| Corpus Christi: This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The mystery of the Eucharist is the ultimate sacrifice of love for the salvation of the world—and all of us personally. Red and White: There was a beautiful reflection on the connection between the martyrs of the faith and Corpus Christi in the iBreviary phone app. It shared how the martyrs of this week (St. Justin, St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, and St. Boniface) gave up their lives for the Eucharist. For example, St. Justin was asked what doctrines he holds, he says, “I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians.” At the heart of the doctrines of the Church is the celebration of the Eucharist. Each martyr was asked, “Is what you believe worth your life?” Each of them answered yes! Their willingness to die was based of their belief of the Eucharist: The Body and Blood of Christ made present at every Mass in every age. On Corpus Christi Sunday, we receive what the martyrs died for. Processions: Pope Leo XIV recently emphasized the importance of keeping alive the public witness of faith through Corpus Christi Eucharistic processions, calling them a “beautiful manifestation of public testimony of the faith.” Magnifica Humanitas: There has been a lot of discussion about the Holy Father’s first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. It’s a long read, but at the heart of the message is the centrality of the human person and their dignity. Pope Leo XIV is asking us to keep the human person—made in the image and likeness of God—at the center of all discernment regarding emerging technology, including AI. Hearts: Next weekend the Church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, June 12, and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday June 13. The U.S. Bishops are officially consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at a Mass on Thursday June 11, to coincide with the country’s 250th anniversary. You can participate by watching the live stream on the USCCB YouTube channel HERE. The Heart of Jesus is on fire with love for us, pouring out His love for us, and calling us to Himself. How will we respond? Ordinations: On Friday, June 12, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we will celebrate the priesthood ordinations of Deacon Luke Friess and Deacon Benjamin King at 2 pm at the Cathedral in Salina. All are welcome. Cor Jesu: Many of you know Deacon Luke Friess. He is from Hoxie, and he has been in the seminary for some time. Many of you probably don’t know who Deacon Benjamin is. Deacon Benjamin belongs to the Cor Jesu Apostolate in Manhattan. They focus on retreats and spiritual direction. We are extremely blessed by their yes! Nephew: Speaking of ordinations, I am also excited to attend my nephew’s priesthood ordination for the Diocese of Saginaw in a few weeks. Dinner: Thank you for all your support for our seminarians. Our Catholic Foundation is hosting two Seminarian Dinners this year: July 29 in Salina and July 30 in Colby. Hope to see you there! Conference: Please attend the 3rd Annual Eucharistic Conference in Hays on July 31 and August 1. Our main speaker on Friday evening is Fr. Mathias Thelen, Co-Founder and President of Encounter Ministries. You will not want to miss it! Next year: I am also excited that next year Hannah Crews will be one of our speakers at our Eucharistic Conference. An engaging speaker, she was a Protestant who recently converted to Catholicism. She has a great 13-minute podcast titled, “I’m a Protestant: 5 things that made me question EVERYTHING.” It’s worth a listen. Witnesses: Our youth are watching us when it comes to our faith. They are looking for credible witnesses. Recently, I read a letter from a young woman who was ready to be confirmed. She wrote, “I have been so inspired and in awe of the Catholic faith. My whole life I have seen my grandma and great aunt be so faithful. I remember one day, I was with my cousin in my great aunt’s car, and she was praying the rosary and it was like God was talking to me and calling to me to be more willing to learn about our faith and what it means.” Summer Service: We are so blessed by all the youth in our diocese who are participating in Prayer and Action as well as Totus Tuus. What a blessing it is for them to encounter Christ in the Eucharist but also in each other and the people they serve. Deer: Many of those getting confirmed, especially out in western Kansas, choose St. Hubert as their Confirmation Saint, because he is the patron saint of hunters. Who is St. Hubert? At a young age, he enjoyed a carefree life and especially loved hunting. One day, instead of going to Church, he went hunting as usual. As he was pursuing a large white stag, he noticed what seemed like a crucifix between his antlers. He felt in his heart that it was time to take his faith seriously. He did and became a saint. He realized God had been pursuing him. USCCB: I will be at the USCCB spring meeting for a few days this coming week. With my love and prayers, Bishop Vincke |
| Inspiration from the Saints: “The greatest proof of love is to suffer for the beloved, and Jesus has done this for us. His Sacred Heart is our refuge and our rest.”~ St Francis de Sales“ “Only love can penetrate the heart of God. The deeper one enters into His Heart, the more deeply one is drawn into the pain of the world—and into His redemptive love.”~ St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross “May the Heart of Jesus be the center of the universe, the sun of every heart, the goal of every aspiration, the object of every desire.”~ St Padre Pio “O Heart of Jesus, my refuge and my sanctuary, I surrender myself to Your burning love.”~ St Thérèse of Lisieux |
Bishop Vincke’s E-News to the Faithful | June 5, 2026
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