On May 14, I will complete five years as the Bishop of Rockford.

Milestones and anniversaries can have many meanings. One of them is an opportunity to say thank you.

I take this opportunity to offer my gratitude for the prayers, faith and kindness that I have encountered since the day of my consecration.

I am grateful to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who appointed me as the ninth Bishop of Rockford. He lives now in quiet and prayerful seclusion in the Vatican. May his prayers long continue to benefit the Church and the world.

Thanks also to the priests of the Diocese of Rockford. The ministry of the priests fulfills the calling of Christ. We cannot fully understand the benefit of grace that we all receive from the graces entrusted by Christ to the work of priests. I ask for prayers and encouragement for the priests serving so well in our parishes.

Along with our priests I am grateful for the service of the faithful deacons and the religious men and women in the Diocese of Rockford.

How appreciative I am as well to the lay faithful in the Diocese of Rockford and the manner in which they live their vocation of transforming the world according to the mind and heart of Christ.

In a special way I thank all of those who are involved in the formation of our Catholic youth, both through Catholic schools and our religious education program.

I appreciate as well the vitality of our lay organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Finally, I deeply thank the staff of the diocese, especially those who work quietly and tirelessly in the Chancery. I have come to know their faith, their commitment and their excellence over the last five years.

I take a risk in highlighting a necessarily limited number of examples of the people and work of the diocese in expressing my thanks. I know there are so many more. In short, my gratitude is wide and deep, and heartfelt.

Most especially, I publicly offer my thanks to God for the calling He has entrusted to me. I ask for your prayers to our Heavenly Father that I might carry out my task well, in spite of my limitations and weaknesses. Please know that the Diocese and faithful of Rockford are in my constant prayers.

Many and sincere thanks to all.