Sign unveiled during dedication for Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center

By Mary Lim  

The Diocese “headquarters” located in Downtown Tucson, known as the Pastoral Center, have finally seen the use that it was intended for since Bishop Kicanas first envisioned a lively Downtown where “people are welcome, where we can celebrate and enjoy each other’s company, and where we can pray together.”   

On Monday, December 19, 2022, Pastoral Center staff, Diocese of Tucson priests, and Bishop Weisenburger gathered for a celebration of Bishop Kicanas’ vision and leadership that made the Pastoral Center a reality. The Center was officially named after Bishop Kicanas in a lovely dedication ceremony – the Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center.  

Read about the dedication announcement 

Since the center’s completion in Spring of 2019, the building went widely unused due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, but in the past couple of years, diocesan employees have been able to transition back to in-office work, and events have been bringing more vibrance to the once quiet Cathedral Square.  

Diocesan Property Director, John Shaheen, opened up the ceremonies with a brief and lighthearted story of how the Bishop’s vision was first introduced. John started working at the Diocese in 2002, and it was his understanding that his job was to work on beautifying and updating the buildings and facilities of the diocesan real estate on Cathedral Square. But “Bishop’s vision was more grand,” says John.  

John recounted that in 2014, Bishop Kicanas approached him saying, “I’m retiring in two years and we need to build a building, how long does that take?” John told him it would take five years. “No! It doesn’t take that long!” said Bishop Kicanas. Amidst the chuckles of the attending crowd at the dedication ceremony, John confirmed that it would indeed take five years, and despite Bishop’s surprise, it did take the full five years to complete the building.  

Employees moved into the Pastoral Center on April 1, 2019. During the building and renovation process, John noted that, “once we started doing work Downtown, many other parts of Downtown also started following suit, building and improving.” It was thanks to Bishop Kicanas’ vision. The updated Cathedral Square “improved the parish (St. Augustine), the Diocese, and the City of Tucson,” said John.  

Bishop Weisenburger then took the stage to thank his predecessor, who has been a friend and mentor to him since he became the Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson in 2017. “Bishop Kicanas shepherded the Diocese of Tucson from 2002 to 2017,” said Bishop Weisenburger, “and he thought he was done after that.” He went on to express his gratitude for Kicanas’ leadership during his official time in office, and during his time ever since, saying that he often consults Bishop Kicanas and turns to him about the happenings in the Diocese, and that Bishop Kicanas always has a patient listening ear, and an assuring word to offer. 

“Bishop Kicanas left a legacy for our diocese, Church, and for the whole community – a legacy which is rich in sacrificial service, dedication, and holy example,” said Bishop Weisenburger. 

Then started the countdown to the unveiling of the sign above the doors of the newly named Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center. The mic was passed on to Bishop Kicanas to do the honors; confetti flew into the air as the drape covering the building’s new title dropped to the ground, and everyone cheered and congratulated Bishop Kicanas for several minutes. 

Bishop Kicanas spoke a few words to end the ceremony. He recalled how he had been sent to Tucson to be the Bishop after having visited only once before for a retreat at the Redemptorist Renewal Center. When he arrived as the new bishop, he knew very little about the Diocese, but what he did know was that the Diocese of Tucson deserved to have a beautiful Cathedral Square.  

“The biggest disappointment when I came in 2001 was the deterioration of Cathedral Square,” said Bishop Kicanas, “which does not reflect who we are as a people in the Diocese of Tucson. This is a beautiful place, with so many beautiful, beautiful people, with many gifts.” He believed that Catheral Square did not reflect the beauty, love, and joy that there was to be found in the community in the Diocese of Tucson, and that needed to change. “We hope that Cathedral Square is a place where people are welcome, where we can celebrate, enjoy each other’s company, and pray together. Hopefully that is what will happen and what has happened here.” 

Bishop Kicanas ended the night with thanksgiving and hope, saying, “It has been a great privilege to serve here with the priests of the Diocese. I am grateful to all who made this building possible. I feel immense gratitude to be able to have served as bishop here, and it is a great joy to see Bishop Weisenburger now as bishop, and what a beautiful job he is doing.” 

Kicanas mentioned that one of his great joys in the last years of his service as bishop was seeing the five men who entered the seminary begin to prepare for their formation to become priests. He looks forward to their ordination coming up this Summer. 

In commemoration of Bishop Kicanas' service to the Diocese of Tucson and of the dedication ceremony that took place in honor of him, guests also enjoyed live music, appetizers, and unique ornament gifts.

Thank you, Bishop Kicanas for your vision which made this community what it is today, and thank you for your undying love and dedication to the Diocese of Tucson! 

View photos from the dedication ceremony