Community says goodbye to Tobin

One of the faithful said the bishop had a way of leading by example.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Among the traits Peter Tedde said he would remember most fondly about Bishop Thomas J. Tobin are his leadership qualities.
Tedde, 47, a lifelong member of the Diocese of Youngstown and a Hubbard resident, said Tobin had an excellent way of "leading by example."
Geri Deane, secretary of vowed religions and continuing education of priests, called Tobin "a very spiritual man," and added he was someone who was "easy to relate to in all aspects."
Several other members of St. Columba Cathedral echoed similar sentiments about Tobin.
Deane and Tedde were among several hundred people who gathered at a reception Sunday at the cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave. The occasion was bittersweet: Its purpose was to honor Tobin, 57, but it was also set up as a farewell, because the bishop will soon be leaving, after having served nine years as leader of the local Catholic diocese.
New calling
In a few weeks, Tobin will be installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Providence. The 679,000-member diocese covers all of Rhode Island, a state in which an estimated 64 percent of its 1.1 million residents are Catholics.
Tobin will replace Bishop Robert Mulvee, who resigned in February.
Before the banquet-style reception, Tobin delivered his last sermon to a near-capacity crowd at St. Columba as part of an hourlong Feast of Pentecost Mass. During the liturgy, Tobin thanked the congregation for its support and added he was grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Diocese of Youngstown.
"It's been a wonderful time in my life," Tobin said.
During much of his sermon, Tobin sounded several contemporary themes in which he said the Holy Spirit calls on people to look beyond themselves by serving the poor and leading virtuous lives. He added that God also asks people to strive toward personal growth.
Looking back
Tobin said that one of his favorite means of service was stopping at area schools. He shared a story of a time he visited a class of third-graders and told them they would never get into trouble if they followed the Ten Commandments.
One boy asked the bishop if he had ever broken any of the commandments, and he admitted he had. Tobin said the boy then wanted to know which ones.
"I'm not going to tell you," Tobin said he told the boy. The congregation responded with laughter.
Plans
Before he leaves, Tobin will conduct an ordination of two priests May 28. Ordained will be Christopher Luoni and Matthew Shelton.
No date has been set for naming Tobin's replacement. That process could take between six and 12 months, and the new bishop could be someone from the Mahoning Valley or from out of state.
Before coming to Youngstown, Tobin, a native of Pittsburgh, served as auxiliary bishop in that city's diocese. He will stay on as Youngstown's diocesan administrator until May 31 before leaving for Providence.
The Youngstown Diocese includes Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Stark, Ashtabula and Portage counties.