Catholic Diocese of Salina

Blessing farmers, seeds, soil at St. Isidore Day

The Register

Plainville — In front of school children and farmers, Bishop Jerry Vincke asked a simple question to grade schooler Ayden McCune: “Do you want to become a saint?” The answer: “No” surprised the bishop and the crowd gathered. Father Brian Lager, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, later explained “We talk about how many of the saints have died, which might not make it appealing.” “Ayden, you want to become a saint,” Bishop Vincke assured him. “Yes you do. That’s what the Lord wants for you — to become a saint.”

The May 15 gathering was in honor of St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers. “He grew up in a very poor family. He spent 40 years working for the same landowner,” the bishop explained. “This landowner owned land and (St. Isidore) farmed the land.”
There are lessons to be gleaned from the life of the saint, he said. “Guess how he started every day?” Bishop Vincke said. “He started every day with praying. He went to Mass every day. He started off the day with God first. It is a great lesson for all of us. No matter where you are in life, no matter what you’re doing, always put God first.”

The annual St. Isidore Day celebration is hosted by the diocesan Rural Life Commission. The event includes Mass, blessing of the field and agricultural-related tours. Because Plainville has a grade school, the 75 school children attended Mass, and Bishop Vincke invited them up at the end to help him pray over and bless the “seeds and soil.” “There’s a lot of farmers here today, so we’re going to pray for them … for the farmers and for the seeds,” Bishop Vincke explained to the school children. “Do you know whose prayers God hears the most? It’s children’s. Your prayers go to God’s ears like that, as soon as you say something,” he said with a snap of his fingers.

Following Mass, the Bishop and farmers visited the wheat field of Bill and Karen McCune, north and a little west of Plainville.
“Father Brian (Lager) blessed one set of seeds, and you blessed the other,” Bill McCune said to the bishop. “We’ll see which yields better results.” He said he always has his pastor bless the seeds prior to planting them. “We’re really honored to have (St. Isidore Day) in Plainville,” McCune said. “We were real proud of that.” He said he appreciates the diocese taking the time to recognize the farming profession. “It’s no different than honoring our soldiers or police officers,” McCune said. “So many people are part of our everyday lives.”

June 1 ordination delayed

Dear all,

I want to say thank you for the prayers and support over the years and for considering attending the ordination on June 1. It is with deep regret that I inform you that Bishop Vincke feels it is necessary to delay the ordination. The reason for the delay is that he wants to make sure that I am physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy to meet the demands of the priesthood.

I am taking this as an opportunity to learn more about myself and grow in God’s love.
Please keep my family, Bishop Vincke and myself in your prayers.

Blessings, Deacon Michael Leiker

May 30 Evening with the Seminarians

The seminarian appreciation dinner will take place as scheduled May 30. The event is an opportunity to meet all the men who are currently in seminary and celebrate their gift of stewardship to the diocese.

The Vocatio potluck that was scheduled for May 31st has been postponed due to the decision to delay Deacon Michael Leiker’s priestly ordination.

Religious sisters honored during May 14 Mass, luncheon

The Register

Salina — About three dozen religious sisters gathered May 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral for the annual Religious Sisters Mass.
“Do you remember your calling?” Bishop Jerry Vincke asked the sisters during his homily. “How old were you when you heard that voice from your beloved in the depths of your heart and you responded, ‘Jesus, do you really want me to be a religious sister?’ And you heard the voice in your heart ‘Yes, I have called you.’ ”

Sister Jean Befort was 18 years old when she entered the community 60 years ago. “I never realized it would go so fast,” she said of her six decades as a religious sister. “Sixty years seems like an old number.” She currently lives in Concordia and is semi-retired; she works part time with the order’s Neighbor to Neighbor program. Likewise, Sister Doris Flax answered the call at a young age. She entered the community at 16 years of age, and was formally received into the community at age 17.
She has been the pastoral associate at St. Mary Parish in Ellis for 25 years. “I enjoy doing communion service at the nursing home and visiting the homebound,” Sister Doris said of her parish work. The annual Mass and luncheon is always a highlight of the year for her. “I get to see the sisters I haven’t seen all year,” Sister Doris said. “It’s also nice to see the clergy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t see them.”

Seminarian recognition dinner is May 30 in Salina

Salina — The sixth annual “Evening with Our Seminarians” will take place May 30. The evening begins with a social at 6 p.m. at the Salina Country Club, 2101 E. Country Club Rd., Salina, followed by Vespers (evening prayer), then a meal and a short program. The event is open to the public, but reservations are required. The cost is $50 per person, with reservations required by May 23.

All of the diocese’s seminarians, several priests and Bishop Jerry Vincke will be on hand to meet with guests. “I am deeply inspired by how many parishes pray for vocations to the priesthood,” Bishop Vincke said. “I am so thankful that people across the diocese are praying for and supporting our seminarians as they continue their formation to become priests The seminarian dinner gives an opportunity to meet these seminarians and hear how they are discerning their call and growing spiritually and intellectually toward ordination.”

Katie Platten, Mary Thompson and Cathy Boos are co-chairs for this year’s event. “This event is primarily for all of us to honor and celebrate the commitment these young men have made to the priesthood,” Platten said. “It is also a great way for parishioners to get acquainted with our seminarians, while helping to raise funds to support current and future seminarian education for our diocese.”

The event began in 2014 as part of a matching grant. The event has become popular with attendees, and continues to draw more than 200 people to the evening. Platten added many will buy a table and fill it with family and friends, but individual tickets are available as well. “This is a fun way to meet not just seminarians, but also others from across the diocese, who support the seminarians,” she said. On June 1, transitional Deacon Mike Leiker will be ordained to the priesthood.

The Diocese of Salina currently has 12 seminarians in formation and expects to have 14 next year. In addition, young men continue to inquire about the seminary. “As with all education, the cost of seminary formation continues to rise,” Bishop Vincke said. “The funds raised from this event are used exclusively for seminarian education and formation.” Cost is $50 per person. For more information, contact Beth Shearer or Lois Yost at (785) 827-8746 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To register, click here.

All are invited to help support Call to Share appeal

Salina — If not you – who? If not now – when?

At all Masses April 6 and 7, Catholics who had not yet responded, were invited to make their commitment to the 2019 Bishop’s Annual Appeal – Call to Share. The $1.4 million appeal directly touches everyone in the diocese.

Call to Share, announced in mid-February has received commitments of almost $1.2 million, or nearly 86 percent of goal from 2,690 families, or about 15 percent of registered families.
“I wish to share my deepest gratitude to all who have already made a sacrificial pledge to the Call to Share appeal,” Bishop Jerry Vincke said. “Respectfully, every family is encouraged to participate to its ability and make a gift of personal significance, knowing that every gift allows us to meet critical needs of our Church.”

Support of the appeal works in direct and indirect ways to touch every family. Often, people mention the work of the appeal doesn’t impact them.

In the most direct of way the appeal touches each person. Support of the formation and care of the clergy accounts for nearly 50 percent of the goal of Call to Share. Together, through these gifts, the diocese educates seminarians to prepare for ordination and service to the faithful as pastors and other administrative leadership positions. It ensures those priests who have often served in multiple assignments are assured of a retirement deserving of their decades of service.

Further, support to 15 Catholic schools works to help ensure K-12 education is available to the children. Many Catholics grew up in a period where Catholic school was an expectation supported by families with and without children of their own.

“Nearly 90 percent of the funds we raise are spent in direct benefit to individuals and parishes in every corner of the diocese,” Bishop Vincke said. “The remaining balance is what we collectively need to support general diocesan administrative operations, as well as our endeavors to establish a new communication office and focus on evangelization.”

All families are asked to prayerfully consider the importance of the Church, its role in the family and the difference it can make through a gift that works with thousands of others to address these needs.

For more information contact Beth Shearer at (785) 872-8746 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also make a pledge or gift online at https://salinadiocese.org/development/bishops-annual-appeal.