I am excited about our upcoming Eucharistic Conference sponsored by the Comeau Catholic Center on the grounds of Fort Hays State University August 9-10. Bishop Joseph Espaillant from Brooklyn is looking forward to visiting Kansas. I think he is excited to share the good news of Jesus, but also enjoy a good steak too! To register online, please go HERE.
Last week, I went to Atchison and Topeka for the national Eucharistic pilgrimage as we gear up for the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21. It was a very special time. About 1200 people walked across the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge as the Eucharistic pilgrimage that started in California made its way from Missouri to Kansas.
There are several young adults who have participated in the pilgrimage since they left California a month or so ago before they arrive in Indianapolis. They have been accompanying Jesus along the way, but, in reality, Jesus has been accompanying them (and all of us).
After Mass in Topeka, we made a Eucharistic procession to the place where the milestone Supreme Court decision of Brown vs Board of Education took place that ended racial segregation in our schools. As Archbishop Naumann said in a little reflection, we have come a long way to end racism in our country, but we have a long way to go too.
Congratulations to the good people of Sts. Philip and James Parish in Hope, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary as a parish. I am looking forward to celebrating Mass with them on Sunday, July 7, at 4 pm.
So thankful for all the youth who are leading Totus Tuus and Prayer and Action this summer in our diocese. I am grateful for all the families who are participating too.
Looking forward to celebrating the wonderful service Catholic Charities does in our diocese at their annual Green Tie Celebration on July 13. If you would like to make a donation to Catholic Charities, please go to: ccnks.org
I talked to several farmers and they mentioned the same thing about their wheat harvest: some places were decent, others not so much, but they were all thankful for what they harvested. We are grateful for the rain that has nourished our land too.
Several years ago, Pope Francis designated the last Sunday of July as World Day for Grandparents and Elderly. This year that day falls on July 28. Perhaps we can remember to visit or call our grandparents or the elderly that day.
We are blessed that our diocese will have 15 seminarians studying for our diocese this coming fall. If you want to meet them and support them, please attend one of our seminarian dinners: Wednesday, July 31, in Salina; Thursday, August 1, in Colby, and Friday, August 2, in Hays. Click the links above to purchase tickets.
Recently, I celebrated Mass in Dorrance and met a couple who are getting married later this year. I asked them how they met. They said, “at the Czech Festival.” Happy to hear. This year’s Czech Festival in on July 27 in Wilson. I am looking forward to enjoying a great meal (including kolaches 😊) and then celebrating Mass at St. Wenceslaus Parish at 4 pm.
So proud of our communications team for their work. Recently, they received the following awards from the Catholic Media Association
During the week of July 21-27, the Church celebrates the beautiful teaching of Natural Family Planning. Learn more about NFP and the services offered in our diocese HERE.
I hope all of you enjoy the 4th of July as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence.
Many thanks for your support, kindness and generosity for my 25th anniversary as a priest.
St. Junipero Serra (feast day July 1): “Always forward, never back.”
St. Thomas the Apostle (feast day July 3): “My Lord and my God.”
St. Maria Goretti (feast day July 6): He loves, He hopes, He waits. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting an instant.”
St. Benedict (feast day July 11): “Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola (feast day July 31): “All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully.”
