Power
In this weekend’s gospel (Mark 5: 21-43), we see Jesus grappling with two things that cause us fear and anxiety: sickness and death. Jairus approaches Jesus to ask him to heal his dying daughter. Along the way, a woman who had been sick for twelve years and tried all the remedies but only got worse, said to herself, “If I touch her clothes, I can be healed. Many people touched Jesus as he walked, but this woman was different. When she touched him, Jesus felt the power come out of him because of her faith. This is a great lesson for us: come to Jesus in faith. When we come to Jesus in faith, power comes from him. Meanwhile, Jairus’ daughter dies. Jesus resuscitates her, just as someone wakes up from a nap. This is what happens when you die. Jesus awakens us to new life.
Seven
In our diocese we have seven churches named after Saint Joseph. The year of Saint Joseph ends on December 8, 2021, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. I invite the people of the diocese to make a pilgrimage to any of the seven churches named after Saint Joseph. With it comes a plenary indulgence. Further information will be posted in the News and Updates section of the diocesan website on Monday, June 28.
Help
This Sunday June 27 is the feast of the patron saint of our diocese, Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours. We are grateful for all the love and tenderness that Our Lady has for our diocese. I encourage everyone in the diocese to join in the prayer of this simple novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Sunday. May we continue to go to her with all of our concerns and worries.
Charity
We are blessed in our diocese to have a thriving and ever-expanding Catholic charity, which has grown to serve more and more people each year. On July 17th, they will be hosting their annual fundraiser at the Salina Country Club. To purchase tickets or support Catholic charities if you are unable to attend, please visit https://ccnks.org/greentie. Thank you for all your generosity and support for Catholic charities and our diocese.
Grandiose
On the fourth Sunday of July, the Sunday closest to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, which is celebrated on July 26, the Holy Father decided to establish throughout the Church the celebration of World Great Day. parents and the elderly. This is a new annual celebration in the Church. You are welcome to visit your parents / grandparents on this day as well as other elderly people. Please read the pope’s message for this special day and find out how to get a plenary indulgence to celebrate.
Youth
I had the chance to visit Prayer and Action and Totus Tuus groups a few times this summer. Of all accounts, these days are going well. I even heard a young man tell me after a week of prayer and action that it was the best week of his life. A parent who volunteered said it had been a fantastic week and had a profound impact on their son. We are so blessed to have these wonderful evangelistic opportunities in our diocese, and I am very grateful to all of the volunteers and staff who contribute to them.
Dodge
I was fortunate enough to preside over John Stang’s diaconal ordination for the Diocese of Dodge City a few weeks ago. John is from Great Bend. Before entering seminary, he worked for a small newspaper in Virginia. The Lord’s mysterious ways
Seminarians
Speaking of seminarians, we’re having our annual Seminarian Dinner on August 12th in Salina, followed by a Running Revs game on August 13th in Hays. Hope to see you there. Thank you for your support to our seminarians. Thank you for continuing to pray for more vocations to the priesthood!
Conference
On Saturday August 14, we have our 10e Annual Diocesan Men’s Conference at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. One of our speakers will talk about Saint Maximilian Kolbe on his feast day. Saint Maximilian is a remarkable saint who gave his life so that another man could live. There is “no greater love than to lay down your life for another”. Hope to see you there.
Source and Summit
Perhaps the most interesting topic that generated the most discussion at our recent USCCB meeting was to give approval to the Bishop’s Doctrine Committee to write a pastoral letter on the Eucharist. The committee will draft this document before our November meetings and then, if all goes well, we will vote on its approval.
Saints
Receiving our Lord in the Eucharist should hopefully lead us to charity. When people are ready to be canonized, the first thing they look for is personal charity: how have they helped others? At our meeting of the USCCB, we unanimously approved to advance two causes for canonization, for Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur, a WWII military chaplain, and for Brother Marinus (Léonard) LaRue, BSF a merchant sailor who became a Benedictine monk. Both men heroically helped the others.
Advice
A friend of mine shared the following words with me which I found very helpful. “Every minute, every day, our life is a privilege. Cherish it, thank God and make it important. Remember, we don’t always get what we want but, we could at least be grateful for what we have so far. It’s called grace! Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the problems we have and thank our Creator for all the problems we don’t! One easy way to be thankful is to close your eyes for a minute and think of those who have never had a chance to open them. Accept the past and give thanks for the lessons and experiences it has given. Welcome the future with happiness and be prepared for the new challenges to come. Be grateful in your daily trials, for to get your breakthrough you need trials and tribulations to break through. Always remember to thank God for what he has given you that you have not asked for, it is called a blessing.
Congratulations
Our communications office received national recognition for our new Catholic Media Association diocesan website. If you haven’t already, please visit our website at www.salinadiocese.org.
To harvest
Know that I pray for all of our farmers and for a bountiful harvest throughout the diocese as they combine their wheat.
Switch
Please pray for our priests as many of them will start new missions from July 1st. Thank you for your love and support for our clergy.
Vacation
I’m going on vacation for a few weeks starting June 28th. My plan is to do a lot of fishing, as well as to preside over my nephew’s wedding in Ohio and to preside over the baptism of another nephew’s daughter. I do a monthly ZOOM meeting with my family and call my mom regularly, but can’t wait to see them in person. I hope you all enjoy these beautiful summer days.
Be assured of my love and my prayers,
Bishop Vincke
The inspiration of Saints
“Patience alleviates a lot of difficulties. ” Saint John Bosco
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Don’t lose your inner peace over anything, even if everyone in your world seems upset. St. Francis DeSales
“We must take as a maxim never to be surprised by current difficulties, any more than by a passing breeze, because with a little patience we will see them disappear. Time changes everything. Saint Vincent DePaul
“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what he sends us every day in his goodness.” Saint Gianna Molla