Deafness: This weekend, we hear of Jesus healing a mute and deaf man. What happened then is happening now. Jesus desires to heal our spiritual deafness—when we don’t take time to listen to another, sometimes even interrupting what they have to say; when we have selective hearing only hearing what we want to hear; and when we have a tingling to hear gossip and the faults of others.
World Day: In 2021, Pope Francis established the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly on the fourth Sunday of July, near the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus (July 26). The U.S. bishops have approved the transfer of the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in the U.S. to the first weekend after Labor Day in September to coincide with National Grandparents (and the Elderly) Day in the United States as many local communities, schools, and parishes have celebrated for some time. The theme for the 2024 celebration selected by the pope is “Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Psalm 71:9). Pope Francis grants a plenary indulgence for Catholics across the United States who celebrate the fourth World Day for Grandparents and Elderly on September 8, 2024, under the usual conditions for such indulgences. See the apostolic decree here.
Birthday: This Sunday, September 8, is the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary time and is also the day in which we celebrate the birth of our Blessed Mother. More on that at the end of this e-news.
Conference: Excited to share that we will have another Eucharistic Conference on August 9-10, 2025, at the Campus Center of Fort Hays State University. Please mark your calendars. So many people have shared comments on how much they enjoyed this year’s conference. I am especially grateful to the committee who put all things together and are on board for next year’s conference too.
The Cross: I always look forward to my annual visit to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer on September 15 at 3 pm. If you haven’t visited, please stop by. It’s a beautiful Church!
Catechetical: September 15 is Catechetical Sunday. The theme for that Sunday is taken from Matthew 25: “Lord, when did we see you hungry?” Thank you to the volunteers and parents who give so generously of their time and talent to serve as catechists in our parishes.
Renewal: The priests will be at their annual Spiritual Renewal Days from September 16-19. Please pray for us!
Pio: I will be visiting the St. Pio Chapel at St. John the Baptist Church in Beloit on Sunday, September 22, at Noon to celebrate the feast day (September 23) of St. Padre Pio. As many of you know, the Church hosts a first-class relic of this marvelous saint. All are invited to attend.
Boxes: Once again, in collaboration with Cross Catholic Outreach, we are asking people to fill ‘boxes of joy’ which will go to the poorest of the poor in Central and South America as Christmas gifts. Contact your local parish office about how to get a Box of Joy for your family to fill. Thank you in advance.
Junior: I visited the junior CYO camp this past weekend. I enjoyed seeing all the junior high students having so much fun. What most impressed me were the high school and college students who gave up their weekend to be counselors during the camp. We are blessed with so many great young people in our diocese who desire to serve.
Heros: Not to embarrass this priest, but I saw a photo of Fr. Damian Richards from Hays talking Comic Con with the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas group at the Center Stage Theater Camp. The Center Stage Theatre Camp is an organization devoted to celebrating the talents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Northwest Kansas. Glad to see Fr. Damian sharing his love for Comics with others! You can see the photos and learn more on their Facebook page.
Playground: This past Wednesday, I blessed the new school addition at St. Andrew’s Catholic School in Abilene along with the new playground. I think their playground area is top-notch. They have one piece of playground equipment called Spider Mountain in which you climb the ropes to get to the top. I could only make it halfway!
Land: Congratulations to all those who received the Rural Life Office Century Farm Award and the new Golden Business Award (for 50+ years of a continuously run/owned Catholic family business). Look for the article on the happenings in the September issue of the Register.
Earth: Speaking of our land, the first Sunday of September is designated as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope Francis stated, “Christians are called to ‘an ecological conversion’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. For living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” What is one thing, even if it’s one small thing, that we can do to care for God’s creation?
Border Visit: I went to visit the border of Texas and Mexico a few weekends ago. I will share about my visit in this month’s Register.
Migration: The last Sunday of September is designated as the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This day is marked to encourage Catholics across the globe to express concern for vulnerable persons on the move, to join together in prayer, and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration can offer. PLEASE read Pope Francis’ Message for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024.
Festival: I encourage you to attend the Hispanic Festival in Manhattan at Seven Dolors Parish on Sunday, September 29, beginning at 3 pm. This will be a great opportunity to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Hope to see you there.
Shield of Peace: This Sunday evening at St. Isidore’s Campus Center in Manhattan, I have the honor to bless an image of Mary, Shield of Peace (as we celebrate Mary’s birthday). This devotion was developed by someone local. We all desire peace, and peace begins with each one of us. The image and prayer to Mary, Shield of Peace are below.
With my love and prayers,
Bishop Vincke
