Heart: After my mother died, I told some of my family that the only thing I wanted was the small statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that hung upon the wall of our living room. I am grateful that I received them. I always took great comfort in their hearts, which represent their love for us and the invitation to come to them with whatever is on our hearts. Today is the Feast of the Sacred of Jesus, and tomorrow is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please know that devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary brings peace and healing to your family.
Heart wounded: Geoff Andrews, our superintendent, led a pilgrimage to Rome with several high school students and their parents. He shared with our chancery staff their day trip to Lanciano. In the 8th century, a priest who had doubts about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, was celebrating Mass. When he said the words of consecration the bread turned into flesh and the wine blood. The flesh and blood are present in their Church to this day. In the 1970s, a study of this miracle found that the flesh was of human heart muscle tissue. What wondrous love from the heart of Jesus is the Eucharist for us.
Anxious: Today is also the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patron saint of the diocese. The image depicts Jesus as a child in his mother’s arms after he had seen his destiny on the cross. Are we worried about the future? About death? Let’s allow our Blessed Mother to hold us.
Peter and Paul: My nephew is a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and he gives tours of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. This Basilica has pictures in order of all the popes since our first pope, St. Peter. But it also shares the life of St. Paul through window art. My favorite window is the image of Peter and Paul embracing each other before each of them were martyred in Rome. I wondered what they said to each other. This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter, a fisherman, Paul, a Pharisee who persecuted Christians before his conversion. Could God be calling you to something more? Our ‘yes’ is worth it!
Six: Our diocese is blessed that six married men will be ordained permanent deacons tomorrow at 11 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. We are grateful for their ‘yes.’ All are welcome to attend.
Thinking creatively: Many of you have heard about our three newly ordained priests encountering Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square. At the papal audience, they held up a sign that read, “Newly Ordained Priests from Kansas. You want a blessing?” Lo and behold, our Holy Father stopped the popemobile and asked for a blessing from our new priests. Super cool. And, of course, then Pope Leo blessed them too. I’m sure they will never forget that!
Dinners: Speaking of our seminarians, we are hosting two seminarian dinners this summer: July 30 in Manhattan, and then July 31 in Hays. Hope you can attend, and come, meet, and support our seminarians.
You Matter: I am super excited about our Eucharistic Conference August 9 & 10 with Fr. John Riccardo and his team of ACTS XXIX presenting. Please attend if you are able. It will be worth your time. Please don’t be afraid!
Laity: I have reinstituted the Diocesan Pastoral Council, which involves many faithful throughout the diocese. It’s good to hear from our priests, but also the laity.
Fireworks: Hope all of you have a wonderful July 4 weekend. Please keep safe. Every year, approximately 10,000 people in our country are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries.
New: It’s the time of year when priests leave their current assignments and begin new ones. Thank you for your support of our priests.
Our Brothers and Sisters: Recently, I read an article that quoted Bishop Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino on his thoughts on what’s happening in his diocese regarding immigration. I stand with Bishop Rojas and his comments. He said first that Catholics “respect and appreciate the right of law enforcement to keep our communities safe from violent criminals.” However, he said that law enforcement has gone beyond that. “Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God. We are now seeing agents detain people as they leave their homes, in their places of work and other randomly chosen public settings. We have experienced at least one case of agents entering a parish property and seizing several people. The aggressive enforcement is creating a tremendous amount of fear, confusion, and anxiety for many.” Describing those extreme methods as “not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” the bishop asked political leaders to “reconsider and cease these tactics immediately, in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system. This is not what he wants for us. Let us instead remember what we all share — our creation in his image and likeness. Let us look for God in one another.” Finally, while speaking to immigrant communities of ‘trauma and injustice,’ he said, “the Church walks with you and supports you. We join you in carrying this very difficult cross.”
War/peace: I recently had dinner with Fr. Norbert Dlabal, one of our retired priests. He is always reading and sharing spiritual tidbits. While we were talking about all that’s happening in the world, he shared the following quote from Dom Hubert Van Zeller, a Benedictine monk, that I wanted to share with you: “The Birth of The Word into the world means that the world’s chaos and disintegration inspires in us not fear and despair, but a strong, virile and courageous Hope.”
With my love and prayers,
Bishop Vincke
Some Quotes on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
“I do not tremble when I see my weakness, for the treasures of a mother belong also to her child, and I am thy child, O dear Mother Mary.” ~ St. Therese of Lisieux
“O my Mother, it is to your heart that I come to lay down the anguish of my heart; it is there that I draw strength and courage.” ~ St Bernadette Soubirous
“Remember that it has never been heard of in any age, that any sinner who turned to you (Mary) was rejected by you. I am a miserable sinner, but I turn to you and trust in you.” ~ St. Bernard of Clairveaux
“Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.” ~ Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
“In the heart of Jesus, which was pierced, the kingdom of heaven and the land of earth are bound together. Here is for us the source of life.” ~ St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
“The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the solution to our brokenness and that of the world.” ~ from a blog about the Sacred Heart.