| Preparing a Place for You: We hear Jesus telling the apostles and us something that we need to ponder more often: “Do not let your hearts be troubled…In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” Jesus desires to be with us now and for all eternity. Amid setbacks, illness and our eventual death, let Jesus speak those words to your heart. Our Blessed Mother: As we enjoy the spring weather and the flowers and trees blooming, it reminds us of our Blessed Mother who bore fruit in her womb. May is Mary’s Month. She is our Mother who is with us on our journey. Peace: Everyone wants peace. Everyone asks us to pray for peace, including our Blessed Mother. Please pray the rosary during this month with the intention of peace in our world, our country, our families and in our hearts. Conference: I hope all of you can attend the Eucharistic Conference July 31- August 1 at Fort Hays State University sponsored by the Comeau Catholic Campus Center. I especially want to invite all of you to attend the Friday evening event with Fr. Mathias Thelen. He is one of the founders of Encounter Ministries, he has a great gift and charism of healing. For more information on how to register visit our Diocesan Website. Adoration: A favor: can each one of us take the time to spend at least one hour of adoration per week/month? I don’t think you will ever regret it. Let Jesus fill your heart with his peace. Vocations: The annual seminarian dinners will be held in Salina on July 29 and in Colby on July 30. Mark your calendars now and look for more information on how to register in the coming months. Ordinations: Dcn. Luke Friess from Hoxie, and Dcn. Benjamin King, who is with the Cor Jesu Apostolate, will be ordained to the priesthood on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, June 12 at 2 PM, Sacred Heart Cathedral. All are welcome to attend! Knights: I will be at the State Knights of Columbus Convention in Wichita this evening and part of tomorrow. I am so grateful for the Knights. They are the largest Catholic organization that gives to charitable causes. Daughters: I will be in Victoria on Saturday evening celebrating the 100thanniversary of the Daughters of Isabella. What a great blessing this women’s group has been for our diocese. Confirmation: On Sunday, I will have two Confirmation Masses. What a joy it is to be with our young people and their openness to receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Busyness and Faithfulness: While recently driving I listened to Christian music on the radio. One of the radio hosts mentioned that everyone mentions how busy they are. He said, “we are all busy.” But then he said that no matter how busy we are, what’s most important is faithfulness to God. Graduation: Blessings to all our graduates! May you remain with Jesus and his Church wherever you go. Mental Health: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The bishop’s conference continues to raise awareness of this issue and accompany those struggling with mental illness. You can find more information at the USCCB website https://www.usccb.org/mental-health. Assignments: The priest assignments will be shared either next weekend or the following weekend. Please pray for this endeavor. Vehicles: Because of the shortage of priests, we had to get six priests from other countries to serve in our diocese this year. We have a few vehicles that we can let them use, but we need more. Is there anyone who has an extra car that could be driven by a priest? If so, please contact Corey Lyon [email protected] at the chancery. Meditation: A friend of mine shared this meditation with me and I wanted to share it with you:God, you are my strength and my shield. I’m grateful that you’re continually at work in my life—sometimes in wondrous ways–to strengthen and protect me. I’m finding that the more I fully trust you, the more my heart leaps for joy!Help me to trust you wholeheartedly, resting in your sovereign control over the universe. When circumstances seem to be spinning out of control, I need to grab on to you—clinging to the truth that you know what you are doing. While I’m in the throes of adversity, my greatest challenge is to keep trusting that you are both sovereign and good. But I realize I can’t expect to understand your ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are your ways higher than mine.I want to please you by responding to trouble with thanksgiving, trusting that you can bring good out of the most difficult situations. When I respond in this way, you are glorified and I am strengthened. O Lord, I give thanks to you! The Story of St. Peregrine: Many of you are aware that St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer patients. His story is interesting. He grew up in a wealthy family and belonged to an anti-papal political faction. One day, a priest came to preach reconciliation, and Peregrine verbally abused him and struck his face. Instead of retaliating, the priest turned so Peregrine could strike the other side of his face. Peregrine soon repented and eventually joined a religious order and cared for the poor. When in his sixties, Peregrine suffered from cancer of the leg was told the leg had to be amputated. The night before surgery, Peregrine spent hours praying. He had a vision in which Jesus came down from the Cross and touched the cancerous area. The next day, to the doctor’s amazement, his leg was completely healed. After his death many years later, miraculous healings were attributed to his intercession. His feast day is May 4. I hope you have a Blessed weekend and wonderful month of May. Be assured of my love and prayers. Bishop Vincke |
| Inspiration from the Saints:“Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”~ Our Lady of Fatima, speaking to Venerable Lucia dos Santos |
Bishop Vincke’s E-News to the Faithful | May 1, 2026
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