Third Bishop of Lansing
1924-2003
One way many of us looked forward to each week was his column in The Catholic Times, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” As I have sat reflecting on the blessing of having been able to know and work with Bishop Povish, I couldn’t help but think that the title he chose for his weekly column was also a kind of motto for his life.
Part of what made our time with Bishop Povish so special was that we got to know him in so many different ways. One way many of us looked forward to each week was his column in The Catholic Times, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” As I have sat reflecting on the blessing of having been able to know and work with Bishop Povish, I couldn’t help but think that the title he chose for his weekly column was also a kind of motto for his life. The Way. There was a gentle spirit about Bishop Povish. From the way he took time to visit with young and old alike to the way he cared for and enlivened our diocese during his 20 years of service as our bishop, Bishop Povish always tried to share with us a very Christ-like way of living. Even as his cancer took its inevitable toll on his body, his mind and spirit seemed even more life-filled and life-giving. In October 2001, Bishop Povish preached our parish mission at the Catholic Community of St. Jude. It was among the last parish missions he ever offered. As we began the mission with the weekend Masses, we celebrated the sacrament of the anointing of the sick with the gathered community. Even though he had had an awful week, Bishop Povish readily anointed those who came to him – even though he was likely more ill than those with whom he shared that sacrament. That was his way. The Truth. Bishop Povish was a gifted preacher and writer. Each time he put pen to paper or sat down at his trusty typewriter, the stories would come pouring out. Yet Bishop Povish did not share stories just for the sake of telling them. He shared them because they revealed truth about God’s love for us, shed insight on Christ’s sacrifice for us and lifted us up in the Spirit, so that we might come to know God in a deeper, more personal way. The truth of the Gospel could always be found in a Povish story. The summer after my first year in seminary I had the privilege of driving Bishop Povish to the airport in Detroit. During the 40-minute drive there – and during a similar sojourn upon his return – I was a captive audience. There were stories about life as a young priest; stories about growing up as the only son in a Polish-American family; stories about his love for the people of our diocese; even a story about why he found it necessary to keep polishing his facility with the Polish language. Each story had a point, and each story pointed to God. Bishop Povish, the legendary storyteller, had a love for the Truth. The Life. That was what it was all about – not just the earthly life he shared with us, but the new and transformed life he now shares with God. The way and the truth point to the life. This was perhaps never more evident than during the years following his retirement. Freed from the administrative burdens that are part of the life of any bishop, he could do what he loved most – be a priestly bishop among God’s people. During the nine years of his illness, he showed us how to offer our own suffering for the sake of others, how to be patient in endurance, how to laugh when it hurts and how to find blessings in the midst of distress. He showed us how to love. He showed us how to die. He showed us how to live – for one another and for God. Thank you, Bishop Povish, for sharing with us the way, the truth and the life. And so our journey in FAITH continues. – Fr. Dwight Ezop is editor of FAITH Magazine and pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Jude.
Photos Courtesy of Diocese of Lansing Archives
C. Jones
we mourn a good priest, good bishop, good shepherd and a good friend
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At Hospice House of Lansing, late in the evening of Sept. 5, 2003, Bishop Kenneth J. Povish, the third bishop of Lansing, quietly slipped from this life into eternal life with God. In the days which followed his death, the people of our diocese gathered to mourn and to celebrate a good priest, a good bishop, a good shepherd, a good friend to the Church in mid-Michigan. Bishop Povish’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing.
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1 2 a bishop in Crookston, Minnesota
1 4 the third bishop of Lansing
1 6 our bishop for 20 years
2 2 the funeral
3 0 final thoughts
C. Jones
Photos Courtesy of Diocese of Lansing Archives
2 0 retirement years
The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing
Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling PUBLISHER
Rev. Charles Irvin FOUNDING EDITOR
October 2003 • Volume 4 : Issue 9
Rev. Dwight Ezop EDITOR IN CHIEF
Patrick M. O’Brien MANAGING EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Alton Pelowski ASSISTANT EDITOR/WEBMASTER
Jillane Job SUBSCRIPTIONS/SECRETARY
Evelyn Weitzel SUBSCRIPTIONS
Patrick Dally GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER
Patricia Majher Most Rev. James Murray Rev. George Michalek CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Margaret Perrone PROOFREADING
Christine Jones James Luning (cover) Tom Gennara CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Wayne Case Vicki Bedard David Fenech Patricia Garcia Diane Nowak Margaret Perrone James Rhadigan Ricardo Rodriguez David Rosenberg Rev. James Swiat Peter Wagner Sharon Wimple ADVISORY BOARD
Rev. Cecilio Reyna WEB MINISTRY
Elizabeth Martin Solsburg FAITHhelps
Rogers Printing PRINTING FAITH (USPS 019993) is a membership publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. Published monthly except February and August. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Individual issues are $2.50. Send all subscription information and address changes to 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933; (517) 342-2595; fax (517) 342-2537 or e-mail jjob@ dioceseoflansing.org. Periodicals Postage Paid at Lansing, MI or additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: FAITH, 300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933. ©Catholic Diocese of Lansing. To obtain permission to reprint any portion of FAITH, please call (517) 342-2595.
Diocese of Lansing Archives
From the beginning of his episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Lansing, Bishop Povish was unfailing in his love for our Lord and His Church. His commitment to pastoral service never wavered. He never tired of the challenge and privilege of announcing and witnessing the Good News of Jesus Christ. All who knew Bishop Povish came to appreciate his intellect, kindness and subtle humor. He was gifted with a questioning mind and an engaging personality that invited collaboration and enthusiasm. He was best known and appreciated for his effective preaching and writing. His words were well chosen and to the point. In an admirable way, Bishop Povish’s life and ministry expressed the motto he chose when Pope Paul VI named him a bishop in 1970: “To accomplish His work.” All his pastoral initiatives served that end. As we watched Bishop Povish in his final years it became clear that God called him to share intimately through Christian suffering in Christ’s passion and death. Often, the intensity of his suffering was unbearable. Yet always, Christ was present to Bishop Povish and said, “Come to me, you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.” Bishop Povish was a brave Christian man, priest and bishop who made every effort to minister and speak truth even when weakened by sickness. No one can deny his courage. The hour has come to see the full truth of God’s fidelity to his promise of eternal life fulfilled for Bishop Povish, faithful disciple of the risen Lord, generous priest and loving shepherd of Christ’s flock. I will miss, but never forget, his priestly friendship, his sage counsel and his heroic witness. May the peace of Christ and faith in the certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life console the bishop’s family and all to whom he was so deeply devoted, especially the people of our diocese. His voice is stilled, his pen laid down. Come, share your master’s joy!
C. Jones
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The death of Bishop Povish is a great loss for the Church of Lansing. He is beloved by so many in our diocese which he served so generously since 1975. Even as we accept our loss, we thank God for the countless gifts given to our diocese through the episcopal ministry of Bishop Povish. We pray that he share fully in the Easter victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over suffering and death.
a letter from Bishop Carl F. Mengeling
Bishop Povish was a brave Christian man, priest and bishop who made every effort to minister and speak truth even when weakened by sickness. No one can deny his courage. Left: Bishop Povish lays hands on the next bishop of Lansing during Carl F. Mengeling’s episcopal ordination.
– Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling is the fourth bishop of Lansing
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Bishop Povish more than fulfilled his episcopal motto, To Accomplish His Work, as a shepherd of souls in the Diocese of Lansing. A draining battle with colon cancer led to Bishop Povish’s retirement in 1995. Yet, he stayed active. In June 2000, he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest and 30th anniversary as a bishop. Even in his journey toward death, he taught us about life. He was born into eternal life on Sept. 5, 2003, and was buried on Sept. 11, 2003. Born in Alpena April 19, 1924, Bishop Povish was the eldest child and only son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Yachaik) Povish. He was ordained to the priesthood June 3, 1950, and served in the Diocese of Saginaw until he was appointed bishop of Crookston, Minn., in 1970. He was appointed bishop of Lansing by Pope Paul VI on Oct. 8, 1975. The office was left vacant by the death of Bishop Alexander Zaleski. He was installed as the third bishop of Lansing on Dec. 11, 1975, and served us well for 20 years.
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a The son of Polish immigrants –
Joseph Povish raised his family in Alpena. From left: Kenneth Povish, his sister Janet, father Joseph and mother Elizabeth.
b Kenneth is the oldest of four siblings. Here, he is pictured with sisters, Janet and Ione.
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High School, Kenneth Povish went to St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids. Here he is pictured with classmates (1942). From left: A. Wischmeyer (pastor of St. Mary, Swartz Creek), K. Povish, E. Orlowski, C. Plamondon, E. Trombley.
d After finishing his bachelor’s
degree at Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, Kenneth went on to study theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Here he is pictured with classmates the year he graduated with a master’s degree in education (1950).
e Kenneth Povish (third from left)
in his own words: Bishop Povish talks about life, death and priesthood
Interview by Fr. Charles Irvin Tell me about your faith life as a boy. Bishop Povish: It was as a boy in a Polish-American household and ethnic parish. All my grandparents and most of my uncles and aunts lived in Alpena. The men had to go to Detroit to get work. My dad had to work there in Detroit in order to get the money to marry my mom. All my family lived in Alpena and they had a strong faith life. When did you start thinking that you might want to do something special with your life? Bishop Povish: I didn’t have a good grasp on anything like that until I went to parochial school, because my parents attended a Polish school. They prayed in Polish. Their entire religious vocabulary was in Polish. But they were rebels who didn’t want me to know Polish because they wanted me to be thoroughly “Americanized” – which hurt my grandparents, who wanted me to be at least bilingual. They couldn’t converse with me about religion, and they taught me Polish prayers that I couldn’t understand.
has hands laid on him during his ordination to the priesthood, June 3, 1950, at St. Mary Cathedral, Saginaw.
My faith life was steeped in Polish traditions. My whole family observed Christmas
f The Povish family has a priest. From left: Barbara, Elizabeth, Janet, Kenneth, Joseph and Ione.
was in the second grade.
g Bishop Woznicki is shown with newly ordained priests for the Diocese of Saginaw. Fr. Povish is third from left.
Bishop Povish: My dad had a picture of Jesus and the rich young man. I didn’t know it
h Kenneth Povish lays prostrate
during the Litany of Saints with fellow ordinandi during his ordination to the priesthood.
i Fr. Kenneth Povish celebrates
his first Mass at St. Anne Parish in his home town of Alpena, before moving on to his first assignment at St. Ignatius Parish, Rogers City.
and Easter and the Holy Days in the Polish tradition. They were steeped in religion but I didn’t know what these traditions meant. It was when I started attending parochial school and learning the prayers in English that I began to understand our religion. That
When did you start praying? depicted Jesus and the rich young man walking away from Him. That picture made a deep impression on me. My mother would point out to me “that was Jesus.” Then, when I entered the Grand Rapids seminary, there was a stained glass window of the rich young man walking away and Jesus with a sad expression “because he had many possessions.” The coincidence made an impression on me. That picture that was my father’s gave me some idea that Jesus was a man. God, however, was somebody else. We went to church faithfully. My mother would exhort me to “behave in church.” We had to behave in church “because Jesus was there on the altar. He was there in that little house on the altar.” We had an old-fashioned church with the tabernacle on the altar, made of wood. It had a gable on it, with a cross on top. It had a wooden door – not a grand door made out of
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a Fr. Kenneth Povish, shown here as a young priest, served in the Diocese of Saginaw for 20 years.
b Fr. Povish’s first assignment was at St. Ignatius Parish, Rogers City where he served from 1950-52.
c Next, Fr. Povish went to St. Hyacinth Parish in Bay City where he served from 1952-56. Here he is pictured with a newly baptized baby. d, e Fr. Povish is shown relaxing
brass or bronze. I could see the priest open the door. That was where Jesus lived and we didn’t want to engage in any disruptive behavior because Jesus lived in that little house. I grew up thinking that God didn’t speak English. All I heard was Latin and Polish. Jesus lived in that little house. But Jesus was an adult man who was in that picture. And
playing a game of pool and in the rectory of his first pastorate, St. Mary Parish in Port Sanilac.
Jesus was on the cross.
f Fr. Povish began writing his weekly
When did you develop a personal relationship with God?
When did God become personal for you?
column, “The Question Box,” for The Catholic Weekly/Times in 1954 – which would be followed by “Grace and Peace” and “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” The “Last Word” closed each issue of FAITH.
Bishop Povish: In the fourth grade one of my grandmothers was insisting that I
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morning on cold winter days, God became quite real for me. When I started serving,
become an altar boy. In the parish I then attended, St. Anne’s, you started to serve in the fourth grade. You found a partner. You learned the Latin prayers. We served in teams of four. When I started serving Mass, particularly getting up in the early hours of the
Norbert Parish in Munster from 1957-60. He is shown here during a marriage ceremony.
this particular grandmother began asking me, “Do you want to be what Father is?” So, it
h Fr. Povish celebrates Mass for the Grand Rapids Dominicans at St. Paul Seminary, Saginaw. The sisters held their summer school at the seminary. Fr. Povish taught Latin, history and religion at the seminary from 1960-66.
Was that something that you wanted to do because your heart was
i Fr. Povish celebrates a wedding at St. Stanislaus, in Bay City, where he served as pastor from 1966-70. j Fr. Povish becomes Monsignor Povish at a ceremony in St. Stanislaus, Jan. 7, 1968. k Msgr. Povish stands with other
monsignors. Within two years he will be named a bishop – making him one of the youngest prelates in the nation.
l On July 28, 1970, Pope Paul VI
names Msgr. Povish bishop of Crookston, Minn. Bishop-elect Povish greets parishioners at his farewell reception at St. Stanislaus (1970).
was in the fourth grade that I began thinking about being a priest.
in it, or you wanted to do it because somebody said you should? Bishop Povish: Well, I had a great respect for my grandmother, because she was a very holy woman – a valiant woman. She was a widow. My grandfather died in February of 1929. She had five kids at home and she took in washing, sewed clothes for wealthy people, etc. She supported her kids. She was a holy woman. She influenced your decision to become a priest? Bishop Povish: Very much so. She prayed for it anyway, and frequently talked about it. Why did you become a priest? Bishop Povish: I went to our Catholic school in the elementary grades. In the seventh grade I started attending public schools. I traveled with a bunch of guys who were not the most wholesome of young men. I had several girlfriends. I went to Mass and received the sacraments, but wasn’t thinking about the priesthood. I was shocked into reality when in the 11th grade I had to go to the academic counselor in order to make plans for college. He asked, “What are you going to do with your life, Povish?” He wanted me to go to the University of Michigan. My math teacher wanted me to go to Hillsdale. My English teacher wanted me to go to Northern Michigan
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a Kenneth Povish was ordained a
bishop in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, on July 28, 1970.
b Bishop-elect Povish is lined up
with the other prelates before the ordination outside the cathedral.
c Bishop Luigi Raimondi, apostolic
delegate, is the principal consecrator. During this part of the ceremony, he holds the Book of Gospels over Bishop-elect Povish’s head.
d Bishop Raimondi anoints the
head of Bishop-elect Povish.
e During the Litany of Saints,
Bishop Povish lays prostate. Facing the camera kneeling, from left, are: Bishop Raimondi, Bishop Reh of Saginaw and Bishop Hickey, auxiliary bishop of Saginaw (later Cardinal Hickey of Washington, D.C.). Three consecrators are required for the ordination of a bishop.
f Bishop Povish is led to the cathe-
dra or bishop’s chair and assumes the role of Bishop of Crookston. The word “cathedral” comes from “cathedra.”
g Newly ordained Bishop Povish is shown at his reception next to his parents. Bishops from Michigan stand in the back row – from left: Bishop McKinney of Grand Rapids, Auxiliary Bishop Hickey and Bishop Reh of Saginaw, Bishop Zaleski of Lansing, Bishop Salatka of Marquette and Auxiliary Bishop Schoenherr of Detroit. h, i As bishop of a rural diocese, a
lot of time was spent traveling. The diocesan administration was so small, Bishop Povish once commented that the superintendent of Catholic schools worked out of his car.
j-n Bishop Kenneth Povish spent five
years in the Diocese of Crookston celebrating confirmations and parish anniversaries. He was instrumental in creating parish councils in all 49 of the diocese’s parishes. Little did he know, he would soon return to Michigan.
University at Marquette. My History teacher wanted me to go to the University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks, ND. And I had to ask myself, “What do I want to do with my life?” At that time I had to reform, change my ways, cut out the dating, etc. More and more I realized that I wanted to be a priest. All this came to a head during Lent in my Junior year. In 1942 during Lent I realized, “I’ve got to talk with Father.” Graduation was coming up in June and I had to make a decision. So, on a Wednesday night after Lenten devotions, an amazing thing happened. I went to the rectory to speak with Father and told him, “I think I want to go to the seminary, and I’ve got to have some advice.” He responded, “I was wondering when you were going to come and talk with me about this!” You see, I was a server at Mass and he sort of kept track of me. We settled it that night. He pulled out a catalogue from the seminary in Grand Rapids, told me that he would go ahead and write the required letter of endorsement, and said, “You go home and tell your parents.” I ran home through the ice and snow and breathtakingly told them I had talked with Father, and now wanted to enter the seminary in the fall. My dad said one word. “You?!” I’ll never forget it. He didn’t know what had been going on, and thought I was still hanging around with those guys. My younger sister was always yapping about which girl was after me, etc. Actually, I had cut that stuff out and didn’t even go to the Junior Prom because I had stopped dating. What did you love about being a priest before you were a bishop? Bishop Povish: I loved parish life and being pastor. I liked to teach, and so I liked teaching Catechism. When you learned you were going to be a bishop, were you a member of the seminary’s faculty? Bishop Povish: No. I had been a seminary professor for six years. I had promised the bishop I’d be a seminary professor for 10 years. After six years an important pastorate had opened up. The bishop promised that he “would speak to the seminary rector” (Fr. James Hickey). I was glad. I had enjoyed the six years as a seminary professor, but I really wanted to be a pastor. It was an honor, because St. Stan’s was at that time the largest parish in the Diocese of Saginaw. So you were pastor of St. Stanislaus in Bay City when you received the news that you were called to be a bishop? Bishop Povish: Yes. It was a surprise. I was in Europe at the time. I was in Poland with
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a Bishop Povish processes into the
Lansing Civic Center on Dec. 11, 1975, for his installation as the third bishop of Lansing. On the left is Dcn. Sam Bues. On the right is Dcn. Ed Ertzbischoff (now pastor of St. John, Ypsilanti).
Bishop Albers
In 1937, the Diocese of Lansing was established by Pope Pius XI. Bishop Joseph H. Albers, a native of Cincinnati, served as the diocese’s founding bishop from 1937-1965. Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski, born in New York and ordained a bishop for Detroit, became the second bishop of Lansing in 1965 and served until 1975.
Bishop Zaleski
b A terrible snowstorm did not
deter Cardinal John Dearden of Detroit from attending the installation. From left is Fr. David Harvey, the cardinal’s secretary and Fr. Alan Wakefield.
Fr. Gaj, a native of Poland and former inmate at Dachau. The letter from the apostolic
c Bishop Povish gives his homily. 35 bishops and 180 priests were in attendance with women religious from 17 orders serving Lansing and hundreds of faithful.
The letter gave me three weeks to respond. I went to see the bishop. I was allowed to
delegate in Washington, D.C., had come while I was there and was in a pile of other mail through which I was working. While I was (finally) reading that letter, I got a telephone call from Bishop Reh saying, “I’ve got to see you right away!” consult with my confessor and one other person. So my confessor said, “Take it!” The other person was Fr. Hart, God love him, and he also said, “Take it.” So, I sent the coded message back to the apostolic delegate accepting the appointment.
d Bishop Povish prays the Eucharistic prayer.
Bishop Albers has been called “The Builder,” Bishop Zaleski “The Theologian”
e Bishop Povish chose the Lansing
and Bishop Povish “The Pastor.” How would you describe yourself?
Civic Center so that as many people could attend as possible.
Bishop Povish: Well, I was complimented when you said that. I never heard that
f Bishop Povish is being interviewed by Fr. Don Eder, director of communications for the diocese.
that almost everything we did was built on the shoulders of Bishop Albers. He was a
g Bishop Povish contemplates a
question during a press conference.
h At the Eucharistic Congress in
before, but it seems to be quite accurate. I was very conscious through the years genius at organization. He had a vision for the Church here. He bought up property. He was loyal to the Cincinnati seminary and the seminarians there. Of course, I knew Bishop Zaleski personally and what a scholar he was. I would love to be called a pastor, for that is how I pictured myself.
1976, Bishop Povish poses with a little-known Polish cardinal who would later become Pope JPII.
You don’t have to answer this question if you don’t want to, but if you were
i At Mass, Bishop Povish receives
Bishop Povish: He’s got an almost innate sense of what this diocese needs along with what
gifts from members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, which he started in September 1977.
j Bishop Povish is interviewed on
Real to Reel, a television broadcast of the diocese.
k Bishop Povish began an Office
asked, what words of advice would you give to your successor? he’s got to do. He’s very good at doing what he’s doing. He’s doing a great job. He’s got a vision. He’s bold. He doesn’t hesitate to reach out, branch out. He’s very enthusiastic. He’s an evangelizer. How would you describe your present relationship with God? Have you ever been “mad” at God?
for Women, Poverty and Age in 1984. Here he is at a senior appreciation celebration.
Bishop Povish: I’ve never been mad at God. I’ve never been disappointed. I often think
l Bishop Povish with actor Danny Thomas.
m Bishop Povish with Fr. (now Msgr.) Murphy and M.S.U. football coach George Perles during a DSA event.
Bishop Povish: Only very briefly. Whenever I stop to think about what has happened
of the serenity prayer and of Pope John XXIII’s words, “Lord, it’s your Church. Take care of it. I’ve got to go to bed!” You’ve never been disappointed? and what is happening, I say, “Well, He knows what He’s doing.” No, I’ve never been angry with God, even with the cancer. continued on page 19
n Bishop Povish with Henny
Youngman at a Guest House benefit. October 2003
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education, Bishop Povish visits children in a Catholic school. He opened the youth ministry office of the Diocese of Lansing in 1985 and began a certification program for parish catechists in 1989.
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moment, Bishop Povish poses with Bruce Fech, superintendent of Catholic schools (left) and Jim Miner, principal of Lansing Catholic Central (right).
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c After an All Schools Mass during Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Povish greets students outside St. Mary Cathedral. d At the bishop’s residence on the west side of Lansing, Bishop Povish enjoys a game of Scrabble with friends.
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interest in vocations. Here he is shown hosting a group of seminarians at his residence. He did this every year around Christmas.
f Bishop Povish gives a talk to seminarians from the diocese. He opened up Oak Street, a residence for men from Michigan State University to discern priesthood. After Oak Street, Emmaus House was opened across the street from St. John Student Parish in East Lansing. g Recognized as the second AfricanAmerican priest ordained in the United States, Fr. Norman DuKette enjoys a laugh with Bishop Povish. Fr. DuKette served 51 years as a priest at Sacred Heart, Flint. In 1977, Bishop Povish opened the Fr. DuKette Center and, in 1996, he opened the Black Catholic office to address the specific needs of people of color within the diocese. q
Photos Courtesy of Diocese of Lansing Archives
h Bishop Povish addresses a gathering at the dedication of a soup kitchen. One of the first areas that received Bishop Povish’s attention was reorganizing diocesan offices in the current Dept. of Catholic Charities. In 1985 he opened the Office for Social Ministry, Christian Service and the Campaign for Human Development.
i Bishop Povish is shown here at a Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Povish has been supportive of Cristo Rey’s outreach to Hispanics, migrant ministry and Flint’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. He opened a Spanishspeaking cultural center in Jackson in 1980. In 1984, he opened a diocesan office for Hispanic affairs. j In 1989, Bishop Povish appointed a diocesan director to oversee the lay ministry program. He understood the need for educated laity in parish ministry. Bishop Povish is shown during a commissioning of lay ministers at St. Mary Cathedral in 1995. k In 1976, Fr. Douglas Osbourn was given the responsibility to develop a training program for permanent deacons. Bishop Povish is shown laying hands during a diaconate ordination.
l A warm embrace between the newly ordained Fr. Brendan Walsh and Bishop Povish symbolizes the brotherhood of the priesthood. Bishop Povish ordained 60 priests for the Diocese of Lansing. m Bishop Povish shares a laugh with Frs. Will Stevenson and Lou Martin. Out of his dedication to priests, he opened the Office of Priestly Life and Ministry in 1978. n Bishop Povish lays hands on
Kevin Britt during his episcopal ordination in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Detroit (1993). Bishop Povish was active in the Michigan Catholic Conference as well as with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops where he served on various committees, including vocations and the Catechism.
o Bishop Povish consecrates the holy oils at the Chrism Mass held each year on Holy Thursday. p Bishop Povish was one of few
bishops to meet Pope John Paul I in September 1978.
q The pope asks bishops to come to the Vatican every five years. Here is Bishop Povish with Pope John Paul II during one of those visits. October 2003
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In facing his cancer, Cardinal Bernardin taught and inspired many people. What do you want to give to people in your own story, in your own battle?
a Ever at his typewriter, Bishop
Bishop Povish: Well, I really admired Joe Bernardin. I went to the seminary with Joe;
Povish writes his weekly column for The Catholic Times and his monthly column for FAITH. He was a master of the English language and wrote without fail right up until his death. His instructions to editors were clear, “Change not a word, not a syllable.” We never did. We never needed to.
counted him as a friend among the bishops of Region VI; kept in touch with him after
b Smiling broadly, Bishop Povish
way. I’m offering it all up. If this is going to be the end, I want to go out in a way that is
walks outside his condominium on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center. He was kept company by the other retired priests who also lived there.
c Faithful to the Liturgy of the
he went to Chicago. But Joe had a touch, a gift that I don’t think I have, in that when he had his cancer – and he had the worst kind – he made an apostolate out of it. When you read all that he did – calling people, visiting people, counseling people and writing to people who had cancer – I haven’t got that. But one of the things that I pray for is that in this cancer that I have now, which is worse than what I had five years ago, that I will give people an example of accepting what God sends and living it in a redemptive a credit to God and something of an inspiration to other people. Cardinal Bernardin talked about his fears. Do you have any? Bishop Povish: I don’t have any fear exactly. I do have some wonder. My thinking is that I’ve really enjoyed these last four to five years. I know what I have here, and what I
Hours, Bishop Povish walks as he prays. It is a familiar sight to those who knew him well and often a cause for wonder to those who didn’t.
think I can do yet for a while. But I don’t know what’s ahead. It’s as Scripture said – full
d Bishop Povish was active celebrating confirmations and ever-present at diocesan functions during his retirement. Bishop Mengeling would seek his help and counsel. Here, he waves in recognition of applause at St. Mary Cathedral.
all types of shapes and sizes. But I save the cards and the spiritual bouquets.
e Bishop Povish visits with Bishop Mengeling prior to the opening Liturgy of the 2001 Common Conference held at the Lansing Center.
f Bishop Povish was diagnosed with
of wonder. And I haven’t had any experience of it. So I’m not afraid and would kind of like to have a few more years to continue doing what I’ve been doing in the last few. Look at all of those prayer cards up there. I don’t save the letters because they come in I feel good. I’m not afraid. Any regrets? Bishop Povish: (Thoughtful pause, and then) No, no regrets. What else would you like to say? Bishop Povish: Well, I just would like to say that these 25 years have been the longest that I’ve been able to stay in any one place. This has been really a great ride, I’ll tell ya. Terrific priests, wonderful people, great cooperation. I really couldn’t expect any more than I’ve had here. I just thank people who have worked with me, supported me. I think of this, Charlie. In the early ‘80s there was this economic downturn. One third of our
cancer in 1994. Though he did not dread death, he never gave up the desire to live. Shown here is the area where he received chemotherapy treatments in the Breslin Cancer Center, Lansing.
parishes are in Genesee County, in the Flint region. One third of our population. Flint
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And a special thanks to those housekeepers who have taken care of me. What life
entrance hall, is surrounded by memories of a lifetime devoted to the Church. Fiercely independent, he was able to stay at home and take care of himself until a week before he died when, reluctantly, he went to hospice.
never flinched once! DSA goals were met every year. Everything that we asked, the people of Flint came through. That was just a great revelation and a great consolation to me. The loyalty of those people. Thanks to the clergy! Thanks to the laity! Thanks to all the benefactors. I say Mass for them every week. they’ve had to live though all of those years – some nuns, some laywomen. When I had to start keeping house here for myself, I found out how boring this is – the day in and day out cleaning and chores. You go through all of these household chores and then find that the next day you’ve got to do the same darn things all over again! I never appreciated until now what a life they’ve had. It’s gratitude. That’s the big thing I want to tell people. I’m filled with gratitude for all that people have done for me. October 2003
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It was Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2003, the usual time for one of his favorite events in the week – his Friday afternoon “Holy Hour” when we gathered in Bishop Povish’s retirement home to discuss world and Church happenings and sip a refreshment or two. He, however, never had more than one.
the day he died: Saying Our Goodbyes to Bishop Povish Fr. Charles Irvin was with Bishop Povish hours before he died. Here are his thoughts. Right: Two members of the Knights of Columbus honor guard keep watch in St. Mary Cathedral, the body of Bishop Povish lays in state while mourners pray before the open casket.
This time, in his hospice room, his two sisters and brother-in-law were there, along with Bishop Mengeling and twelve priests of our diocese. We were all there for our last “Holy Hour” with him, only now he couldn’t speak. But it didn’t mean he could no longer lead us and guide us. Even cancer could not strip that away from him. He was still leading us in his courage, wisdom and indomitable will, showing us how to face what we must all face – our own “passovers,” our own passing over from this life into the next. True to his office, true to his vocation, true to his lifetime of leadership, true to all that it means to be a bishop of the Church, he was leading us still – with strength, steadfastness, determination, and complete acceptance of God’s will, no matter what may come. With Bishop Mengeling officiating, we all celebrated the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, followed by prayers for the dying. Their beauty moved me. The solemnity of the moment pressed down on me. Here was a bishop saying his goodbye and blessing a brother bishop, doing so in the midst of family as well as among the priests Bishop Povish served so well. There were tears. Holding a crucifix before Bishop Povish’s eyes, Bishop Mengeling prayed: “Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you, go forth, faithful Christian. “May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph and all the angels and saints.” After celebrating the sacrament of anointing and praying the prayers for the dying, we sang two beautiful hymns in Latin. Latin! – the language he loved and the language he taught his students with such care, precision and diligence. One hymn was an old one, a very old one, which began with the words, In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum – “Into your hands I commend my spirit,” words drawn from Psalm 31, the final words of Jesus dying on His cross. The other hymn is familiar to many of you, especially if you have ever attended the funeral of a priest in the Diocese of Lansing – “Salve Regina.” We sing it as the body of our brother priest is being processed out of the church to be taken to a cemetery and there buried. But on this “good” Friday, gathered as his Church of Lansing in his hospice room at St. Lawrence Hospital, we sang it just before each one of us individually went to his bed, bent over his ear and personally bade him farewell. May the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of our diocese and our Mother, receive him. And, dear Bishop: May the angels lead you into paradise; May the martyrs come to welcome you And take you to the holy city, The new and eternal Jerusalem. May the choir of angels welcome you. Where Lazarus is poor no longer, May you have eternal rest. Pax tecum! – Fr. Charlie Irvin is the founding editor of FAITH and is living an active retirement in DeWitt.
we mourn
– funeral photography by Thomas Gennara
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bishops including Cardinal Maida of Detroit, government leaders and representatives from many other faiths gathered with the people of the Church of Lansing for the funeral Mass of Bishop Povish.
a Bishop Mengeling speaks at one of 10 prayer services held during the three days before the funeral.
b At one of the prayer services, Fr. Bernard Reilly smiles in remembrance of Bishop Povish as he gives a eulogy.
c This mourner was one of hundreds who came to attend a prayer service, pay their last respects and/ or view a historical display about Bishop Povish prepared by the diocesan archives. d Msgr. Michael Murphy, rector of
St. Mary Cathedral and moderator of the curia, prays.
e The procession into the cathedral the morning of the funeral was led by seminarians.
f Permanent deacons participate in the funeral Mass. g Many women religious also came to the funeral.
h The Book of Gospels lays atop Bishop Povish’s casket. Behind, are some of the priests Bishop Povish ordained who will serve as his pallbearers. From left: Frs. Kim, Reyna, McKean, Munley and Lugger. i Bishop Murray of Kalamazoo gives the homily for the funeral. j Bishops Mengeling and Donovan
Excerpts from Bishop Murray’s homily at Bishop Povish’s funeral
I have no hesitation in saying that K.J.P – Kenneth Joseph Povish – was an exemplary bishop of the Catholic Church. He was a model of hard work, charity, humility, simple life style and growth in grace. He was a paradigm of the authentic holiness to which every bishop is called and aspires. To the faithful readers of his column, “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” in The Catholic Times, to those who heard his excellent homilies, to his often vanquished Scrabble opponents, Bishop Povish was a proven master of our English language. He was an effective teacher in the classroom, with both the written and the spoken word, above all in the pulpit. Once I had the courage to tell him his singing defied description! Bishop Povish was a loving brother to you, his sisters Barbara and Ione; a proud uncle to his nieces and nephews; a good shepherd to the laity of Lansing and Crookston; a father and friend to his priests. ... Bishop Povish chose as his episcopal motto the words of Jesus in answer to skeptical critics who had found fault with his healing of a paralytic on a Sabbath day. In a lengthy response to them, our Lord said, “I have testimony greater than John (the Baptist), namely, the works the Father has given me to accomplish.” (John 5:36) “To accomplish His work.” On the eve of his suffering and death, Jesus used those words again as part of His High Priestly prayer to His Father. They aptly describe Bishop Kenneth J. Povish’s life and conduct. At the same time, they express our collective prayer for this faithful servant of God’s Word. “(Father) He has given you glory by finishing the work you gave me to do. Do you now, Father, give (him) glory at your side?” (John 17:4-5) – Most Rev. James Murray is the bishop of Kalamazoo; former moderator of the curia under Bishops Povish and Mengeling
bow before the Eucharistic gifts.
k Msgrs. Groshek, Fedewa and Raica pray during the Mass.
l Cardinal Adam Maida offers his remarks at the end of the Mass.
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a Barbara Calhoun gives a stirring and moving eulogy for her brother, Bishop Povish. She says her brother loved the people of the Diocese of Lansing and was known to pray for them wherever he went.
b Bishop Carl Mengeling smiles in reaction to Barbara Calhoun’s lighthearted story about Bishop Povish, who in the first few days of his retirement, woke up, turned off the alarm and said to himself, “Poor Carl.”
c Cardinal Adam Maida incenses the casket of Bishop Povish. The prayer of commendation ends with the cardinal saying, “Give him eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him forever.” The people respond, “Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High.” d After 20 years as bishop, Kenneth Povish is taken down the aisle of St. Mary Cathedral for the last time. e Priest pallbearers carry Bishop
Povish’s body down the front steps of the cathedral while his family follows.
f The sun shines outside St. Mary Cathedral, as Bishop Povish’s body makes its way to the hearse. After it is placed inside, each bishop then sprinkles holy water on the casket before the motorcade takes him to his final resting place.
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remembering Bishop Povish
Interviews by Patricia Majher What I remember most about Bishop Povish was his incredible sense of humor. One Sunday during Lent, I was waiting with him to begin the opening processional at the cathedral. He turned to me and asked, “What song are we supposed to sing?” I reminded him we’d picked Lord, Throughout These 40 Days. He laughed and said, “Sometimes I call that ‘Lord, Throw Out These 40 Days!’” That made me laugh out loud, right before we stepped down the aisle. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve him. – Sandy Soltysiak, St. Mary Cathedral parishioner and lay minister
I’ve been a member of St. Mary Cathedral choir for 55 years, and sang at Bishop Povish’s installation and many of his Masses. He was a reverent man with a warm approach. So close to the people! During his homilies, he would share his personal experiences and show how the Gospel could be applied to our daily lives. He really connected with us. – Margaret Perrone, St. Mary Cathedral parishioner and choir member
It’s because of Bishop Povish that we have a Hispanic ministry in this diocese. He was the first one to say, “We will have an office!” In fact, we founded our office three years before a national pastoral plan for Hispanic ministries was drafted. Though the bishop didn’t speak Spanish per se, he learned to say the Mass in Spanish – even his homilies – so he could visit the migrant camps and bring God’s Word to them. He had a good grasp of the needs of our people. Always a kind word, making people feel at ease. – Serapio Hernandez, director of the Hispanic/migrant ministry
The bishop had a gift for seeking advice, finding the best answer and moving forward. And he never backed away from anything that was difficult. I remember when he came to the diocese and hosted an assembly of parish councils. They told him the diocese was getting too top-heavy. So he decided to restructure and downsize the administration. We had an in-service day to explain the changes to the staff, and everyone was invited to put their questions in a fishbowl. He didn’t leave until every question was answered and he never flinched, no matter how tough the topic. Another tough time was when he had to suppress two parishes in Ypsilanti and create a new one. Some parishioners picketed his decision, but he didn’t back down. Instead, he assured the people that whatever help they needed in making the transition, he would be there for them. He had a consultative style, but he wasn’t afraid to take action. I often heard him say, “I will do what needs to be done.” On a lighter note, he hated green beans. We were under strict orders never to put them on the menu of an event he was attending. – Sr. Rita Wenzlick, chair of the Dept. of Diocesan Ministries, Diocese of Lansing
I first met the bishop at our (Council of Catholic Women) national convention in Flint and found him to be very cooperative with the council. He always had time to listen to our needs and wants. In fact, he listened to us all day long at our conventions! He served as our national episcopal moderator for 10 years and all the women loved him. He made friends all over the country. He also helped us on a diocesan level, meeting us for breakfast at the Flap Jack restaurant at Frandor to talk about our plans. We could throw out ideas to him and he’d always guide us to make better decisions. When he retired, we raised money to send him on a trip to Europe. That’s how much we cared about him. – Francis Michalek, volunteer, diocesan archives; former province director, Council of Catholic Women
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Knights of Columbus honor guard, Msgr. Lunsford, Bishop Murray and Msgr. Murphy, followed by Bishop Mengeling, lead Bishop Povish’s body to the grave site at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing.
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guard gave color and dignity to the entire week of Bishop Povish’s funeral. Bishop Povish was a strong advocate of the Knights. When he came to the diocese there were 26 councils. When he retired there were at least 58. In 1994, he was recognized as their first “Man of the Year.”
c In a moving gesture, the Knights of Columbus honor guard place the tips of their swords on the casket of Bishop Povish. d Bishop Povish is buried next to
Bishops Albers and Zaleski. Bishop Mengeling presides over the committal ceremony – the end of a funeral liturgy that began four days earlier. He ends with the words, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.” The people respond, “And let perpetual light shine upon him.”
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He had an intense prayerfulness, a deep charitable concern for people – a burning charity, you might say. And, he could see the potential in each of us. I first met him in the 1970s, when I was serving as a youth minister at St. John’s in Davison. After he was installed as bishop of the Lansing Diocese, he called me on the phone and invited me to head up the office of the permanent diaconate, despite the fact that I was not a deacon myself. Over time, he talked to me about the calling, asked me to consider becoming ordained. And, in 1990, with his blessing, I accepted God’s will for me. During his tenure, 66 men made the same decision I did. Bishop Povish was a brilliant man, a learned man. But he could talk to anybody, children or adults. He truly was a man for others. – Dcn. John Cameron, Diocese of Lansing Tribunal defender of the bond; former director of the permanent diaconate
Bishop Povish was a kind, thoughtful, generous person. He knew all the priests in the diocese on a first name basis. He even knew our families by name. He once called my brother in Denver when he found himself there on Church business. And that caring nature extended to his efforts to establish the Bishop’s Council on Alcoholism. Building a coalition of volunteers from around the diocese, he made that council happen, was quick to act when any concern was expressed about a fellow priest. Not to criticize, but to help. He was always there to help. Recently, when I celebrated my 40th anniversary as a priest, he came to show his support, even though he was obviously in pain. The bishop was an inspiration to all priests. And a tough Scrabble player, too. – Msgr. Richard Groshek, pastor, St. Pius X, Flint; former director of charities
He was a real, down-to-earth person, never putting on airs. He demonstrated that when he sold the episcopal mansion and moved into a regular house. And he was inclusive, always seeking the opinions of others and trying to build consensus. He used to say that his style took longer, but the result lasted longer, too. When the lack of priests in the diocese forced us to close a parish in Flint, he agonized over the decision. Out of his grief came the idea of pastoral coordinators who could assume some of the duties of priests and keep our mission parishes alive. Our diocese was among the first in the country to do that. And it worked; we saw new churches built and parishes continued to grow. I’ve heard it said that Bishop Albers was a builder, Bishop Zaleski was a theologian, and Bishop Povish was a pastor, in the fullest sense of the word. And speaking of words, I’ve never seen anyone enjoy The New York Times crossword puzzle more than he. Of course, he did it in ink. – Fr. Bob McGraw, pastor, St. Michael, Grand Ledge; former director of vocations and priestly formation
He was once a teacher himself, so he was very supportive of our efforts. Under his direction, we developed a policy book governing all aspects of Catholic education and established a more direct reporting structure between our high schools and his office. He also insisted on a formal program of formation for lay ministers – including those involved in religious education and youth activities – to make sure those people had the academic background to meet the challenges of their commitments. He was very visible in the schools and at advisory board meetings. People always knew where he stood. As a boss, he was super – always accessible, easy to sit down and talk to, a good listener. And he supported our professional development, even allowing me to take a fellowship in Washington, D.C., because he knew it would benefit me. He brought honor to the diocese. – Bruce Fech, retired director of education and catechesis
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For more, including letters, essays and eulogies log onto FAITHmag.com
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Our brother, the bishop By Barbara Calhoun, Bishop Povish’s sister
By Ione Fernung, Bishop Povish’s sister
For the past 30-some years, Ken visited his family in Florida twice a year – at Easter and Thanksgiving. These were special times for all of us! We’d plan feverishly for his time here – making his favorite meals ahead of time and freezing them so that when he came, we’d have a lot of time to “goof off.” For me, it meant polishing the chandelier in the dining room and cleaning the china cabinet so everything would shine. Only did the chores twice a year – when he visited!
Since I live only about four hours away, Ken and I got to visit quite often. His visits to us were usually during the week of Christmas, New Year’s and late spring or early summer. Since there are four generations of us in Kokomo, there was plenty of noise and activity. He was always happy and ready to go home after three days! While in Kokomo, he was determined to keep up his exercises. If the weather was good, he’d walk the neighborhood or Highland Park. On rainy days, he would go to the mall and walk there.
His trips here gave him the occasion to spoil his nieces and nephews. When they were young, it meant trips to 7-11 where they were able to get bags of sweets. When they grew older, it meant going to Pizza Hut. When our grandchildren came along, they were the ones who got “treated.” They affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Bishop.” While in Sarasota, he stayed at the rectory of our parish, Church of the Incarnation, where the priests always made him feel welcome. During his last visit here (January 2001, for a nephew’s wedding) and while recovering from a recent round of chemo, he was asked about his health by one of the associates. His response was, “For 50 years I’ve been telling people about the wonders of God’s kingdom and now that it’s my turn to go, I’m ready to leave.” We all enjoyed that comment. I remember especially how faithful he was to the Liturgy of the Hours. At Incarnation, the living quarters of the clergy were along the rear of the building – with a fenced-in grassy area and a sidewalk. Ken scared the daylights out of our priests on several occasions while they were still asleep, but awakened by someone outside their windows chanting Morning Prayer! I often wondered, too, what our neighbors thought of this person in shorts and Nikes, with his breviary in hand, walking around our house at twilight, singing during evening prayers. And even in DeWitt, he walked while praying the “office.” If weather permitted and he felt good, he prayed while walking the driveway. If it was too cold, or he didn’t feel good, he paced his small apartment and prayed. And we all know that God listened. Micah 6:8 says, “You have been told O Man what is good and what the Lord requires of you: only to do the right, love goodness and to walk humbly with your God.” I believe KJP did.
In most of our spare time, we would play his favorite game, Scrabble. I remember especially when the fiftieth edition of Scrabble came out and he bought each of his sisters the game. The highlight for me was that I won the inaugural game and he wrote the date on the inside cover of the game: 8/3/99. People who knew him also knew he would never eat green beans, fish or mushrooms. Yet he would always ask me to make Mom’s green bean soup for him. Any leftovers he would ask to take home in Tupperware. One of my favorite memories is when Ken, Barb, Bob and I made a “sentimental journey” to Alpena to visit. He rode up and down the streets reliving memories. We drove past the two homes we lived in as kids. We laughed a lot about getting lost behind the Alpena cement plant and ended up way north of the city on a two-lane dirt road. This from a man who said he knew where he was going!! He was a very helpful brother, uncle, great-uncle and greatgrand uncle. He will be greatly missed. Above: Bishop Povish enjoys what would be one of his final visits with his two sisters, Ione on the left and Barbara in the middle. Janet, his third sister, is deceased.
C. Jones
Perhaps you are like many readers of FAITH Magazine and you would turn to this page first – the last page – because you knew each issue ended with a last word from Bishop Povish. Though other items will fill this space, nothing can replace the inspiration and wisdom Bishop Povish brought to this page and into our hearts. His words and his writings are his legacy. They will live long after us if we take them into our hearts, make them our own and share them with others. After all, his words were meant to bring us to Jesus, our Lord. If we pass them along, the last word will last a very long time.
– FAITH Magazine
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Bishop Povish worked right until he died finishing the manuscript for his first book – a collection of his writings. Look for it in bookstores soon. For more information, log onto FAITHmag.com
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