b'1998-2005.I was the founding pastor of Most Precious Blood Catholicis no particular difficulty or difference. I hope that I am the same person. Church in Oviedo Florida from 2005-2011. I am a firm believer that we do what God asks of us. God will help me in that path, and I trust in his providence and his grace.TJ: Tell me about being a founding pastor.BP: Like a missionary, you start from scratch we had no buildingsTJ: What is the best place to eat in Savannah?and no church. Mass was celebrated in a public school for six yearsBP: I am not a huge foodie so that I can say I have a favorite. I travel until the property was prepared and the church built.It was a greata lot I am very fond of Cracker Barrell.experience when I left we had 2000 families. I also served as a campus minister for the University of Central Florida from 2004-2011.It is oneTJ: What is the best place to eat in Florida? of the largest universities in the country with a total enrollment of overBP: As I already mentioned I am not a huge food person, any place 60,000 students with 12,000 students living within one mile of campus.that serves breakfast is my favorite. I like an omelet and pancakes and now that I am in Georgia I enjoy peach TJ: And then? flavored syrup.BP:IreturnedtoAnnunciationas Pastor June 2011 until the summer ofTJ: How are the schools doing?2020 when I was appointed Bishop ofBP: The catholic schools are doing Savannah. ok. It is a struggle in the smaller towns I received a phone call from the Pa- to keep the schools sustainable. In re-palNuncio,ArchbishopChristophecent times, many institutions are having Pierre, informing me that the Holy Fa- difficulty finding teachers and that is a ther had asked me to be Bishop of thereal challenge as the labor market is Savannah Diocese. very tight. Education pays a lower sala-ry and the classroom environment has TJ:Did you watch them carve yourchanged.Virtualclasseswerechal-name into the cathedral? lengingforteachersduringthepan-BP: No, I didnt watch it was readydemic. Teachers deserve a lot of credit when I was ordained and installed asBishop Parks with his parents Ronald and Joan for doing what they do while keeping a Bishop It made me realize the incredible history there is here, a very richsmile on their face and being a good example to our youth.history.I am the 15th Bishop of Savannah and follow a strong history of Spiritual leaders. TJ: What negative action or trait bothers you most?BP: That is an odd question.I try to be a positive person and not fo-TJ: Were you familiar with Savannah? cus on negativity or negative traits. I feel very blessed with the person-BP: I did not spend much time in Savannah be- ality that God gave me and the traits that I have. fore I was ordained.I had traveled through the cityAs for negative actions that lead to sin sin is sin a few times. and any sin is not good. Something I dont under-stand is how many people dont attend church, TJ: How does the change to bishop work? they see it as a burden or something to check off BP: Having been a pastor of a large parish youon their to do list.gettoknowthepeopleandfamiliesandtheir needsandhowtoprovidespiritualguidance.TJ: What is your most American trait? When you become a Bishop, you have a biggerBP: I hope that I try to be a positive person of family. The Savannah Diocese is 37,000 squarehope for the future and I try to bring joy to what miles throughout 90 counties (There are 159 coun- I do.ties in Georgia)As a pastor I used to be able to walk across theTJ: Some brothers want to know if you prefer street to the office. Now I have driven 60,000 milesgolf, baseball, basketball, hockey or football?in the last 18 months. From Savannah to Bain- BP: I enjoy more non-competitive sports such bridge is about 5 hours.The Diocese of Savannahas riding my bike or walking. I follow football but is the 2nd largest diocese east of the Mississippi. I am not a huge fan of any particular sport.I try to keep up with Georgia and Florida, I also follow TJ: Did you invite Archbishop Hartmeyer to theFathers Stephen and Greg before theyUCF, I dont follow any particular school on a reg-Savannah St. Patricks Day Parade? became Bishops ular basis I just keep up with who is in the top 20.BP: I did not, I think he has been to the parade plenty of times and was happy to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Atlanta that day. TJ: I want to start a fight so please rank Georgia, Georgia Tech, Geor-gia Southern, Georgia State, any Florida, and Notre Dame.TJ:Were you impressed by the Savannah St. Patricks Day Parade? BP: I am not going to touch that.May the best team win. Georgia BP: I celebrated the Mass at the Cathedral and preached at thehad a great year!Mass. I then walked in the parade. It was good that we were able to have the parade after two years of Covid. TJ: If I were fortunate enough to have you over to celebrate your It was a blessing to see the rich heritage and the local flavor with thebirthday what would I prepare for an appetizer, a salad, the main entre, enthusiastic participants and spectators.It is a wonderful communitythe sides, the dessert, and what beverages would I pair everything with?event.BP: I would start with fried calamari, and a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing. The entre would be grilled chicken with green beans TJ: Did you attend the Shellmans Bluff St. Patricks Day Parade? and mashed potatoes. For dessert a brownie or chocolate chip cookie BP: I have not, I dont know anything about it. I like drinking iced tea and water sweet or unsweet I like both half and half occasionally an ice-cold Bud light.TJ: What was the more difficult transition becoming a priest, a Bish-op, coming to Savannah,? TJ: What inspired you to join the knights?BP: I think they are different. When we are ordained we rely on GodsBP: My dad was a knight, he was part of a council in New York. grace to fulfill what he is calling us to do. Becoming Bishop was certain- The knights are a wonderful prayerful group full of charity, unity, and ly a change in my vocation, and I ask for Gods grace in doing it. Therefraternity.49'