Diocesan Pastoral Center Named in Honor of Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas

By Carissa Krautscheid

The idea of a renovated and dynamic pastoral center began under Bishop Gerald Kicanas’ leadership and required the gifts and contributions of so many dedicated people to turn into a reality. Building the pastoral center was the result of many people who worked tirelessly to make it a possibility, specifically John Shaheen, diocesan property director, and Ernie Nedder, former director of the Catholic Foundation.

“The Cathedral church is the mother church of the Diocese, so there needs to be a center, a heart for the Diocese,” explained Bishop Kicanas. “That’s why I felt we must restore the pastoral center, which was in total disarray. It was a poor reflection of our vibrant Diocese and beautiful city. I’m really thrilled to see more development downtown, people moving downtown, and restaurants opening. There’s a life downtown that wasn’t here 20 years ago when I came. I would hope that Cathedral Square made some contribution to that.”

In addition to supporting the renewal of Downtown Tucson, Bishop Kicanas hoped that a new pastoral center would bring people together and be a place to gather. He had been inspired by a vibrant placita he’d explored in Morocco where people of all kinds gathered in the city to see performances and listen to music – which is reflected now at Cathedral Square.

Sadly, the opening of the new Pastoral Center happened during the pandemic, so there were no events, and the offices were mostly empty. “It’s good to see the building being used!” said Bishop Kicanas. 

In addition to housing Diocesan offices, the Pastoral Center has a 4,600-square-foot ballroom which is a wonderful venue for wedding receptions, benefit dinners and galas, quinceañeras, convocations, or retreats. The iconic grand staircase leads up to the ballroom’s balcony and affords visitors with much-appreciated photo-ops. The first floor of the Pastoral Center features convertible classroom spaces which are used by parish groups, guest speakers, community workshops, and service projects. Outside the Pastoral Center is the beautiful Msgr. Carrillo Placita with its floral arch, raised stage, and patio for outdoor receptions, fiestas, performances, and prayer services. 

Bishop Kicanas’ vision of a revitalized Chancery was made possible through the support of his successor, Bishop Edward Weisenburger. As a small token of gratitude shared by the entire Diocese of Tucson, Bishop Weisenburger decided to name the Chancery in honor of his predecessor. The Diocese’s headquarters will now be known as the Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center.

“Bishop Kicanas’ leadership was an exceptional blessing for our Diocese and came at a critical time,” said Bishop Weisenburger. “While our efforts to express our gratitude to him always fall short of his generosity, this act of naming our pastoral center after Bishop Kicanas is a way that we can remember his faithful service well into the future. I personally look forward to walking through the main entrance of our building, beneath the letters that will bear his name. I likewise pray that each time Bishop Kicanas sees his name above the entrance, he will be reminded of our lasting gratitude.”

The announcement was made public at the Catholic Foundation’s annual Cornerstone Gala. “I was surprised and almost in shock that the Pastoral Center would be named after me,” recalled Bishop Kicanas. He smiled, thinking of his parents. “As an only son with no one else to carry on the Kicanas name, I think my father would be thrilled to see the family name on the building.”
 

The Legacy of Bishop Kicanas

Bishop Kicanas led the Diocese of Tucson from 2003 to 2017. “When I came to Tucson,” he recalled, “I knew nothing about the Diocese. I had only been here twice before during retreats, but I fell in love with the desert. I really loved the cacti and beauty of this place. I remember how hot it was. I love heat, so I didn’t mind it at all! When I got word that I would be coming to Tucson, it was a shock because I never really thought of living in the Southwest. But since coming here, I’ve met some incredibly wonderful people in a Diocese that has so many blessings.”

When he arrived in Tucson, Bishop Kicanas didn’t know any of the priests. “Meeting the clergy was perhaps one of the greatest blessings: meeting people so dedicated to the Church and its mission. I always felt the support of the people here. I’ve met so many people all around the Diocese. I loved going to the rural areas, copper mines, and Yuma – the people there are incredibly good. That energized me and motivated me to do my best because people are working so hard. We have a beautiful Diocese – very diverse! Yuma is so different from Payson or Mammoth, which are so different from Apache Junction, Sierra Vista, and Nogales. All of that is energizing to me. There is a beauty to every piece of the Diocese.”

Through his time as Bishop of Tucson, Bishop Kicanas left a legacy that will continue to inspire the local Catholic community and beyond. 

“I was always thrilled to go into our schools,” he said, “to see the young people and the tremendous impact of Catholic education, and the dedication of people involved with that. We were very blessed to have an opportunity to work with the legislature in developing ways that parents could choose where they wanted to send their children to school. Really, Arizona is a model for allowing parents to make choices in terms of the best educational opportunity for their child.”

Another area that became a very important part of his ministry was uncovering the plight of the migrant. “Very soon after coming here, I had the opportunity to go to Sonora, Mexico. That was a very powerful experience because it was the first time I really understood, in a very poignant way, the struggle of people who are trying to survive: fleeing danger, fleeing economic distress, and seeking a better life, mainly for their children. Meeting people, hearing their stories, and listening to their struggles became a very important part of the mission here in this Diocese because we are a border diocese.

“I’m so grateful to Bishop Weisenburger who has picked up the baton and led the Diocese really effectively through another challenging time: the pandemic,” said Bishop Kicanas.

The two Bishops collaborate often, and Bishop Kicanas is always willing to help whenever needed, particularly at Confirmations. Since he retired five years ago, Bishop Kicanas has been very active across the country. He serves as Board Chair of the National Catholic Education Association, Vice Chancellor of Catholic Extension, and Bishop Liaison to Catholic Cemeteries. He is on the USCCB’s Catholic Education Committee and the Foundation Board of Catholic Relief Services. “These are really important opportunities for me to see the Church alive in different ways,” he said.

Bishop Kicanas continues to lead many retreats for priests, bishops, and seminarians across the country. “These are all really inspiring to see the dedication of our priests around the country who are working very hard under very difficult circumstances. There’s a huge shortage of priests, which is a big interest of mine, in terms of the future of the Diocese. I know that’s also a concern for Bishop Weisenburger. We have wonderful deacons and laity, but the shortage right now is of priests to be able to pastor our communities. I know Bishop Weisenburger is working hard to foster Vocations. The big thrill will be this June when five of our men are ordained to be priests. I had a chance to be with them when they began, so it’s exciting to see them get ordained.”

Bishop Kicanas has impacted the Diocese of Tucson and our universal Church in countless ways. His legacy will leave a lasting mark on our community, including one humble way through the naming of the new Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center.