Senate Concurrent Resolution 669

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF BISHOP EMERITUS WILLIAM HOUCK OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF JACKSON.

WHEREAS, it was announced with a heavy heart and great sadness that Bishop Emeritus William Houck of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson passed away on March 9, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck, 89, was ordained in 1979 by Pope John Paul II into the Sacred Order of Bishops and installed as the ninth Bishop of Jackson on June 5, 1984. He retired in 2003, but remained involved in church life attending liturgies and other Parish events; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck grew up in the Catholic school system and attended St. Bernard Prep Seminary in Cullman. Bishop Thomas J. Toolen ordained Houck on May 19, 1951, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile. In addition to his Parish assignments, Houck was quickly put into the ministry of Catholic education. Eventually he received a Master's degree from The Catholic University of America and became Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the then Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck was a lifelong Educator. He held teaching and school administrative positions in Pensacola, Florida (1951-1957) and in Birmingham, (1957-1979). He was serving as Secretary for Education, Superintendent, Principal of John Carroll High School in Birmingham and Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, when he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Jackson in early 1979; and

WHEREAS, on May 27, 1979, Pope John Paul II (now St. John Paul) ordained Houck into the Sacred Order of Bishops. He served with Bishop Joseph B. Brunini until Brunini retired in 1984. The Pope then named Houck the ninth Bishop of Jackson, and he was installed on June 5, 1984; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck was an Emeritus Member of the Board of Governors of the Catholic Church Extension Society; the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference and the Board of Hospice Ministries, Inc. At the time of his death, he was serving on the U.S. Bishops Administrative Committee. During his tenure as Bishop, Houck focused on many issues involving education and evangelization; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck was a past board member of the several national Catholic boards, and the Mississippi Governor's Task Force on Infant Mortality. He was also President of Ecumenical Health Care Organization for Whispering Pines, a hospice ministry for AIDS patients whose families had abandoned them; and

WHEREAS, while still serving as Bishop of the Diocese, Pope John Paul, at the request of Cardinal Francis George, appointed Houck President of the Catholic Church Extension Society of America in 2001. Catholic Extension supports mission dioceses such as our Diocese in the United States. Houck continued to serve as Bishop, splitting his time between the Diocese and Chicago (Extension's headquarters), until January 3, 2003, when Bishop Joseph Latino was appointed Bishop of Jackson and Houck's retirement was accepted by the Pope. He remained President of Catholic Extension until retiring in 2007 and returning to Jackson; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, Houck continued his involvement in Diocesan, Chancery and Cathedral life. His presence at liturgies and Parish events was a testament to his ongoing desire to be engaged in church life; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus are honoring Bishop Houck at their State Convention in Natchez, Mississippi, April 22-24. Bishop Houck often thanked his Knights for their generosity and work; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Houck is survived by his sister, Mildred "Millie" Houck Reilly (Warren) of Mobile, Alabama; his brother-in-law, Richard J. Hebert of Jennings, Louisiana; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Elizabeth "Bettye" Houck Hebert; and his brother, Dr. Raymond L. Houck; and

WHEREAS, an advocate for the less fortunate among us, Bishop Houck was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage, and he will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known his special wisdom and charitable leadership:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Bishop Emeritus William Houck of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, and extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature to his bereaved Jackson Diocese.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bishop John Kopacz representing the surviving family and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.