Three: We are so blessed by God for giving us three transitional deacons who will be ordained priests tomorrow morning at the Cathedral. Please pray for Deacons Adam Urban, Jesse Ochs, and Kade Megaffin.
Someone made it!: Some have called the Ascension the most underrated feast, yet it is the climax of the Paschal Mysteries. God becomes man so that we become divinized. May we always follow the One who leads us to heaven.
Pope Leo XIV: I think all of us were excited to find out that we had a new pope, an American at that. I heard from people in Michigan that Pope Leo served in my old diocese for a month decades ago. There was a parish in Flint that was run by the Augustinian priests. Then Fr. Prevost was filling in for time while one of the priests was on vacation. Some were baptized by him. That’s an awesome fun fact that they can share!
Grinnell: Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Grinnell. On May 19, About 25 – 30 homes were destroyed by the tornado, in addition to many farm sheds and other damage. It was wonderful to see the community of Grinnell and others help in any way possible. Even some of the Sisters of St. Joseph drove there from Concordia as well as the staff at Catholic Charities to help. I’m looking forward to seeing the good people of Grinnell again soon. The parishes in the Diocese of Salina will take up collections during the month of June. You may also contribute your financial assistance to help the victims by contributing to the Catholic Charities Disaster Relief Fund online. If you would like to assist in the rebuilding efforts of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church facilities you may contribute directly to the Parish by visiting the Catholic Foundation for Diocese of Salina Parish support page and indicate you would like your contribution to go to Grinnell for rebuilding efforts.
Special Feasts: The month of June is full of high liturgical celebrations! Every Sunday during the month of June is marked as a special feast! The Solemnity of the Ascension on June 1; Pentecost on June 8; the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity on June 15; and then Corpus Christi on June 22; and the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29. May these feasts warm our hearts of God’s love for us.
Adoration: Thank you to everyone who are spending time in Eucharistic Adoration. Spending time with Jesus, the One who loves us more than anyone, is time worth spent. What a special time to pray for peace in our world and in our families.
KC: I was in Kansas City earlier this week for the installation Mass for Archbishop Shawn McKnight for the Archdiocese of Kansas City. One of the highlights was talking together with Archbishop Paul Coakley and Archbishop Ed Weisenburger, the former bishops of the Diocese of Salina. They send their greetings to all of you.
My niece: Last weekend, I was in Michigan for my niece’s wedding. She discerned religious life for many years. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, she moved to Los Angeles to work for the Carmelite Sisters. Within a couple weeks, she met a nice young man at the Church she attended. Come to find out, her grandparents went to the same Church 65 years earlier and had their first child baptized there before moving to Michigan. I told my niece that maybe she will have her first child baptized in LA but then move to Kansas!
Stat: Speaking of weddings, I was told by someone that the Diocese of Salina ranks first of all the dioceses in the U.S. with the highest ratio of Catholic marriages per Catholic population. I did know that our diocese is in the top five with the number of seminarians per Catholic population. I didn’t know about the marriage statistics. I think that’s great, but we still have a lot of work to do. Thanks for all your prayers for married vocations and priesthood vocations.
Sunflower: I have been meaning to publicize a wonderful opportunity for people who care for their elderly at home. Sunflower Adult Day Services, which is located next to the Cathedral, offers additional help for caretakers through a structured day program, with personal attention and tailored activities to meet the needs of each individual. They are now accepting new participants. Please call them at (785) 823-6666 to discuss how they can help.
With my love and prayers,
Bishop Vincke
Some quotes on the Ascension:
“If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Seek the things that are above, not the thing that are on earth.”
~ St. Paul, Colossians 3:1-4
“Had Christ remained on earth, sight would have taken the place of faith.”
~ Venerable Servant of God Fulton Sheen
“The Ascension was the triumph of redeemed man. It is the completion of his redemption. It was the last act, making the whole sure, for now man is actually in heaven.”
~ St. John Henry Newman