Bishop Boyea welcomed the co-responsibility of the laity for the work of building up the kingdom of God by appointing lay men and women to chancery positions that had previously been held only by clergy. My role as his chief of staff for four and a half years is one example of his leaning into the charisms of the laity. I was honored to help him implement his vision for the diocese.

In the midst of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, we discerned a way to keep people engaged with their faith when they couldn’t attend Mass and utilize Bishop Boyea’s charism of teaching. This effort began with videos of Bishop Boyea meditating on the Seven Last Words of Jesus leading up to Holy Week 2020. This eventually grew into the Bishop’s Year of the Bible, which was texted to participants every day for a year, giving the people of the diocese an opportunity to not only learn from their bishop but come to know him in a more personal and intimate way.

Prayer should be an essential element of any work performed within the leadership of the Catholic Church. When I joined the chancery staff in 2010, there was a small effort to engage prayer in the workday. Under Bishop Boyea’s leadership, prayer within the chancery staff took on a greater importance. The chancery staff were encouraged to attend daily Mass at the cathedral. What had begun as an effort for a few staff to pray “hall prayer” (gathering in the hall to intercede for the needs of the people in the parishes) became a more focused, guided, and intentional time of prayer with the bishop and the chancery staff each Monday morning. We gave extra time to prayer during meetings. Thus, relying on the Holy Spirit to direct the work of the diocese was strongly encouraged and became customary.

Sometime around 2010, a group of deacons’ wives approached Bishop Boyea and asked that he sponsor an annual women’s conference. A men’s conference had been taking place within the Diocese of Lansing for several years. Under the leadership of Bishop Boyea, an annual conference for the women of the diocese began in 2012. Apart from two years, the conference has taken place annually and has expanded to include participants and volunteers from all seven dioceses in the state of Michigan. Bishop Boyea has offered the liturgy for each and every conference!

Congratulations Bishop Boyea on your retirement! “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for … you. (Phil 1:3-5)

I moved to Michigan just a few months after Bishop Boyea was installed as the fifth Bishop of Lansing. From the beginning, I was deeply impressed by his visionary leadership. He was one of the earliest U.S. bishops to focus the priorities and resources of the whole diocese outward toward evangelization. I’ve often quoted this memorable line in his pastoral letter Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord: “Why have so many left the Church? While this is an important question, the more important question is why are we sitting around tending the ninety-nine and not going after the one who has been lost?” Bishop Boyea has strongly supported a wide variety of lay apostolates that form Catholics in their identity as missionary disciples and reach out to the lost. Thanks to his leadership, this diocese is becoming an evangelistic powerhouse!

Dr. Mary Healy, professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit

Since his installation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing, I’ve been honored to interact with him in formal and informal settings. Two words remain consistent in describing him and his leadership – welcoming and evangelizing.

As a member of the bishop’s financial council, I have always been struck by his welcoming demeanor as well as the transparency of his leadership. While exercising his fiduciary responsibility, he respected the leadership of each local church as well as the insights of his council and consultants.

Additionally, he entered the public square of the internet to evangelize his diocese and beyond, through email and media productions. Every person in the diocese had the opportunity to be taught and led by him. His zeal for souls is inspiring and will be remembered for years to come.

Sr. John Dominic O.P., co-foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Bishop Boyea has provided steady, faith-filled leadership to the Diocese of Lansing, and I am grateful to serve as a principal under his care. What I appreciate most is his clarity about who we are and what we are called to do. He consistently reminds us that our schools exist first to form disciples. The Saints and Scholars campaign is a clear example of that vision in action. It has strengthened our schools not only through needed resources, but through a renewed focus on forming young people in holiness and intellectual excellence. That alignment of faith and reason; of sanctity and scholarship, has shaped our diocesan culture in a lasting way. His leadership has helped anchor our mission, and for that I am sincerely thankful.

Andrew Schmit, principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Fenton

Most Reverend Bishop Earl Boyea has been an example of holiness and a pillar of faithfulness to his vocation, being consistently present to his flock. He truly cares about feeding the hungry, advocates for Catholic education, and guides seminarians in their vocation journey. His episcopate, for me personally, has been a joy and a blessing; he has confirmed six out of seven of my children (the youngest is 11). He is a wise man, and I have come to respect his prudence in financial matters. And perhaps most importantly, he has shepherded our diocese through trying social times. The world has become a hostile place to Catholic social teaching; yet Bishop Boyea has never faltered in his commitment to these truths. This is needed in a time when spiritual battles are being waged, and the world is confused about right and wrong. I feel grateful and blessed to be a member of his flock.

Katie Baxter, chief executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties

When I took up the role of editor of FAITH Magazine in May 2024, Bishop Boyea invited me to join him in his office for a chat. He simply said, “I have two requests regarding FAITH magazine. One, I don’t want it to look boring, as though it were an academic journal; and two, I don’t want my face splashed all over it.” These two requests hint at the nature of Bishop Boyea’s ministry: style and humility.

He has ministered to his flock in the Diocese of Lansing with humility, good humor, and panache! From pumping out instructive pastoral videos, tweets, and homilies, to encouraging us through his column in the magazine, the bishop has led the faithful through the bad times – the rigors of the COVID era – and the good – the growing number of converts joining our ranks. We wish him every blessing in his well-earned retirement!

Sean O’Neill, editor of FAITH Magazine

I first met Fr. Earl in 1993. At Sacred Heart seminary, I was surrounded by great professors, but he was one of my favorites. Joyful, well informed, super prayerful. He played cards with us, joined in our recreation, and everyone’s mood was a little lighter after spending time with him.

I was ordained in 1998 and then nine years later, I got to meet Bishop Earl. I found he was still a fantastic teacher, an unbelievably prayerful man and a joyful person to be around. I think being a bishop is exceptionally difficult and I don’t know how he’s done it all these years, but I’m so very grateful for him. No matter what he’s wanted, he said yes to everything the Church asked of him and I think we’re all better for it.

Father Joe Krupp, pastor of Church of the Holy Family parish and school in Grand Blanc and St Mark parish in Goodrich.