In the 'Zoo, Installation Day

It's a happy Friday in Kalamazoo as Bishop Paul Bradley takes the reins of the Michigan diocese of just over 100,000 at a 2pm Eastern Mass, which'll be streamed live (...and for which the worship aid is already posted).

Named to the post in April, in the run-up to his arrival the lifelong Pittsburgher laid out his priorities for his new charge, including strong lines of communication with his priests and enhanced lay leadership.

Trained as a social worker and hailed as an administrator, the 63 year-old's known and loved best for his pastor's heart; as the Steel City's ordinary put it at Bradley's hometown farewell, "everything about your life is directed toward your connecting with God."

Speaking of the 'Burgh, seemingly everyone's on the rise there these days....

With Bradley the second native named to a diocese of his own in the last five months, the talent pool took another hit last week as Fr Jim Wehner, the longtime rector of St Paul Seminary, was named to head the Pontifical College Josephinum, the US church's lone Rome-run formation house. To boot, two local layfolk -- a journalist and the city's top prosecutor -- were among five lay leaders named Monday to the bishops' National Review Board on clergy sex abuse.

And speaking of moves, all systems seem go for even more nods closer to home early next week....

As always, stay tuned.

PHOTO: Diocese of Kalamazoo

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