Bishop John S. Bonnici arrived at St. Joseph’s Seminary to applause and warm greetings for his farewell luncheon on Thursday, February 19. The Bishop-designate for the Diocese of Rochester was celebrated for his decades of good work within the archdiocese. Archbishop Ronald Hicks, Archbishop-emeritus Cardinal Dolan, Vicar General Monsignor LaMorte, and his fellow auxiliary bishops were in attendance to wish him well.

On Wednesday, January 7, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, 79, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Rochester, and appointed Bishop Bonnici as his successor. Along with serving as an auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese, Bishop Bonnici is the pastor of the combined parish of St. Augustine, and St. Peter and St. Paul in Larchmont. Ordained on June 22, 1991, and appointed a bishop on January 25, 2022, by Pope Francis.

Many took to the lectern to proclaim their love for their brother bishop throughout the lunch. Bishop James Massa, the rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, opened by saying, “The prayers of this seminary go with you as you begin this new mission in Rochester.” Cardinal Dolan took the time to show what Bishop Bonnici’s time as his auxiliary bishop meant to him. “John, you know how much we love and appreciate you, and how much in a way we hate to lose you. But we do believe that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away… I had hoped to give you a full squad of auxiliaries, Archbishop Hicks, but the Holy Father had something else in mind. So, John, you go with our love, and you go with our prayers, and you go with our gratitude.”

‘You go with our love’

Archbishop Ronald Hicks, during his first trip to St. Joseph’s Seminary, said, “I say goodbye to my brother, Bishop John Bonnici. He’s going to be great there. He says he’s been watching me with the installation for everything he should be doing coming up, but you are going to be great, and they are very blessed and lucky to have you.”

As the lunch drew to a close, Bishop Bonnici expressed his gratitude for the warm reception. “I’m grateful for this event. It’s bittersweet. I’m going to miss all of you. I’ve gotten to know many of you not only through class but throughout the Confirmation seasons… You are an inspiration. I will remember you in prayer.”

Closing prayer and a portrait of Mary

To end the event, Bishop Joseph Espaillat came forward to lead the closing prayer. He shared a story of connection between himself and Bishop Bonnici through a portrait of the Virgin Mary that hung in the seminary refectory. Upon recollection, Bishop Bonnici looked at the framed portrait still hanging there for this special event, bringing his years of service into sharp focus.

Bishop Espaillat continued the prayer by quoting Jeremiah 3:15. “We thank you, faithful Father, for raising among us your faithful servant and son, our brother, Bishop Bonnici, a shepherd after your own heart. Today, we pray that he may continue to be an effective shepherd in word and action; in love and patience; and in holiness of life… Although we are saddened by our brother’s leaving this archdiocese, his home. We pray that you continue to shower graces and charisms on him in his new home in Rochester.” To end the closing prayer, Bishop Espaillat asked for intercession from each of the patron saints of Bishop Bonnici’s previous parish assignments to pray for him in his new installation on Thursday, March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.

After the event, Bishop Bonnici remained to talk and catch up with those that he has served with throughout his time in the Archdiocese of New York.