Bishop Fiorenza celebrates 25 years as bishop

Published: 2004-11-19

HOUSTON (CNS) -- Shortly before his jubilee Mass celebrating 25 years as a bishop and 50 years in the priesthood, Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston shrugged modestly when asked if there was a single highlight during his years as priest and bishop. "No moment like that, just having the ability to serve the Gospel and to minister to the people day in and day out during my 50 years of priesthood," he said during a press conference. "I consider it an enormous gift from God to bring the teachings of Jesus to the people of this area. That has been a great privilege, a great joy to me," he said. "I just look at my priesthood as a very special time of blessing that I have received from God." More than 7,500 people packed Houston's Reliant Arena for the jubilee Mass Nov. 5 and they erupted in cheers as Bishop Fiorenza entered the hall.

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