Contributions to the tribute of Bishop Joseph Imesch

3

The family of Bishop Joseph Imesch uploaded a photo

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

3

The family of Bishop Joseph Imesch uploaded a photo

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

J

Janet C. Jurmann posted a condolence

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Bishop Imesch was a good man; a holy man; a genuine, approachable person, priest and servant of God. Bishop Imesch was the reason I returned to the Catholic Church. My friendship with him dates back to the early 1980's. In the mid 1970's I went through an unexpected, painful divorce. It was a very difficult time for me as I was a "cradle Catholic", didn't believe in divorce and never thought that it would happen to me. Upon advice from a priest at the church I attended, I applied for an annulment, went through the entire process....and then it was denied. I was confused and angry. Eventually I wanted to remarry so I left the church. But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, led me elsewhere, to another Christian denomination where I eventually remarried. In the early 1980's God began calling me back to the Catholic Church. It was during this time that I attended a seminar at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center for Separated and Divorced Catholics. Bishop Imesch was the keynote speaker. During his presentation he said that when he was driving there that morning, he was thinking about what he was going to say. He said that a poem came to his mind, a poem entitled "Late Have I Loved Thee." He went on to say that he was sorry that the Church had neglected us for so long. I don't remember much else about that day, only that my heart opened up and the shame and pain that I had felt for so long began to subside. Healing began for me that day. I wrote to Bishop Imesch, thanking him for his heartfelt words and thus began our friendship. I have been very blessed by his friendship and by his Pastoral ministry. I reapplied for an annulment, returned to the Church, and due to changes in the canonical grounds, my annulment was granted. Bishop Imesch was a loving, caring pastor. He was blessed with so many gifts and truly was God's servant. In the words of St.Paul: "You have fought the good fight. You have finished the race. You have kept the faith." Well done, good and faithful servant. You are loved and will be missed. May you rest in peace, Bishop Imesch.

C

Cynthia & Sanford Kramer posted a condolence

Sunday, December 27, 2015

We were very sorry to hear of his passing, he was a very funny, kind gentlemen. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.

J

Judy M Holmes posted a condolence

Friday, December 25, 2015

Archbishop John F. Dearden could not have chosen a better priest to serve as his clergy secretary because he faithfully, fully and lovingly supported the leader of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Council Father for all four sessions of Vatican II and first-elected president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1966, Archbishop Dearden had a busy schedule which meant Msgr. Imesch had a lot to coordinate and keep up with: the archbishop participated in or led numerous meetings locally, nationally and internationally. Throughout these golden years of reform, renewal and exuberance, Msgr. Imesch was an effective and "witty" point person for the archbishop who was later named cardinal in 1969. I met Msgr. Imesch in 1967 while working in the adult education office of the archdiocese. He offered important advice to our office from a clerical perspective and as John Dearden's representative. One image has stayed with me all these years: there he was sitting at a desk, leaning back with his feet on the desk and smoking a cigar. Confident and totally cool! In 1973, he served on the first Archdiocesan Pastoral Council which shared concerns and suggestions with Cardinal Dearden; I served along with him on the Administration Commission. He worked side by side with council members in meeting after meeting. His long-term service and association with Cardinal Dearden were highlighted at an Evening of Remembrance for Cardinal Dearden in Detroit on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, 2003. Sharing the microphone with him were his brother bishops Tom Gumbleton and Ken Untener and friend and former colleague and parishioner, Jane Wolford Huges, the director of the continuing education office. He remembered the cardinal with great fondness and humor. You could always count on him to bring a few laughs to any conversation. Bishop Imesch was given a difficult responsibility in the early 90s: he was asked by the national bishops' conference to chair a commission studying the topic of women in the Church, including women's ordination. But within the Universal Church there was no clear consensus or direction for this much-needed topic, yet he tried to bring some critical perspectives to the discussion. Like his mentor, Cardinal Dearden, Bishop Imesch did what was asked of him, regardless of the challenges. I was especially grateful to him when he agreed to participate in the Cardinal Dearden Legacy Project which I direct. He submitted an essay to express his experience with and admiration of Cardinal Dearden. Currently the book is in process and will be published nationally. When I think of him, I smile because I was blessed to have known and worked with him, but at the same I am saddened that he is no longer here to guide and inspire us. My prayerful sympathy to all who will miss him.

T

The children of Robert and Ann Mulvey of Crest Hill lit a candle

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Bishop Imesh will always hold a place in our family's hearts. Many fond memories of him at our religious family parties. May he celebrate this Christmas with our parents in heaven. And may he rest in peace. Maureen Mulvey-Hasenjaeger, Bob Mulvey, Barbara Mulvey-Fenoglio, Beverly Mulvey-Mccutcheon

Bishop Joseph Imesch

1931 - 2015

Plant a tree in memory of Bishop