Scenes from the "Zoo"

From the Celery Capital of the World, snips of Bishop Paul Bradley's Opening Day Press Conference (audio):



...and a report:

Bradley said he is now in the process of learning as much as he can about his new diocese. He and Murray have started the process of transition, which will involve long-distance consultations between Kalamazoo and Pittsburgh until the June 5 installation, set for 2 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral....

Bradley added that he received one bit of useful information Sunday evening at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. "A man said to me, 'This is Kalamazoo and it's my home and I'm happy to be back.' I thought that said it all. That's all you need to know about a place," Bradley said. "This is the home of 100,000 Catholics and the home of many people I look forward to leading."

The Kalamazoo diocese encompasses nine southwestern Michigan counties, 46 parishes, 13 missions and 22 Catholic schools.

[Newly-retired Bishop James] Murray said he plans to remain in Kalamazoo after Bradley's installation and serve the diocese when needed.

"I'm going to try to learn Spanish," Murray said. "I know enough to say Mass and confirm in Spanish, but I hope to do better. I plan to help out in the parishes. If a priest is sick or wants to get away, we'll have it covered."

By the looks of it, the appointee will stick around for tomorrow night's Chrism Mass in his new charge before returning to Pittsburgh, where the annual Holy Week liturgy takes place in its traditional Thursday morning time-slot.

On a rougher note from the Steel City, the farewells began earlier today for three officers of the Pittsburgh Police gunned down by a deranged assailant early Saturday.

As the city's paper of record put it, the murders of Officers Paul Sciullo II, Eric Kelly and Stephen Mayhle have left the 'Burgh "face to face with pain, sadness and loss."

With over 1,000 of the Blue Line from across the country making the trip in tribute, a joint memorial for the officers will be held Thursday.

Especially in this Holy Week -- when the sacrifice that comes with "no greater love" saved the world -- the fallen and their families deserve a place in thoughts and prayers from far and wide.

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