Finn and Betty McCarthy were honored at a special ceremony at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Wednesday evening, January 20, 2016. Mr. & Mrs. McCarthy are the recipients of a distinguished service award known as the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and Pope.) This is the highest medal Read more…
Yesterday was indeed an inspiring start to the pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the United States. In his remarks to the US Bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral he made clear his desire for the people in the United States to know that he comes to embrace each and everyone of Read more…
Prieshood Ordination Homily: May 22, 2015 Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne St. Mary’s Cathedral, Cheyenne, Wyoming Deacon Hiep Nguyen & Deacon Augustine Carrillo My dear friends, welcome to the St. Mary’s Cathedral. Welcome to the Diocese of Cheyenne. I wish to extend a special word of welcome and of thanks Read more…
After another cold snap, it is nice to have a clear blue sky day with the sound of runoff from melting snow. Though Wyoming is just entering our two biggest months for snowfall, there is a renewed spring in my step with a forecast of warming temperatures. This week has Read more…
Today’s Mass has for its first reading a passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. One of the verses was chosen as the theme for the 1987 Papal Visit of now St. Pope John Paul II to the United States. The overarching theme for the Trip was: Unity In Read more…
During last night’s Confirmation Mass at the Cathedral, I shared with those to be confirmed news I received early Sunday morning. I learned of the death of a friend and former parishioner from my nine years as pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Albany, Indiana. I shared this Read more…
While yesterday’s ordination is still vivid and fresh in memory, I wish to share a few thoughts. The Cathedral has been full in my time as bishop for numerous other joyful celebrations, but this standing room only congregation came to celebrate like none I have witness before. Clearly, the local Read more…
On this Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we receive some great wisdom for living a fruitful Christian life. The prophet Isaiah reminds us of the ebb and flow of the spiritual life. In the 49th Chapter of Isaiah, the first 13 versus speak of the restoring love of God, and Read more…
Today’s readings in many ways pick up where last Sunday’s celebration of the Presentation left off. Last week we heard Simeon proclaim that his eyes have seen the Lord’s promise of salvation … a light to reveal you to the nations. Jesus Christ is this Light of the world, as proclaimed Read more…
Years ago I worked more closely with seminarians as a vocation director, and later as a vice rector of a college seminary. I learned then (and recalled from my own years as a seminarian) that seminarians have a unique capacity to exaggerate the elements of their priestly formation. For example, Read more…