On October 11, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI will initiate a Year of Faith. This is a celebration for the Universal Church to renew our life and faith in Jesus Christ. The celebration recalls the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. As a diocese, we will also make this a celebration of our 125 anniversary as a diocese.
I wish to invite our local Church of the Diocese of Cheyenne to join us in our kickoff of this Year of Faith. Due to the size of our diocese, we are offering two Masses to celebrate the beginning of this great year.
Saturday, October 6, the Western half of the diocese is invited to join us for Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lander (163 Leedy Road, East of Lander) for a 2:00 Mass. On Saturday, October 13, the Eastern half of the diocese will gather at St. Patrick in Casper (400 Country Club Road). Each celebration will follow the same format.
The day will begin with a Youth Rally from 10:00 – 1:00. This will be for all youth currently in 6th – 12th grades. The rally will include worship, music, games, speakers and stories of faith, as well as a great opportunity to build relationships with youth from around the diocese. The Youth Rally will also include a parent session.
Prior to Mass, priests will gather at the church at 1:00 to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a great opportunity to prepare for this grace-filled year, as well as the celebration of the Eucharist that follows at 2:00. These Masses will meet the weekend Sunday obligation for all in attendance.
One of the great challenges we face in this diocese and its vast distances is the opportunity to come together as a diocesan family on occasion to build a sense of identity and unity as Church, as the Body of Christ, the one family of God. These Year of Faith celebrations are a great opportunity to make that extra effort to come join your brothers and sisters in Christ and celebrate our faith, and our union with the Universal Church.
On a final note, it is not too late to join the choirs for these two Masses. You may contact Fr. Rob Spaulding at St. Paul Newman Center in Laramie for more information.
Please come and be a part of this great celebration of faith! I look forward to seeing you!
Peace,
Bishop Etienne
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