring. As hard as I tried at the beginning of each conversation to ask how he was feeling or what was the latest result of a test he would always say, “I’ll tell you all that later, first tell me how you are and what is happening at RENEW?” I can honestly say I never heard him complain about pain or inconvenience or anything! I remember that late into the first year, he was completely intrigued about some side effects that the doctor had shared would come as a result of a new chemo – an extreme sensitivity to cold – so much so, that Joe was told not even to open the refrigerator without first putting on gloves! I remember him laughing and saying, “That’s going to make getting to my
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chocolate ice cream a little tough!” In the end, he never experienced that side effect, thank God.
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was very graced to have been invited to join Bishop Joe and a few family and friends on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City just the week before Christmas. It was for me a time filled with grace and “firsts”. It was my first visit to Mexico City, a huge and diverse place and my first visit to the shrine. Thanks to Giselle and Tim Estabrook, the trip was just perfect, everything we could have needed or wanted was provided. Even those like me who were first timers to Mexico City were taken on a tour of the highlights of that beautiful capital. Of course, Saturday afternoon's visit to the shrine was the highlight. Bishop Joe celebrated Mass in the crypt under the main altar just for our little group. As he sat in front of the altar to give his homily I realized he was sharing with us his dreams and hopes about eternity while at the same time encouraging us not to be afraid. He was at peace. He was very clear about the purpose of the visit; he had not come to ask the Blessed Mother for a miracle cure. No, he had come to give thanks for a wonderful life and especially for this last quality year. On our last morning, we gathered for Morning Prayer and faith sharing about what the pilgrimage meant to each of us. The gift of tears was in
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robably the most significant thing I learned from Joe was something he said often, especially during the last year, and that was that fear and faith could never inhabit the same space. He was a living example of that belief, and how true it is!
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y life has been blessed in deep and innumerable ways, and I shall ponder these memories as I continue my journey, looking forward to the day when Bishop Joe and I will once again walk together. Thank you, my dear and treasured friend. >
Sister Maureen Colleary, FSP Pastoral Services Team RENEW International Plainfield, NJ
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abundance, and the depth of sharing was moving and memorable. I thank God for that experience, one I will never forget!
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partner in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. – Philippians 1: 3-6
BISHOP ESTABROOK WITH GROUP THAT MADE PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IN MEXICO CITY DECEMBER 2011
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A Father’s Mission –
“PAY IT FORWARD SON” ——— By VINCE AMBROSETTI ———
BISHOP JOE IN MIKONOS
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tanding before his father’s casket, Tommy turned to his best friend and said, “You know, Joe, I never told him that I love him.” Joe began to search his own memory, and a sense of deep regret, even horrific urgency, overcame the seventeen year-old as he realized that he could not remember doing so either.
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ushing home that Friday evening, he ran into the kitchen where his dad sat talking with his mom. “Dad,” said Joe, “I need to talk with you. Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?” “Sure, Joe; how about the diner at noon?” “Great, Dad; thanks.” We can only imagine the myriad of scenarios that played through the mind of Joe’s father throughout the ensuing hours. Finally, at the table the next day, Joe said to his father: “Dad, you know that Tommy’s father passed away?” “I know, son. I’m sorry for his loss.” “Well, Dad, at the funeral home, Tommy told me that he never told his father that he loves him. And, I can’t remember if I’ve ever told you; so, I just want you to know that I love you very much.” “That’s it? That’s why you wanted to have lunch?” “Well, there’s more, Dad,” continued Joe. “I also want you to know that I realize how much you've done for me and given me, and that I can never begin to repay you.” “You’re right son. You can never repay me. So, here’s what I want you to do. As much as I have done for you, as much as I have given you, there will come a time when you are in a position to help others that you love, others who can’t help themselves. So, son, I simply want you to do for others what I have done for you.”
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nd so he did. Bishop Joseph Walter Estabrook was deeply imbued with a sense of caring. He spent his life conforming to his father’s love, and he spent his priesthood conforming to the unquenchable, generous, even outrageous love of the Father. Surrounded by a beautiful family, faithful life-long friends, dedicated brother priests, a Church he served with abandon and passion, Father Joe, Monsignor Joe, and Bishop Joe never met a person in need who left his presence unchanged or alone. Bishop Joe helped young soldiers in trouble redeem themselves. He helped young families in turmoil find renewed love. He helped the homeless find shelter and sustained employment. He helped the broken and abandoned find support and encouragement. He fed the hungry in the street. He fostered strong and loving marriages. He helped struggling immigrants to become documented citizens. He led the disheartened to hope. And he did so without counting the personal cost to him. I called them his “projects,” and they were everywhere. We had just returned from Greece where we had together presented an experience retracing Paul’s mission trips. (continued on page 30) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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A Father’s Mission - “Pay it Forward Son” Bishop Joe was visiting his family in Northern Virginia when they noticed his jaundiced color, the tell-tale symptom of his pancreatic cancer. The doctors at the Bethesda Naval Center confirmed the illness and prescribed treatment. He launched into this regimen with confidence, learning what he called his “new hobby,” the management of his sugar and insulin levels, required because of his failing pancreas. Not once did he complain.
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s frequently as I was able, I joined him for his bi-weekly chemo sessions, where together we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, we solved the problems of the Church and the world, we recalled stories from parish missions we had shared, we spoke of family, friends, life, faith and heaven. We laughed, we cried, we pondered and we planned. Even during his own treatment, he gave counsel and blessings to nurses and staff. Never was any of this about Bishop Joe; even his illness was an occasion to help others. In one of our last conversations, he reminded me that his entire life brought him to the moment of his death, and that we should not despair, for he truly believed that he would soon be with the Father and his father.
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hortly after he had begun his chemo regimen, my mother passed away. Without giving me the opportunity to say no, Bishop Joe flew to Baltimore to be with us. In order to do so, he had to adjust his chemo schedule; once again, he had put
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himself at risk for the benefit of those he loves and serves. My dad, siblings and I had just witnessed the closing of Mom’s casket, and we began the journey across the street to the Catholic church of my childhood parish. Walking up the stairs in tears, I cannot begin to express the love and gratitude bursting from within my heart when I discovered Bishop Joe waiting at the door of the church with outstretched arms. Embracing me, he simply said, “The worst is over now. It’ll be okay. You will see her again.” My comfort and grief, and hope and sorrow commingled as I realized that I would soon have to say goodbye to my dear friend as well.
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t the onset of his illness, Bishop Joe had flown with family to Guadalupe to ask Our Lady to intercede that he be given one year of good health, not for him, but so that he could complete unfinished “projects.” One year later, a small group of close friends returned with Bishop Joe and his family to Guadalupe for a Mass of Thanksgiving for that good year. As we stood with him at the altar of the shrine, through our tears, we recognized that we were witnessing in this eloquent act of love and gratitude his last public Mass in this world. The next morning, Bishop Joe was briefly MIA. Moments later, he arrived at the agreed upon meeting place with enough copies of Morning Prayer for all who had gathered. Once again, he had led us all to prayer.
BISHOP JOE LIGHTING CANDLE DURING HIS GREECE VISIT.
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he day before he died, Bishop Joe and I had talked on the phone. He recounted with me thoughts from his final trip to Northern Virginia, where he had done two precious and beautiful things: First, at the end of each weekend Mass, he said goodbye to his parish family of many years, Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Good Shepherd had been a source of great sustenance to him throughout many years of his priesthood. Then, he visited his mother and told her that he was dying. She took his hand and said, “It’s okay, Joe. Whichever one of us makes it to heaven first, we’ll be there with your dad to greet the other.” Knowing my impassioned love for Augustinian theology, Bishop Joe said to me: “Vince, it was as though she and I were Monica and Augustine at Ostia, speaking of the heaven we will share.”
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n the morning of his death, February 4, 2012, I awoke at 4:15 AM in the
rectory of St. Ambrose on The Hill in St. Louis and tangibly felt my dear friend’s presence. A short time later, Bishop Joe’s brother, Tim, informed me that he officially passed into God’s embrace at 4:14 AM. I continue to feel his presence every day.
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ome have said that to be a priest is to be an “agent of transformation.” Surely, to many he was priest. The litany of lives changed by his affirming, trusting, generous and sincere caring is almost beyond measure. And for those who have been privileged to count him as friend, we recognize that we now hold both remarkable. Treasure and responsibility. And to him we say, “We love you. We miss you. We believe that you are indeed now with God. And, we know that we could never repay you for all that you have done for us and been for us.” In response, Bishop Joe will surely say: “I know. You’re right. You can never repay me. So do for others what I have done for you. Set out into the deep.” >
VINCE AMBROSETTI — Is the publisher of ILP (International Liturgy Publications), the publisher of “Gift of Finest Wheat,” “Seed, Scattered and Sown,” “Alleluia No. 1” and many widely sung Catholic titles. Bishop Joe served on the board of ILP and enthusiastically championed ILP’s new Saint Augustine Hymnal. Ambrosetti is also the director of Parish Mission.Org, through which he shared many powerful and memorable parish missions presenting with Bishop Joe.
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The Blessed Mother came to take him home. ——— By MARY ANN TORTOLANO ———
I R-L: BISHOP ESTABROOK, MARY ANN TORTOLANO (SISTER), TIM ESTABROOK (BROTHER) AND GISELLE ESTABROOK (SISTER-IN-LAW)
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flew to Texas to visit Joe for the week on Sunday, January 29th. He was tired and weak but happy to see me. On Wednesday, February 1st he had a procedure done to remove fluid from his abdomen called a paracentesis. Giselle was away that week in Mexico on business, so it was just the 3 of us, Joe, Tim and I. After the procedure Joe felt great!
he three of us couldn’t have asked for a better day together! He was his happy self. He wanted a chocolate milkshake and we stopped at Barnes and Noble to buy some DVD’s of a series he was watching “Doc Martin”. We took a long ride around Houston, it was a beautiful day! Thursday was a different story. He could not hold food down, he was weak and in pain. Giselle returned from her trip that evening and could not believe the dramatic change! We notified hospice immediately and they increased all of his meds. Giselle and I were up with him all night. He suffered so much pain. Finally hospice came in early Friday morning and realized that he was going downhill fast. There was no room at the center, so they were sending in a nurse for home care. I can not tell you enough what a blessing was sent to us. This woman was amazing! She herself was Catholic, an angel in disguise! Friday evening, after Joe was stable and resting comfortably, Tim,
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Giselle and I went to bed around 10 pm. The nurse, Janet James woke me up first at 3:00 am and told me to wake Tim and Giselle, that Joe’s time was near. I could not believe it was happening. The 4 of us went into his room and surrounded his bedside. We said the Rosary together, Janet right there with us. We read Joe’s favorite Psalm #139. On his bedside table, Joe had an index card taped with the Seven Last Sayings of Jesus On The Cross. Tim began to read them and stopped at # 7, he broke down. Giselle read the last words and within the minute, Joe’s took his last breath. It was so beautiful, so peaceful. You knew that Our Blessed Mother came to take him. I felt her presence! I went to his dresser and read the prayer card to Our Lady of Guadalupe to him, kissed him and told him how much I loved him, I thanked him for being everything I could ever want in a brother and I told him to say “hi” to our Dad. >
“SEE YOU LATER” ——— By MICHAEL ESTABROOK ———
A wink that exemplified all that my Uncle Joe was – a man who was honest, loving and full of humor.
M L - R: TIM ESTABROOK, BROTHER ; GISELLE MARIE ESTABROOK, NIECE; BRECHTJE SOEPNEL, MICHAEL'S GIRLFRIEND; MICHAEL ESTABROOK, NEPHEW; AND BISHOP ESTABROOK.
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y name is Michael Estabrook and I am joined here by my sister Giselle and my cousins William, Julianne and Joey Tortolano. We are the nephews and nieces. This man you all call Bishop Joseph Estabrook we have always known as Uncle Joe and we decided that the best way to share with you who he was to us is through a small anecdote.
few weeks ago I was able to fly home from the Netherlands to visit my parents and Uncle Joe in Houston. Uncle Joe was in a Vietnamese food mode and had just discovered a little Vietnamese sandwich restaurant. You should have seen this place. It looked like a real hole in the wall. I remember thinking, is this even a restaurant? Sure enough it was, and when we walked in, it was super clean and the food was amazing. We had lunch there 3 times in 4 days.
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pulled me in for a hug and whispered “See you later.” I said it back and that was it. As I passed through the security line at the airport, I turned back one last time and he winked at me. A wink that exemplified all that my Uncle Joe was – a man who was honest, loving and full of humor.
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e taught us to always stand by our own values and beliefs. More importantly, he taught us to never ever judge or persecute anybody for the values or beliefs that they stand by.
he whole time I was in Houston that s I watched those gray-sock filled week, I was thinking about what I sandals walk away for the very last wanted to say to Uncle Joe right before I time, I remember thinking how lucky we was going to leave, knowing it would be were to have such an incredible uncle!” > the very last time. Then the moment came, and right as I was about to speak, he — February 10, 2012
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“It isn’t GOODBYE” ——— By JOSEPH TORTOLANO ———
Joseph Tortolano’s talk at Bishop “Uncle Joe’s” funeral (February 10, 2012)
r. Seuss once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” I have lived my life according to this quote. Instead of crying over the fact that my Uncle Joe is no longer here, I’m going to look back on all the memories I have and smile at each one of them.
D "UNCLE JOE" AND ME SAILING – JULY 2001 (JOEY WAS 6)
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hether it was “talking about life” on my father’s sailboat, teaching me how to parallel park in Old Town, or enjoying a delicious dinner of pasta and my mother’s homemade meatballs, I cherished every moment with Uncle Joe and now can only look back upon them with the biggest of smiles.
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t is important to notice how on the funeral program that there are two dates of birth: Joe’s date of birth into the world and his date of birth into eternal life with Christ. They could’ve just put “died on” but by replacing that with “born into eternal life on” makes it even more glorious. No one knows how long we will be on this earth, that is for God Himself to decide. But one thing is for certain, when we all leave this earth one day, we get to spend the rest of our lives with Christ and everyone who has gone before us, including my Uncle Joe. So let us go out and live our lives to the fullest because I know that is what my Uncle would want us all to do. And when God says it’s time to be born into eternal life, let us go with Him and go see Uncle Joe and everyone else who have gone before us. So in conclusion, this isn’t goodbye Uncle Joe, this is simply until next time. >
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Homily for the Funeral of
“Bishop Joseph Estabrook” Remarks By BISHOP HOWARD HUBBARD AT THE FUNERAL OF BISHOP JOSEPH ESTABROOK CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, ALBANY, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
I BISHOP HOWARD HUBBARD
’d like to express to Bishop Estabrook’s mother Genevieve, who was with us yesterday but who was unable to travel to Albany today, to his brother Tim and his wife Giselle, to his sister Mary Ann and her husband Bill, to his nieces and nephews and to all of his relatives, friends, and colleagues in the military my deep sympathy on the occasion of his death after his heroic battle with pancreatic cancer and a rich and truly accomplished life.
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am very grateful to Bishop Richard Higgins and Monsignor Frank Pugliesi for representing Archbishop Broglio and the members in the Military Archdiocese today. I also want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to Father Estabrook’s family members for the wonderful care and concern they lavished upon him throughout his illness.
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ishop Estabrook will be buried shortly in Calvary Cemetery 26 years to the day of his father’s burial in the same plot. Joe attended St. Teresa of Avila Grammar School and Vincentian Institute and Mater Christi Seminary in Albany. These experiences had an irrevocable influence on his life and so it is most fitting that he be buried in this community that was so important to him.
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fter completing his first two years of college at Mater Christi he did his theological and philosophical studies at St. Bonaventure University and was ordained by Bishop Edwin B. Broderick in 1969.
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is first assignment was with St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Albany with Bishop Edward Maginn and Father Leo O’Brien. He was beloved by all the parishioners, not just the young, and his pastoral leadership skills soon gained the attention of Bishop Broderick who appointed him as Director of our Family Life Office. There he promoted the renewal of marriage and family life through Marriage and Engaged Encounter, support groups for the separated, divorced and widowed and a renewed approach to Pre-Cana. (continued on page 36) S U M M E R 2 0 12
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Homily for the Funeral of
Bishop Joseph Estabrook
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fter I was named Bishop on February 1st, 1977, but before being ordained on March 27th, Joe approached me to request that he be able to enter the military as a navy chaplain. I knew that this would be a tremendous loss for our diocese as he had exercised such outstanding priestly ministry during his 8 years as a presbyter. However, I had also learned by this time in my life’s journey that what goes around comes around, and that what you give away comes back a hundred fold so I gave Joe my permission.
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uite frankly, I wondered how Joe’s laid back style and easy going demeanor would adjust with the spit, polish and highly disciplined chain of command in the military. I thought to myself, well maybe he will only do one term of three years or five at the most. Wrong! He served for 27 years.
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oe was a superb chaplain, curious, caring, kind, pastoral and selflessly available. His abilities were recognized by his superiors and he was called to serve at the Pentagon. Probably he could have risen through the ranks to be chief of navy chaplains and a Rear Admiral. But while skilled as an administrator, he had the heart of a pastor and wanted to be out with the fleet. So he left the Pentagon and he returned to chaplaincy service. He provided pastoral and spiritual care for his flock during the 1st Persian Gulf War, the Iraq war with the war in Afghanistan. He also became Command Chaplain in the Pacific Theatre.
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s he was about to retire in 2004 he received a call from the Apostolic Nuncio that Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II intended to appoint him as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Now that both Joe and Blessed John Paul II have been called to their eternal reward, I think I can break a pontifical secret. After receiving the call from the Nuncio, Joe phoned me and said he was inclined to say no. He stated he was not much for the pomp and circumstance associated with the episcopacy and, although he had a degree in ethics from the University of California at Berkeley, he felt he had not kept abreast of the theological and moral issues facing bishops today. I advised him that what was needed in a bishop today was a caring shepherd who loved the flock and who was truly one with them. This he had always been as a diocesan priest and a military chaplain, and I was convinced that his Episcopal appointment would be a great moral booster for his fellow chaplains and an affirmation for anyone who had ever been touched by his life.
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e chose as his episcopal motto, Duc In Altum, which as Father Vosko noted in his homily, means “Put Out Into the Deep.” However, when he first shared with me his motto, I was not familiar with what Duc In Altum meant. When I inquired he responded, “it means I’m in over my head.” That was typical of Joe’s humility and great sense of humor.
BISHOP ESTABROOK WITH SAILORS ABOARD THE USS MOMSEN
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s a Bishop he was tireless in his travels, in his affirmation of the priests and deacons in the military and in his pastoral service to the troops. He was also a great advocate for the new evangelization before this even appeared on anyone’s radar screen.
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urther, he was a tremendous promoter of the priesthood and constantly encouraged military personnel to consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. One of those who was touched by his exhortation is with us today, Michael Taylor, who is serving as a deacon in our diocese and will be ordained to the priesthood in June of this year. So, he arranged for his replacement in our presbyterate.
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oe’s affable, gracious priestly presence was a source of great joy to the many he touched. In our death denying culture the way Joe coped in such a serene fashion with his terminal cancer, trusting in God’s providence and giving thanks for all the blessings that he had received throughout his life was a source of tremendous
inspiration. He told me when I spoke with him at Christmas time that his classmate from grammar and high school, Sister Maureen Joyce, the director of Catholic Charities in our diocese was a tremendous role model for him throughout this ordeal. He visited her on a number of occasions when she was dying from a rare form of cancer and he kept her picture by his bed to remind him of how to bear the cross of illness with hope, peace and resignation.
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oday, we give thanks to God for the life that Bishop Estabrook lived, for the faith that he witnessed to, for the love that he shared and for the ministry he exercised. We pray that God will now grant him his place on the throne reserved for a successor of the apostles, that his noble sojourn among us so well deserves. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen. >
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An Evangelizer T
o say that his absence will be felt, because the workload must now be divided by four instead of five, misses the point. Bishop Estabrook infused life wherever he exercised his ministry. I will never forget our last face-to-face meeting in the intensive care unit of MD Anderson in Houston. He had been rushed there due to blood loss, but when I arrived he was sitting on the edge of the bed in a flowing oriental bath robe and holding court. You would never have thought that he had
(continued from page 5)
been rushed to the hospital just hours before. We talked about a number of things, but he would not allow the conversation to dwell too long on his condition or the prognosis. Those questions in his mind were in God’s hands alone.
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our years have passed in a hurry, but I live in the hope that we will meet again. Until then I will seek the Kingdom of God by “Setting out into the Deep.” >
Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook Heroic Shepherd with a Global Ministry
(continued from page 13)
B
ishop Joseph Estabrook was a true shepherd of the Church who embraced a global ministry within the Archdiocese for the Military Services. His love for Jesus, the Church, and the men and women who serve our Country inspired and influenced countless souls around the world. I will be forever grateful for his mentoring and friendship; and until we meet again I am assured of his intercessory prayers. >
ENTHUSIASTIC DISCIPLE
(continued from page 19)
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n my last phone conversation with Bishop Estabrook he remained true to form. He shared some reflections of bible passages that moved him and helped him to trust in God’s will. These appear in his final article for Salute (Spring 2012).I remain grateful for the constant gift of his encouragement and witness over the years. While he did many things and inspired many people I will always treasure how he shared with the Church what it meant to be an enthusiastic disciple – no matter what path God led him toward. I am sure I will remember it every time I get lost. > *Editorial Note: In the Christmas, 2011 edition of SALUTE, we republished an article about the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) instituting its first Military Campus Court - Court Our Lady of Lourdes #2643 - at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland (Nelson, Anne B. “Catholic Daughters Institute First Military Campus Court.” SALUTE Christmas 2011: 81-83). The article originally appeared in Volume 41 Number 3, Summer 2011, page 16 edition of SHARE. During the editing process, we inadvertently omitted a copyright citation: “Copyright (c) July 2011 by “Share” magazine, the quarterly of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Reprinted with permission.” SALUTE regrets the error.
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ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO INSTITUTES CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIAN RYAN BOYLE AS A LECTOR AT THE NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE
AMS LAUNCHES FUND RAISING DRIVE TO EDUCATE NEW MILITARY CHAPLAINS The Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) has launched a fund-raising drive to educate future military chaplains. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, says donations are urgently needed to meet a sharp increase in tuition and related expenses as more and more young men enter seminaries to fill a fast-growing shortage of Catholic chaplains in the United States armed forces. The shortage comes as aging chaplains reach the military’s mandatory retirement age of 62 faster than they can be replaced. Over the past decade, the active-duty roster has shrunk from more than 400 to fewer than 275. Currently, 25% of the U.S. military is Catholic, but Catholic priests make up only 8% of the chaplain corps. Thanks to active recruiting by the AMS in cooperation with local bishops and religious communities, the number of current or soon-to-be seminarians, transitional deacons and priests enrolled in the “Seminarian Co-Sponsorship Program,” created to support prospective new chaplains through the formation process, has risen from seven at one point in 2008 to 42 this year. The surge in recruits has raised the AMS’ annual tuition bill from less than $50,000 to more than $500,000. And with the AMS currently processing the applications of at least 18 more prospects, expenses are almost certain to climb in years to come.
ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO SAID: “While I recognize and appreciate how generous AMS supporters already are with their time, talents, and donations, I invite each and everyone who can to take advantage of this opportunity with an additional gift. No gift is too small.” Through the Seminarian Co-Sponsorship Program, the AMS shares the cost of a prospective chaplain’s five-year, $25,000 per year seminary education with the seminarian’s local diocese or religious order, each typically paying half the total amount, or about $12,500 a year. The local bishop or religious superior agrees to release the seminarian to pursue a military career after three years of pastoral service in his diocese or congregation. When the priest leaves military service, he returns to the diocese or congregation for continued pastoral service. Archbishop Broglio pointed out that the AMS, which receives no government funding and has no parishes to support its ministry through weekly collections, depends entirely on the generosity of private donors.
Donations can be made at www.milarch.org/vocationsfund
PAID
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— J. WALTER ESTABROOK [FATHER OF BISHOP ESTABROOK .. STORY ON PAGE 28 ]
“As much as I have done for you, as much as I have given you, there will come a time when you are in a position to help others that you love, others who can't help themselves. So, son, I simply want you to do for others what I have done for you.”
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