VOL. 78 NO. 10 WWW.BISMARCKDIOCESE.COM NOVEMBER 2019 Dakota Catholic Action Reporting on Catholic action in western ND since 1941 Rejuvenating a diocese Fr. Vetter Remembering Bishop John Kinney named bishop By Sonia Mullally DCA Editor Father Austin A. Vetter was appointed When Bishop Kinney arrived in by Pope Francis on Oct. 8 as the Bishop of 1982, the young and lively priest was the Diocese of Helena, the Catholic diocese for fi lled with ideas and plans, set to western Montana. rejuvenate the diocese. Father Vetter is only He had been appointed an the second diocesan auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese priest to be named of St. Paul-Minneapolis in January bishop — the fi rst 1977, at 39 years old, the youngest native of the Diocese bishop in the U.S. Five years later, in of Bismarck. The other 1982, he became the fi fth bishop of was Bishop Sylvester Fr. Austin A. Vetter Bismarck. In 1995, he was transferred Treinen, originally from to the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minn. Minnesota, who was ordained a priest of The native Minnesotan headed the Bismarck Diocese in 1946 and served the Diocese of St. Cloud until his here until being named Bishop of Boise, retirement in 2013. Idaho in 1962. Retired Bishop John Kinney of St. Bishop Kagan said of Fr. Vetter, “Thank Cloud died Sept. 27 while under the God that he has the courageous faith to say care of hospice. He was 82. ‘yes’ and be a shepherd of God’s people. He will do very well and he will always be Changing the structure a credit to Christ and our Church and to When Bishop Kinney took over the his home diocese.” Diocese of Bismarck, the diocesan Bishop-elect Vetter will be ordained and staff and offi ces were very minimal. installed as the Bishop of Helena on Nov. During his time here, he opened 20, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. He several diocesan offi ces creating takes over for the former Helena Bishop the framework for the staff there is George Thomas, who was appointed as today. He established offi ces such as the bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas in liturgy, religious education and youth February 2018. ministry, just to name few. Bishop-elect Vetter is the 11th bishop Monsignor Gene Lindemann of the Helena Diocese established in was the fi rst diocesan priest to be 1884 that includes 51,922 square miles ordained by Bishop Kinney in 1983. of western and north central Montana, In his current role as the moderator encompassing 21 counties and parts of two of the curia and vicar general, Msgr. Bishop John Kinney others. The diocese has 57 parishes and 38 missions. Lindemann oversees the diocesan often spending time in the parishes and staff structure that was put in place by Bishop schools. Bishop Kinney began the Town and First Mass as bishop-elect Kinney. Country Celebration tradition that continues At his fi rst Mass celebrated as bishop- “Bishop Kinney immediately set out building today. Monsignor Lindemann described him elect of Helena on Oct. 8, Fr. Vetter said a ‘structure’ that would enliven and build up as collaborative, and a good listener who was it had been an overwhelming time for the faith of the people of the diocese and engage open, supportive and encouraging. him and asked for everyone’s prayers. He them in the life of the Church more fully,” Msgr. “He had a great sense of humor,” said Msgr. told the congregation at the noon Mass at the Cathedral of St. Helena that he’s Lindemann noted. Lindemann. “He was very social, often opening trying to get used to all the new things that New offi ces meant a need for space to house his residence for gatherings and dinners.” come with being a bishop like wearing the them. In the summer of 1984, the diocese Bishop Kinney had come from rural roots, purchased the Cathedral convent on the corner zucchetto and pectoral cross among other and he enjoyed the rural setting of western things. of Washington Street and Avenue B and North Dakota. He even decided to live in the remodeled the interior to create the Center for “I feel at home here. I really do. I country about eight miles east of Bismarck, already love you,” he said during Mass. “I Pastoral Ministry. rather than at the established bishop’s “Bishop Kinney encouraged and promoted knew when I crossed the border coming residence near the Cathedral. At the “ranch,” into the Diocese of Helena that this is my the lay faithful to use their gifts and talents,” he enjoyed raising peacocks and doves, and his home and I don’t regret saying ‘yes’ one explained Msgr. Lindemann, noting that this dog, Sabacca, a white Russian wolfhound, all bit.” wasn’t a usual practice prior to the Vatican had free reign. Continued on page 3 II Council. “He embarked on a planning His love of the people was infectious and process, which involved listening to many folks he loved all people, throughout the diocese to determine where we most of all, his priests. were as a diocese and where we needed to go.” “Bishop Kinney Love for the people had a great love A LOOK INSIDE Bishop Kinney is remembered as a kind, for the priests and pastoral leader who loved to be with people, Continued on page 7 Q&A with Bishop-Elect Deacon Smith ordained Bishop-Elect Austin Vetter shares some Diocesan Seminarian Deacon Christian thoughts prior to being ordained Bishop Smith was ordained to the transitional of the Diocese of Helena ...........Page 3 diaconate on Oct. 3 ........................Page 7 | NOVEMBER 2019 2 Dakota Catholic Action Bishop David D. Kagan A month of joyful remembrance vision, heaven. The Church wants is most pleasing to Almighty God the bishop who ordains him, FROM THE BISHOP us to celebrate these two days and and it is He Who rewards us for he makes a solemn and public this month as a time of profound our sincere acts of mercy. promise of respect and obedience gratitude to Almighty God for His By now, you are aware of the to his bishop and his successor mercy to all and as a time of joyful great blessing and honor the bishops. Now, we are privileged to remembrance of all who loved and Lord God has bestowed on Father see this promise put into practice served Him and their neighbor. Austin Vetter, now Bishop-Elect and let us all be grateful for the Moreover, these two beautiful Vetter of the Diocese of Helena. As courageous faith which impelled feasts on the fi rst two days of he has been called to the fullness Fr. Vetter to keep his promise November remind us of that of the priesthood of Jesus Christ and which is kept by every one of article of faith which we profess and the apostolic ministry, and our priests each day. It is a visible in the communion of saints and as he has humbly and generously replica of the obedience of Jesus in of which we are a part. November said “yes” to the Lord, know doing the will of the Father. 1 is a holy day of obligation and that all our good priests and our This year the month of our duty to attend and participate diocese have been honored and November will be a memorable Bishop David D. Kagan at Holy Mass is the very same as blessed as well. one for our diocese and I ask and that of every Sunday. Should we A portion of this issue of our urge you to immerse yourselves n the Church’s liturgical year, not do so through our own fault or diocesan newspaper is about the in our Catholic life at Holy Mass, the month of November is neglect, we commit a mortal sin. bishop-elect and I hope you enjoy at adoration of the Blessed Ithat specifi c time during Fortunately, in our diocese, Holy reading about this moment. At the Sacrament and in the greater which we Catholics are urged to Mass is readily available to all same time, I ask you to pray for practice of the corporal and direct our prayers and sacrifi ces Catholics either on the vigil of the your priests in a special way that spiritual works of mercy. May it to the poor souls in purgatory for holy day or the day itself. they will continue to serve us all all be for the greater honor and their consolation in their time of This year, I ask a special favor with that priestly zeal for souls we glory of Almighty God and for an purgative love. We do this most of every Catholic and that is to all need. increase in the virtues of faith, conscious of the fact that their pray for the eternal rest and When a priest kneels before hope and charity in your lives. day of holy commemoration is peace of Bishop John Kinney and preceded by the great Solemnity Bishop Paul Zipfel, both of whom BISHOP’S SCHEDULE of All Saints who persevered in died this year. As you pray this their earthly lives of faith, hope month for your own beloved dead, NOVEMBER 2019 and charity and now rest for all include them in your prayers. This Nov. 1 • Candlelight Gala, University of Mary, Bismarck, 6 p.m. eternity in the glorious beatifi c is a spiritual work of mercy which Nov. 3 • Farewell Banquet for the Most Reverend Austin A.