Bishop Paul Sirba has died
An important message from our District Master Brad Jacobs:
I just got off the phone with the Navigator from the McGolrick Assembly in Duluth and the details are as follows:
- Honor Guards have been requested for both the wake and funeral. Wake on Thursday Dec 5th from 3-8. 2:30 Assembly in the social hall in the basement of the Cathedral. Funeral will on Friday with a 7:30 AM Assembly in the same location for the visitation from 8-11 with an honor guard for the Mass.
- Everything is taking place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary 2801 East 4th Street Duluth. Again, Assembly will be in the social Hall in the basement of the Cathedral
- There are 3 large parking lots near the Cathedral. One across the street, one down the street at Holy Rosary school and one at the Chancery. All are able to be used.
- Arrive early for the best parking.
- The McGolrick Assembly has only 10 members with the current uniforms so they have a great need and are requesting as much help as possible.
- I know I don’t need to tell any of you how supportive of the knights the Bishop was and that he himself is a 4th degree knight.
- Just FYI I will be staying on Thursday evening at the Radisson Duluth-Harborview hotel in case others are able to and/or planning to do the same. There is no block of rooms or anything just an FYI. My rate was $98 for the night for a double room. They have a restaurant that opens for breakfast at 6:30 AM for anyone interested.
Lastly and most importantly, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN ATTEND AND HAVE OTHERS DO THE SAME. I NEED TO LET THE ASSEMBLY KNOW AND WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COVEED FOR THIS MAJOR EVENT.
The following is from the Diocese of Duluth website. Bishop Paul Sirba was 59 years young and a great friend and member of the Knights of Columbus.
With sad hearts, we share the following message regarding the sudden death of our beloved Bishop Paul Sirba that was sent out to diocesan clergy and employees this morning and which is being announced at Masses today.
Following is the message from Father Bissonette, who has served as Bishop Sirba’s vicar general:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must inform you of tragic news regarding our Bishop. Bishop Paul Sirba suffered cardiac arrest at St. Rose Church in Proctor, MN this morning, December 1st. He was rushed to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, where life-saving measures were attempted, but were unsuccessful. He was attended to by Father John Petrich who administered the last rites to him at the hospital. He was declared to have passed away at just after 9:00 A.M. this morning. Words do not adequately express our sorrow at this sudden loss of our Shepherd. We have great hope and faith in Bishop Sirba’s resurrection to new life, and have confident assurance that he will hear the words of our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter in the joy of your Master.”
Arrangements for Bishop Sirba’s funeral Mass and burial will be forthcoming. Please pray for the repose of Bishop Sirba’s soul, as well as for his mother, Helen, and his siblings, Father Joe, Kathy, and John, and their families. Let us also hold each other up in prayer during this most difficult time.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord …
– And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace …
– Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God …
– Rest in peace, Amen.
Reverend James B. Bissonette
Diocese of Duluth
You may find more details in the coming days by clicking on the link to the Diocese of Duluth website at the bottom of this page.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary located at 2801 East Fourth Street in Duluth, MN, with the praying of the Rosary to take place at 6:00 p.m. and Vigil prayers at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Cathedral on Friday, December 6, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral Mass, burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Duluth. Requiescat in Pace.