WYOMING CATHOLIC Volume 59 | REGISTERIssue 4 | December 2020 BishopCommunion Steven Biegler for mission dvent is a season of new hope. No shine before others, that they may see the Risen Lord, and the Sacrament of the matter what happens, we rejoice your good deeds and glorify your heav- Eucharist is an encounter that we describe in hope. Society is troubled by enly Father” (Mt. 5:16). Now more than as Holy Communion. What a gift! disease,A violence, racial tension, natural ever, we must shine before others with the disasters, political con ict, and division. Light of Christ. What is the most e ective Yet, Eucharistic faith is more than a is year has been marked by relentless way to be witnesses of his light? private love for Jesus. Participation in struggle and unrest. Yet, “the light shines Baptism, Con rmation, Eucharist, and in the darkness, and the darkness did A New Path of Hope Reconciliation form us and reconcile us not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5). In Advent our as the One Body of Christ. This is an First, remember that Christ is the source of essential truth of the faith; that is, the hope is rekindled by the memory of Jesus’ “Without me you can do light. He said, Eucharist not only unites us with the birth and the promise of his nal coming. nothing” (Jn. 15:5). erefore, union with Risen Lord Jesus, but also unites us as We are sent to bring his light and hope Christ is the starting point. For Catholics, the Body of Christ. the Sacraments are unique encounters with to the world. Jesus said, “Your light must CONTINUED ON PAGE 2. Read about moving closer to God as a Church during this Advent on Page 8. 2 WYOMING CATHOLIC REGISTER | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2020 COMMUNION FOR MISSION, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 . tain ranges, severe winter conditions, munion for Mission” among the laity, and lengthy distances between towns religious, and clergy. intensify isolation. Only pioneers with intestinal fortitude could survive here. Co-responsible for the Mission of Grit, determination, and perseverance Christ thrive in Wyoming. These qualities Every parish will formulate a pastoral are to be revered. Yet, fierce indepen- plan. A guidebook, which contains dioc- dent strength must be balanced with esan priorities and goals for Vision 2030, commitment to deliberate sustained is available for clergy and lay leaders in communion as the Body of Christ if both English and Spanish. e reason for we are to remain true to the Eucharist. a pastoral plan is for a parish to strength- We can get easily caught up in the en its capacity to evangelize. It sharpens divisions of our world. We are not the focus on the mission of Christ. A immune from the polarizing politi- vibrant faith community constantly cal climate. Social media proliferate examines how well it is living the mission mean-spirited sentiments further received in Baptism. inciting rancor and division. How rough Baptism, Con rmation, and challenging it is to be people of unity Eucharist, we were gifted with the Holy today! Yet, these countersigns of the Spirit and made sharers in the mission of To be Catholic is to live the doctrine of Kingdom of God are indications of Christ, who is Priest, Prophet, and King. being One Body in Christ. The Light of how much the world needs our wit- Every baptized person is co-responsible Christ will shine through us most effec- ness of unity as the Body of Christ. It for his mission. Each one of us shares in tively if we live our communion with is a new path of hope. his priestly, prophetic, and royal ministry. him by living in communion with one another. Perhaps nothing is more needed Nur��ring a Cult�re of Communion Christ’s mission is described best in the in society today than the witness of our I chose as a theme for the Vision gospels as Jesus urges us to imitate him. unity in Christ. This is the most effective 2030 Pastoral Plan: Communion for He taught us to wash feet and to serve way to shine with the Light of Christ. Mission: One Body in Christ, One him in the least among us (Mt. 25:40). “Whoever wishes to be great Paschal Journey. Our unity in Christ He said, In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope among you will be your servant; whoev- is essential, not only to overcome the Francis proposes a new path of hope. He er w ishes to be rst among you will be present trials, but also to thrive in our envisions renewed fraternity and social the slave of all. For the Son of Man did mission. friendship in our world. This begins in not come to be served but to serve and our parishes and as one diocese. If we At times, parishes act like rivals with to give his life as a ransom for many” live our unity as the Body of Christ, then other parishes, or minorities might (Mk. 10:43-45). we will model for the world a new way not feel integrated into the parish, “As the Father forward. We will engender hope in an rather than as brothers and sisters in He told the disciples, sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy otherwise angry and bitter world. one family of faith. Schools compete Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are for- with local parishes for resources and given them” “Make dis- Beyond Fierce Independence may feel at odds, some friction exists (Jn. 20:21-23). ciples of all nations, baptizing them in Two years ago, diocesan leaders began a between the diocese and parishes, the name of the Father, and of the Son, process of pastoral planning, titled Vision or individuals may express dissent and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them 2030. We identified facets in the current against Pope Francis. Every kind of to observe all that I have commanded culture of the Diocese of Cheyenne, and discord weakens our witness and you” we envisioned what culture shifts were impedes our mission. We all need to (Mt. 28:19-20). essential for fostering a more vibrant pray and strive for communion in the As each parish develops a pastoral plan, Church. One person said, “Fierce inde- Body of Christ. they will recall Jesus’ merciful example. pendence and rugged individualism. It St. John Paul II wrote: “Communion and How he empowers us with the same Spir- helps us survive the harsh climate and it that he received from the Father. How rural isolation but hampers our unity as mission are profoundly connected with each other; … communion gives rise to he promised to be with us until the end Church.” So, we envisioned a culture of “May mission, and mission is accomplished in of the ages. And how he prayed, stronger diocesan unity and identity, with an they all be one, as you, Father, are in communion” (Christi deles Laici, 32). attitude of welcome, accompaniment, under- me and I in you, that they also may be Our mission will not thrive unless we are standing, solidarity, and integration for all. in us, that the world may believe that One Body in Christ. While recognizing you sent me” It is challenging to be united in a diocese the variety of spiritual gifts among us, (Jn. 17:22-23). We are that encompasses the entire state. Moun- please join me in praying daily for “Com- co-responsible for this mission. WYOMING CATHOLIC REGISTER | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2020 3 Comuniónl Adviento es una temporada para de nueva espe-la misióntar una Iglesia más vibrante. Una persona fuente y el fruto de la misión: la comunión es mi- ranza. Pase lo que pase, nos regocijamos en dijo: “Independencia feroz e individualismo sionera y la misión es para la comunión.” (Chris- la esperanza. La sociedad está perturbada por rudo. Nos ayuda a sobrevivir al duro clima y ti deles Laici, 32). Nuestra misión no prosperará Eenfermedades, violencia, tensión racial, desastres el aislamiento rural, pero obstaculiza nuestra a menos que seamos un solo cuerpo en Cristo. Si naturales, con ictos políticos y división. Este año unidad como Iglesia”. Entonces, vislum- bien reconoce la variedad de dones espirituales ha estado marcado por incesantes luchas y disturbi- bramos una cultura de unidad e identidad entre nosotros, únase a mí en oración diaria por os. Sin embargo, “la luz brilla en las tinieblas, y las diocesana más fuerte, con una actitud de la “Comunión para la Misión” entre los laicos, tinieblas no la vencieron” (Jn. 1: 5). En el Adviento, acoger, acompañamiento, comprensión, y religiosos y clericós. nuestra esperanza se reaviva con el recuerdo del solidaridad e integración mutua. nacimiento de Jesús y la promesa de su venida nal. Es un desafío estar unidos en una diócesis Cor�esponsable de la Misión de Cristo Somos enviados para llevar su luz y esperanza al que abarca todo el estado. Las montañas, las Cada parroquia formulará un plan pastoral. Una mundo. Jesús dijo: “Que brille su luz ante los hom- severas condiciones invernales y las largas guía, que contiene las prioridades y metas dioc- bres; que vean estas buenas obras, y por ello den distancias entre las ciudades intensi can el esanas para la Visión 2030, está disponible para gloria al Padre de ustedes que está en los Cielos” aislamiento. Solo los pioneros con fortaleza el clero y los líderes laicos en inglés y español. La (Mt. 5:16). Ahora más que nunca, debemos brillar intestinal podrían sobrevivir aquí. El valor, razón de un plan pastoral es para que la parroquia ante los demás con la Luz de Cristo.