A Life of Service
On May 23, 1998 – just about one week before he celebrated a Golden Jubilee with his sister, Antonia, who professed her vows as Sister Ancilla Rodríguez, MEF, in 1948; and about three weeks before the Diocese of Lubbock turned 15 years-old – Bishop Rodríguez celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
He has already given a long and fruitful ministry to the Church, but he is young and healthy... and all who work with him agree that the “best is yet to come” for, in the words of the late Cardinal Bernardin, this “man of great faith, wholly committed to the church, a prayerful man of beautiful simplicity...”
In addition to his work as the principal pastor, administrator, and teacher of the Diocese of Lubbock, Bishop Rodríguez has served – and continues to serve – in a number of capacities beyond the diocesan borders, as well.
Some of his appointments have included service on the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Hispanic Affairs, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on the Laity, the U.S. Bishops’ Campaign for Human Development, and the U.S. Bishops’ Liaison Committee with the Conference of Major Superiors.
Bishop Rodríguez also serves as a director for the Midwest Hispanic Catholic Commission board in South Bend, Indiana; the Kenedy Foundation in Corpus Christi; the Safer Foundation in Chicago; the Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital board in Chicago; and, the Saint Mary of the Plains Hospital board in Lubbock.
The bishop -- who has been granted an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Loyola University in Chicago and the President’s Award from Montay College of Chicago -- is also a member of the Lubbock Ministerial Alliance.
When Bishop Rodríguez was just a boy, his father told him that “a priest is a servant of God and of the people. His life at times can be hard because of the sacrifices he must make. If you really don’t want to be a priest, don’t go to the seminary. If you do, then go with my blessings.” His father is, no doubt, very proud of his son, of the decision he made, and of the life of priestly service he has lived.
Continue Reading
A Life of Service
