With fifteen months now under my belt, I’m excited to begin a series of listening sessions as we begin a formal process of discerning and defining our Mission as the local church of the Archdiocese of Anchorage. We held the first session last week at Sacred Heart in Wasilla, and Read more…
In recent months, I’ve been prayerfully asking: “What kind of Church is God calling us to be today?” I believe that much of the answer lies in the papacy of Pope Francis. As St. Francis himself was called to ‘Renew my Church” I believe we are being called to a Read more…
The mission of the Church is to proclaim Christ to the world. The world has always needed this proclamation, and it is no different today. Our best, most credible proclamation of Christ comes in the form of witness, by the way we live, as much as by the creed we Read more…
“The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” With these words, St. Pope John Paul II began his last Encyclical on the Life of the Eucharist in Relationship to the Church. This simple statement has so many implications for our lives. To fully understand this teaching, we must begin with Read more…
Here is the homily form this year’s Chrism Mass in Anchorage. You can skip to the bottom if you wish to view the slideshow. Good evening, and welcome! Just like parents are happiest when all the kids are home, nothing makes a bishop happier than a full house for a Read more…
In today’s Gospel (John 14: 27-31) Jesus prepares his disciples for his passion and death. For the final time, he instructs them that he will be leaving them, but only to return. He reassures them that even though the ‘ruler of the world is coming,’ he has no power over Read more…
Today’s Gospel (John 21:1-19) is one of my favorites. In John’s Gospel this is the third time that Jesus appears to the disciples after being raised from the dead. I believe it took all three appearances for the disciples to finally fully understand the significance of the resurrection for their Read more…
The Church of the Diocese of Cheyenne gathered at St. Patrick in Casper for our Chrism Mass this evening. Despite winter weather across the southern part of the state, I’m told that attendance tonight was the largest gathered for a Chrism Mass in the history of the Diocese. Praise God! Read more…
Though not verbatim, here is the essence of my homily from last night’s Chrism Mass. Sorry, no pictures this year. CHRISM MASS HOMILY March 26, 2015; St. Patrick Catholic Church, Casper Wyoming The Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne, Bishop of Cheyenne The readings we have just heard announce the incredible Read more…
In the readings this Sunday, we hear how Eli helped Samuel understand that God was calling him. We hear how St. John the Baptist points the way to the Lamb of God. And once Andrew follows and discovers Christ, he goes to bring his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. We Read more…