Bishop Cordileone shared the story of his vocation during a youth rally Mass in August 2009. JosÉ Luis Aguirre/The Catholic Voice

In his role as teacher, Bishop Cordileone made a point of reaching out to young people of the diocese, celebrating Masses at high schools, visiting parish schools during pastoral visits and attending special events like youth rallies, walks and protests.

Remain disciples 2011: Bishop Cordileone celebrated the Closing of School Mass at Moreau Catholic and challenged the students to remain disciples of Jesus Christ in today's secular world. COURTESY of MOREAU CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Take a ride 2009: Bishop Cordileone accepts a gift of a bike and helmet from Bishop O'Dowd students at the Opening School Liturgy in 2009. One of the school community's favorite memories of Bishop Cordileone was his joy and surprise at receiving the bike that he could ride around Lake Merritt, and the students offering to ride with him. Courtesy photo

'Do you want to be pope?' 2011: Students at St. Francis of Assisi School in Concord enjoyed a lively visit with Bishop Cordileone on May 16, peppering him with questions, including, "Do you want to be pope?" The bishop replied: "It's not about what I want. As priests we are here to serve the Church, however the Church asks us to serve. . . . I never thought I would be a bishop, but it is how the Church has now asked me to serve her people." Shown visiting the seventh grade are, from left, Bishop Cordileone; Fathers Glenn Naguit, parochial vicar, and Ismael Gutierrez, parochial administrator; and Sister James Marien Dyer, CSJ, principal. The event was part of the bishop's parish visit May 14-16. Courtesy photo

A special day at Holy Names 2009: Bishop Cordileone visited Holy Names High School in December 2009 for the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. As is custom, Bishop Cordileone witnessed the renewal of vows by the Sisters of the Holy Names at that Mass. This vow renewal always takes place on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which commemorates the day Blessed Marie Rose Durocher first made vows as a religious sister. He also posed for a photo with the Campus Ministry Team at that time. Courtesy photo

'Spirit of worship and praise' 2011: After celebrating Mass for 1,000 teenagers at "Ignite," the diocesan youth rally at Bishop O'Dowd High School on April 2, Bishop Cordileone greets two Missionaries of Charity sisters, who accompanied the Confirmation class of St. Mark Parish in Richmond to the daylong event. Of the students, the bishop said: "They are really into the spirit of worship and praise, open to the Church's message to them. It gives me a sense of confidence to see their confidence in the wisdom of the Church." JosÉ Luis Aguirre/The Catholic Voice

'Do they still teach Latin here?' 2010: A favorite memory of Bishop Cordileone at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School is when he came to celebrate the new school year and bless new classrooms in August 2010. Bishop Cordileone presided over the Mass of the Holy Spirit and shared his sense of humor with the students. "Do they still teach Latin here?" he asked, as students and faculty chuckled. "No? Well, the word for education comes from the Latin educere, which means to lead or to draw out. Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, as a Catholic school, is about the education of the whole person." He urged the students to use their education to grow, both morally and spiritually. "This is a very exciting time in your life," he said. "Your life is full of promise." Following the Mass in the Basilica, everyone gathered on the Quad as Bishop Cordileone blessed the 10 newly renovated Smart Classrooms. He then walked quickly through the campus sprinkling holy water on the new lockers and doors of the classrooms. Courtesy of St. Joseph Notre Dame High School

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