Leaders will always remember funny and touching moments

Various diocesan, parish and school leaders were invited to share their favorite memories of Bishop Sartain.

Published: June 24, 2006

For the complete report on Bishop Sartain's six years in Arkansas, see the June 24, 2006, print edition of Arkansas Catholic.

"One of the things I'll miss most is Bishop Sartain's homilies at our Monday liturgies -- his prayerfulness and gentle sense of humor are always refreshing. He takes advantage of every opportunity to connect people. I recall getting an e-mail from a young woman who had just come into the Church. While she was cutting his hair, she expressed a desire to become a catechist, and he immediately encouraged her to contact our office. I was able to put her in touch with her parish DRE and invite her to upcoming catechist formation workshops. She's an outstanding catechist in her parish today.

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"Most of all, I appreciate Bishop Sartain's thoughtful listening, his quiet wisdom and guidance from day to day. His ministry is clearly rooted in his prayer, and it's been a source of God's grace for all of us, as I know it will be for the folks in Joliet. He will be deeply missed."

-- Sandy Compas, associate director, diocesan Religious Education and Christian Initiation Office

"A memory of Bishop Sartain that sticks with me occurred in Warren. He had celebrated confirmation in Monticello in the morning and we postponed the Warren Mass until later so both communities could spend time with him. The reception following the Warren Mass was outside and we only had a couple of hours of daylight. At one point I looked out in what had become darkness and there was the bishop chatting with any and all with whom he came in contact.

"Of course, all there were Spanish-speaking so it took some extra effort on his part; it's hard to pick up on facial expressions in the darkness. He certainly made good on his promise to learn Spanish; his heart learned the 'conjugations' first."

-- Father Chet Artysiewicz, GHM, pastor, St. Mark Church, Monticello

"When we lost our beloved priest Father Joseph Correnti in 2002, we were devastated. Bishop Sartain came to us with words of comfort and wisdom that helped us get through this terrible tragedy, his compassion and love gave way to a light that we all needed to see again. The love of our Lord was renewed through the heart of our bishop."

-- Lynn Cross, secretary, St. Joseph Church, Tontitown

"Bishop Sartain was always so supportive to us as school principals here in Arkansas. He made some very tough decisions, but he led by example in stewardship and his gifts to our schools and parishes. His school visits were always welcome and special to us. He is one of the best I have ever known with names and placing people. He really made you feel important by his 'knowing' who you were."

-- Joe Mallett, principal, St. Joseph School, Conway

"Probably it was the night he had dinner in our home along with five other close friends that touched me most profoundly. One friend was scheduled to have brain surgery in a couple weeks. As he was about to leave, Bishop Sartain asked her if she wished to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Truly it was 'Emmanuel, God with us' as we joined hearts, minds and prayers with Bishop Sartain and our friend."

-- Dr. Carol Siemon, diocesan victim assistance coordinator

"On a very hot Saturday afternoon in June of 2000 I was making a third trip to my office. We had just moved into the renovated Morris Hall and I was anxious to unpack as many boxes as possible over the weekend. It was late in the day, there was not another person parked anywhere within sight, so I drove into the oval at a whopping 25 miles an hour. Just moments later a vehicle that was unfamiliar to me followed me around the oval. The driver came to warn the 'speeder' about safety -- it was our brand new bishop."

-- Cackie Upchurch, director, Little Rock Scripture Study

"Before Bishop Sartain became our bishop, he gave the priests a day of recollection prior to Chrism Mass (in 1996). It was my first Chrism Mass. I had been ordained less than a year. I recall an image he used in one of his talks. He said the priest kisses the altar every day. Some days he comes filled with enthusiasm and joy. Other days he is aware of divisions and problems in the parish. Other days he brings his own sinfulness and that of the people. No matter what he does he comes as he is to be an instrument of God.

"So, I guess my fondest memory of Bishop Sartain is his practical love for his ministry. He is truly a servant of the servants of God. His humility is refreshing and will serve him well as he serves God and his Church in another part of the Lord's pasture."

-- Father Greg Luyet, pastor, St. Michael Church, West Memphis

"Shortly after coming to Little Rock I received a phone call from Bishop Sartain asking if I would be in my office for the next few minutes. He had something he wanted to bring to me. He arrived at my office with Bishop McDonald (who was roped into this!) Bishop Sartain said he had heard "through the grapevine" that I was an Elvis Presley fan and wanted to present me with an official gift (from his hometown) -- a set of Elvis sunglasses with sideburns attached. Those glasses will be a reminder of a bishop who reached out to know and care about those who work here in the diocesan offices."

-- Sister Susan McCarthy, RDC, promotion coordinator, Little Rock Scripture Study

"When Little Rock Scripture Study hired me nearly four years ago, despite my nervousness, everyone assured me meeting the bishop would be a pleasant experience. 'He's so personable,' they told me. 'He'll remember you,' they added. 'He remembers everyone's name. It's a marvelous gift he has.' My experience truly echoed everyone else's, in most respects. The introduction couldn't have been more pleasant. The warm handshake, the wide open smile and the sparkle in his eyes assured me I had met a remarkable man. But for the next month, every time Bishop Sartain saw me, he called me Phil."

-- Clifford Yeary, associate director, Little Rock Scripture Study

"The first time I met Bishop Sartain was shortly after he came to Arkansas. Shortly before this, I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I had been having attacks of dizziness, which lasted from eight to 10 hours at a time, and this was happening every other day. Bishop Sartain mentioned to me that he knew someone with Meniere's Disease and that certainly 'I did have a cross to bear.'

"I never thought about it that way, but in our further conversation he also told me, 'You know, miracles do happen if you pray hard enough and believe.'

"I never forgot his words, and I did pray hard and the attacks began to lessen.

Less than a year later, my husband had a stroke, and thinking of Bishop Sartain's words to me, I prayed to God to never let me have another attack because I needed to be able to take care of my husband. Since that day I have not had another attack of Meniere's Disease."

-- Faye George, secretary, St. Louis Church, Camden

"Bishop Sartain made it possible to expand the Westside Free Medical Clinic services to the Hispanic community in 2002. We acknowledge and thank Bishop Sartain for his continued support. Thank you for tending our sheep with love and care. Bendiciones Siempre!"

- Karen DiPippa, director
- Flor Lopez, program assistant, and the volunteers

Click here for the index of stories about Bishop J. Peter Sartain's six years in Arkansas. For the complete report, see the June 24, 2006 print edition of Arkansas Catholic.