ONE ON ONE | Bishop Thomas J. Tobin Award-winning column from a pillar of church

What did your dad do?
My dad worked for Sears in Pittsburgh for almost 30 years.
What made you decide not to go into the hardware business?
From early on, even in elementary school, I thought about being a priest.
Did you get the call?
There is certainly some call, some attraction, but it comes in lots of small and sometimes intangible ways. There was not any one dramatic moment, that 'This is it.' I think it evolves, more than explodes. Certainly the influence of my parents was very strong. The reason I chose that particular path is still somewhat of a mystery. The pope refers to his vocation as a gift and a mystery, and I guess that's how I would describe my own.
Do you have any heroes?
The pope is certainly my hero in the spiritual life. I think he's a spectacular man.
Did you expect to become bishop?
(Laughs) No, not at all. When I visit our elementary schools, the children often ask me, 'Why did you want to become a bishop.' I often answer somewhat in jest, 'I'm still not sure I want to be bishop.' Becoming a bishop was something unexpected and in many ways I suppose undeserved.
Have you always written?
The opportunity to write on a regular basis in some public format really came about when I became bishop.
Were you surprised by the positive reaction?
Yes, I was pretty surprised by that and obviously pleased by that.
How did the idea for the book come about?
It was suggested by a number of people in the diocese who said you should put them together in a book. I thought 'Maybe we can do that.'
What's the best thing about being bishop?
I guess what I enjoy the most is the opportunity of getting out and around the diocese and into our parishes and into our schools. It's the time I feel most like a bishop, when I'm in the midst of our people and in the midst of our children.
People say you are approachable.
If I've tried to do anything in the six years I've been here, it's to be present in the diocese. That's also one of the challenges.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy walking, I enjoy watching sports on television. I find some light reading relaxing. On rare occasion I play some golf and on rarer occasions play some racquetball.
How do keep up with the demands of the job?
I'm a very organized person, perhaps to a fault. The other thing that's very important is that I need to remind myself frequently that I am doing my very, very best, but ultimately I'm not in charge. I will do my best from a human perspective, but ultimately God is in charge. That gives me some measure of peace.
Do you have a Christmas message?
Christmas is about the presence of God in our lives, and we need to recognize the relevance of God in our daily lives. God is relevant and our faith is relevant in every activity of our daily life. That's what the birth of Jesus -- that's what Immanuel, God with us -- is all about.
How will you celebrate Christmas?
I'll have morning Mass at the Cathedral on Christmas morning and then go to Pittsburgh and spend a few hours with the family.
Any place you go to get away from it all?
My favorite vacation spot is anywhere near a beach. I have a special affection for Sanibel, Fla.
What's your pet peeve?
My strongest pet peeve is negative, critical, divisive people. They aren't fun to be around. My pet peeve of local interest are long waits at red lights when there's no traffic.
Anyone you'd like to have dinner with?
The one person alive is Arnold Palmer, after playing 18 holes of golf with him at Augusta National golf course -- if he would still dine with me after watching me play golf.