Mary Williams still remembers the phone call from her third-oldest son, and his words that envisioned a new path.
A biology major at the University of Minnesota, Morris, Joseph Williams had just taken the MCAT exam, an important test for his medical field dreams. Calling home to Stillwater, Minn., he shared the news first with his mother; his father, Gary, a dedicated family physician, was occupied with a trustee meeting at their local parish.
“Joseph told me, ‘How would you feel if I didn’t go into medicine, and I joined the seminary?’” Mary Williams recalled. “I told him, ‘We’d be thrilled. You’d be taking care of souls instead of bodies.’”
Reflecting on the news, Dr. Gary Williams added, “It didn’t surprise me, because of his holiness, dedication and personality.”
Since that moment almost 30 years ago, Gary and Mary Williams have proudly witnessed their son’s formation – from first-year seminarian at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, to priest and bishop.
“He’s always had a prayerful heart,” Gary Williams said.
An Intentional Faith
Joseph Williams was born May 2, 1974, the day after his parent’s third wedding anniversary. As a youngster, “he was extremely low-maintenance, happy and content with a heart for everyone, and a friend to all his classmates,” his father said.
Raising their nine children – six boys and three girls – in Stillwater, the Williamses were intentional about their Catholic faith, wanting their children “to know Jesus and to fall in love with Him,” Mary Williams said.
A day in the family’s household began with piano lessons and breakfast, followed by 7:30 a.m. Mass at nearby Saint Mary Church, where the young brothers were altar servers. Then came classes at Saint Croix Catholic School. The day’s end came with Gary Williams, on the top step of the loft, reading his children Bible stories as they drifted off to sleep.
“We lived around the liturgical year; we prayed the rosary every day. Our children knew our lives centered around the Catholic faith,” Gary Williams said.
With sugary treats kept to a minimum around the house, the children were able to enjoy their favorites on feast days and other special liturgical occasions.
“Bishop Joseph loved Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch cereal,” his mother said with a laugh.
Love and Mission
In the 22 years since Bishop Williams’ ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the two have witnessed their son “all in on his vocation, loving and serving his people,” Gary Williams said.
Mary Williams said she has cherished not only seeing the love her son has for the archdiocese’s people, but the love the faithful have given back in turn. She reflected on seeing Bishop Williams celebrate Masses at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, after which she had a tradition of standing “in the back of the Cathedral and watching the people engage with him [as he gave each one] blessings, praying over them. Each one, to him, is an individual person who wants that blessing from Jesus. That’s beautiful and a great sense of joy for me. That’s what I’m going to miss.”
On Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – and just a few days before the Bishop departed his home state – a family Mass was celebrated. His parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews were among those to wish him well on his new assignment in the Diocese of Camden. His godchildren were altar servers and lectors, and Bishop Williams wore the new blue Marian vestment his parents had gifted him.
The following Monday, Aug. 19, the Williamses hosted 35 family members for a breakfast sendoff, with homemade egg dishes, banana bread, rolls, and coffee cake for the meal – as well as fuel for Bishop Williams’ 1,200-mile road trip to the Diocese of Camden.
“I was crying. His dad was smiling. He was smiling,” Mary Williams tearfully recalled.
Although her son’s ZIP code is different, and the miles between them are greater, she knows his mission and focus will stay the same.
“His daily Holy Hour is important to him. He’ll love his seminarians, and his priests, and bring encouragement to their vocation,” she said. “He will encourage families to know and love Jesus in this secular world. He’ll be a voice for the lowly and those with special needs. He’ll work hard for the Latino community, the unborn and people of all races.”
Added Gary Williams, “I hope he’ll have a peaceful heart as he leads and serves the people of Camden, and remains as prayerful as he’s been. I know he’s going to be busy, but I hope he takes the time to be with Jesus, who has been a big part of his vocation.”
“He’ll be a good shepherd to his people. He’ll love them, serve them, and lead them well.”
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