It stands to reason that if you work long enough for the Catholic Church, you’re going to have to say hello and good-bye to a few bishops.

For me, this past October marked the 20th year of working for a diocese (first Metuchen, now Trenton), and the arrival of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., marks the fifth bishop for whom I’ve worked. The transitions from one bishop to the next have been just as different as the bishops were and are themselves – no two the same; each having its own distinct impact on you, your colleagues and the wider diocesan family.

The current transition from Bishop John M. Smith to Bishop O’Connell presents its own unique scenario and finds many of us experiencing a spectrum of emotions. On one end of the spectrum are the gratitude, excitement and optimism we feel in knowing that Pope Benedict XVI has chosen as our next bishop a man who is clearly determined to make a real difference and address some of the most difficult challenges now facing the diocese and the wider Church.

We have already warmed to his direct and engaging management style and feel energized by his enthusiasm and interest in our work.

At the other end of the spectrum, of course, is the realization of how much we will miss working for Bishop Smith and interacting with him on a regular basis. Bishop Smith is known for many things – his humor, his stories, and his compassion to name a few – but what resonated with many of us most was his sense of appreciation for all that we did. He never failed to tell us how much he valued our efforts; he was very generous in his affirmation and gave us the trust and confidence we needed to do our jobs. We, in turn, sought to meet his expectations and live up to the esteem he so graciously bestowed on us.

Adding to this mix of emotions is the protocol that is followed when a coadjutor succeeds to the see. There is no installation ceremony, no symbolic milestone. Seamlessly, the new bishop takes over and the former bishop steps into his new role as bishop emeritus. Because Bishop Smith will be observing the 50th anniversary of his priesthood this coming spring, it is expected that he will be given a fitting tribute at that time. The Monitor will honor Bishop Smith with a special commemorative issue, and plans are underway to have a wonderful celebration.

That leaves many of us who have worked closely with Bishop Smith over these past few years with a pressing need to tell him how we feel – how much we admire him, how much we have enjoyed working for and with him, and how grateful we are to have shared in his ministry.

I know that I speak for my colleagues and associates here in diocesan administration, as well as the countless clergy, religious and laypersons who have come to know and love Bishop Smith that words alone are simply inadequate to express our feelings. What might best express our love and affection would be our continued work in service to the wonderful initiatives and programs that Bishop Smith has instituted in his 13-year tenure as the Ninth Bishop of Trenton. By sustaining the effort to build ever more vibrant parishes; to support Catholic education; to nurture vocations – both religious and lay, and to expand our evangelization efforts through modern technology and communications, we will be honoring Bishop Smith’s vision of what today’s Church should be.

Through our ongoing service to the Church of Trenton under Bishop O’Connell’s leadership, we will be saying ‘thank you’ to Bishop Smith for all that he has given the Church of Trenton.

We are heartened to learn that one thing we do not have to say to Bishop Smith is good-bye. Bishop has made it clear that he regards the Diocese of Trenton as his home, and that he intends to remain here. He will be maintaining an office in the Pastoral Center, and we hope to see him on a regular basis.

And so, while words aren’t enough, we ask God to bless Bishop John Mortimer Smith with a fruitful ministry as our Bishop Emeritus. We wish for him a joyful retirement, filled with the love of family and friends and the peace in knowing all that he has done to bring the people and parishes of the Diocese of Trenton ever closer to God.

Programming note: In the current episode of The Catholic Corner, Bishop Smith reflects on his 13-year ministry as Chief Shepherd of the diocese. To view the program online, go to www.youtube.com/catholiccorner.

Bennett is associate publisher of The Monitor and the diocesan Chief Communications Officer.