Looking through the Bishop Kenny yearbook over the years, one person’s picture appears on many of the pages that parents dedicate to their children. That person is Bishop John Snyder and the pictures were taken at various confirmations. In restaurants, airports, graduations and other events, young adults come up to him and say: “Hi, Bishop. You confirmed me!” Throughout his 22 years with us, Bishop Snyder has become so much a part of the church in Northeast Florida, a bishop who has faithfully served God’s people and has taught all of us by his word and example. He has done this with grace, dignity and an incredible sense of humor. In the recent edition of the newsletter published by the Diocesan Advisory Board of Education, our school children reflected on Bishop Snyder: the man, priest, and bishop. One story, related by two students from two different schools, has become a part of the lore surrounding our bishop. Someone once asked him if he had any great ambition to become anyone other than who he was. He hesitated and said: “Well, I always wanted to be a Cardinal!” Bishop Snyder then said: “But I never had a good enough curve ball!” From another school, a child reported: “When I became a Catholic, I went to one of your Masses. It was great. Your clothes were awesome. I had never seen a hat like yours.” At an annual “Bishop’s Day” at Bishop Kenny, after liturgy, seniors are invited to a cookout. One senior was overheard saying: “I waited four years for this day.” A second grader said that he was impressed with his attire. “The bishop wore this large silver cross on a chain in the middle of his chest. I think he wears it underneath his shirt when he’s not wearing his official bishop’s outfit.” Bishop Snyder is known for his terrific memory, especially names. A seventh grader wrote: “I once served at a confirmation Mass for him. He was very nice and asked me my name and age. Two years later when I served again, he remembered my name and even figured out how old I was then.” What has emerged over the years is a bishop who knows his flock, who is comfortable with people and a man who can relate to the young very well. The children caught his warm personality and spirituality. His holiness comes from his love for the Eucharist and the Word of God. A child wrote: “You remind me of Jesus because you always care for the poor.” Another said: “My best memory of you is when you came to my house when my brother was hurt and you blessed him with holy oils.” I have tried to capture the spirit of a man who spent so much of his time, along with a myriad of other duties, serving the youth of our diocese — supporting religious education programs, visiting our Catholic schools, showing up at Search retreats, countless confirmations (homilies that are still remembered), youth days, Camp I am Special, Faith and Sharing, and so many other events. He has also supported the Alliance for Catholic Education, a teacher program sponsored by the University of Notre Dame which has sent teachers to our diocese for the past eight years. Recently, the Catholic school community wanted to honor Bishop Snyder. The Bishop John J. Snyder, “Peace in Christ Award” will be given annually to an eighth grader and senior in each school. Students are selected based on their faith, commitment to service and humility, qualities that Bishop Snyder models in his everyday life. Our schools are strong because of his leadership and our students have witnessed, first hand, a man for others. Five benchmarks characterize his vision and support of Catholic education in the Diocese of Saint Augustine which has positioned our schools as we have entered into the twenty-first century. 1) The Task Force on Elementary Schools, established in 1991, set in motion the building of new schools as well as the 2) Diocesan Advisory Board of Education. DABE has been an invaluable asset as it has dealt with issues such as salaries, school board training, finances, and technology; 3) Guardian of Dreams: assistance to St. Pius V and Holy Rosary schools that educate lower income children; 4) the Task Force on Secondary Schools, out of which came the recommendation to build a high school on the westside of Jacksonville and gradually grew into the 5) The Opportunity of a Lifetime capital campaign. His last year has been spent tirelessly going out to raise funds for Catholic education, namely, two new high schools, expansion and renovation of St. Joseph Academy and Morning Star School and endowments for priestly formation, Christian Formation and the Guardian of Dreams. Bishop John J. Snyder High School will be a testimony to this campaign and to his generous service. The mascot for this new school is appropriately named “the Cardinals.” He came from Brooklyn 22 years ago, knowing very few here. However, it didn’t take very long to get to know him. The tree might have grown up in Brooklyn, but it has born so much fruit with us and he truly became and remains “our dear, beloved bishop.” Patricia Tierney is superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Saint Augustine.