Diocese of Dodge City 1951-2001
Jubilee Pilgrimage: A Spiritual Journey Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Jubilee of the Diocese of Dodge City
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| The logo "Gather to a Greatness" is a line drawing of the obverse side of the commemorative coin and parish sign that was commissioned by the diocese. This theme links the earlier capital campaign with the future gathering of the faith community. | The reverse side of the coin and sign depicts the Coronado cross which symbolizes the foundation of the Catholic faith in Southwest Kansas in 1541 and the patroness of the diocese for whom the cathedral will be named, the Virgin of Guadalupe and San Diego. |
| Printable Order Form for Anniversary Coins | |
Jubilee Year Celebration Begins
It was at once a celebration of unity and diversity, as more than 400 people of God from all 50 parishes in the Diocese of Dodge City gathered for the preliminary Diocesan Anniversary Mass Sept. 10 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The Mass both celebrated the diversity of the Church of Southwest Kansas, and introduced more than a year of celebration, preparation and reconciliation leading to the Sept. 12, 2001 50th anniversary of the diocese, and the Dec. 9, 2001 dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City.
To further stress the unity of the diocese -- its parishes and religious communities-- the Diocesan one representative from each parish, the three hospitals in the diocese and the Dominican Convent in Great Bend, were asked to bring to the Mass a small bottle of tap water. The water was placed in a vessel, blessed by Bishop Gilmore and used in the sprinkling rite during the liturgy. The blessed water was then returned to the parishes to be poured into the holy water font at their particular site as a symbol of the common bond that binds the diocesan community into one worshipping community. The year of celebration leading up to the Sept. 9, 2001 50th anniversary will include spiritual enrichment programs presented in each parish cluster.
Following the jubilee year Mass, the celebration continued at the Knights of Columbus Hall where Bishop Gilmore blessed signs that were presented to each parish. The signs depicted the new cathedral and the people of the diocese on one side, and Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Coronado Cross on the other. They will be placed on the grounds of each church, religious community, and health care facility in the diocese.
 Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City, KS |  St. John the Baptist Church, Spearville, KS |
The Diocesan Anniversary Committee, chaired by Sister Pat McGreevy, chancellor of the Dodge City Diocese, is responsible for the "tangible" elements of the anniversary celebration, including a historical text currently being penned, a commemorative coin and the kickoff celebration, among others.
The kickoff event comes on the heels of Bishop Gilmore's Lenten conversations, held in April, during which he spoke to representatives throughout the diocese via closed circuit TV. During the conversations, he urged his flock to "dig deeper" into their faith and to "make this Church young again."
Along with other celebratory events, the year will mark a time of spiritual "R and R" (reconciliation and renewal) for the faith of the diocese, and will include opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, prayer and dialogue with bishop Gilmore presented at individual parishes.
The anniversary will also mark the soon-to-be completed Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City, which will join the parishes of Sacred Heart Cathedral and the current Our Lady of Guadalupe into a single parish.
"Integrated in all of this is the building of the new cathedral," Sister Patricia McGreevy said. "The celebration of the anniversary and the celebration of the dedication of the cathedral are all one piece."
In light of the new cathedral and the anniversary celebration, the diocese has commissioned a bronze coin picturing the cathedral and its flock on one side, with Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego on the other. The coin will read "Gather to a Greatness: 50th Anniversary" on one side, and "Diocese of Dodge City, 1951-2001" on the other. This coin is available for purchase. It is attractively packaged and includes a walnut stand for display purposes. An order form is provided below.
By the time for the celebration of the 50th anniversary, Tim Wenzl, editor of the Southwest Kansas Register, will have completed a historical text of the diocese, including photos and personal accounts.
