An invitation to the feast

Click here for a listing of those who served at the Mass of Chrism, as well as parish representatives.

Click here for Bishop Gilmore's homily from the Chrism Mass.

Although he was sitting in a new Dodge City cathedral, Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman looked at home as he peered out over the congregation during the Mass of Chrism March 13. There were, of course, many familiar faces of the clergy and laity -- those with whom he had worked and served over his 15 years as bishop.

Bishop Schlarman was among five jubilarians and two honorees being recognized at the sacred Mass: Msgr. Patrick Leahy for 70 years of service; Msgr. Brian Moore, 25 years; Deacon Dwaine and Louise Lampe, 25 years; Deacon Erasmo and Olga Rodriguez, 25 years; Deacon Richard and Margery Rondeau, now retired after 33 years of ministry; and Grand Knight Andy Kimble, for his invaluable service following the Greensburg tornado.

"They are an exceptional group of men who have accepted the call to be with the Lord, and to hand him on to others," Bishop Ronald Gilmore told those gathered.

The Chrism Mass is a celebration of the priesthood and religious life, honoring all those who devote their lives to the Lord. During the Mass, all the priests renewed the commitment they professed at their ordination.

"Are you resolved to unite yourselves more closely to Christ and to try to become more like him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to bring his peace and love to your brothers and sisters?" Bishop Ronald Gilmore asked.

"I am," the priests responded.

And the Mass is a celebration of the blessing of the Holy Oils, which are taken by parish representatives back to their church to be used throughout the year.

The holy oils are closely tied with sacred rituals of the Church: the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint those who are ill; the Oil of Catechumens is for the anointing of those preparing for baptism; and the Sacred Chrism is used for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination, and the dedication of a church and altar.

It’s a moving sight: Bishop Gilmore, his arm outstretched over the oils, blessing them with full knowledge that they will be used in the most deeply spiritual moments in a person’s life.

In his homily, Bishop Gilmore spoke of a line from Psalm 36: "They feast on the riches of your house."

"When we gather, priests and people, as a diocesan community, we do so to feast on the riches of this house," he said.

"...We feast on the Word proclaimed in this house. The Word of God is like a mirror held up before us. In it we can see ourselves fully for the first time. In it we can hear the call to conversion that was so essential in Jesus’ message ...."

After the Mass, as the congregation dined on roast pork in the Holy Family Social Hall, volunteers carefully distributed oil from the large flasks into smaller containers brought by the parish representatives.

At the reception, Bishop Schlarman told those gathered that he had seen in the SKR that 150 people took part in the Feb. 10 Rite of Election celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

During the Rite of Election in Illinois, he said there were 300 taking part.

"What I want to point out is that the Diocese of Belleville has over 100,000 Catholics. You’re a third of that size perhaps, and you had 150. You’re doing well!"

El 13 de Marzo, representantes de las parroquias de la Diócesis se reunieron en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para la Misa de Crisma y la bendición de los santos óleos.

Los santos óleos están íntimamente ligados con los rituales sagrados de la Iglesia Católica. El Aceite de los Enfermos se utiliza para la unción de los enfermos; el Aceite de Catecumenos se utiliza para los bautizos; y el Aceite de Crismo se utiliza para los sacramentos de Bautismo, Confirmación Orden Sacerdotal y para la dedicación de una iglesia o de un altar.

La homilía de Obispo Gilmore:

"El Salmo 36 tiene una línea que a veces resalta ante mi: ellos celebran con las riquezas de tu casa. Cuando nos reunimos, sacerdotes y la gente, como una comunidad diocesana, lo hacemos para festejar sobre las riquezas de esta casa.

"Nos deleitamos por los materiales y la mano de obra de esta casa. Pienso en su forma altísima, de refugio, tan nostálgica, de la Tienda de Reunión, el lugar de revelación. Pienso en las obras de arte en esta casa y en los artistas que nos los dieron, tantos materiales, tantas formas, tanta habilidad en su fabricación. Festejamos a los sacerdotes y los diáconos en esta casa. Ellos son un grupo excepcional de hombres quienes han aceptado el llamado para estar con el Señor, y pasarlo a otros. Pienso especialmente en el Obispo Schlarman y el Monseñor Moore: el primero está celebrando su Cincuenta (50) aniversario como sacerdote, y el segundo está celebrando su Veinticinco (25) aniversario. También pienso en el Diácono Erasmo y el Diácono Dwaine: ambos están celebrando sus Veinticinco (25) aniversarios.

"Festejamos la Palabra proclamada en esta casa. La Palabra de Dios es como un espejo levantado ante nosotros. En él, nos podemos ver completamente nosotros mismos por primera vez. En él podemos escuchar el llamado a la conversión que fue tan esencial en el mensaje de Jesús.

"Festejamos los recuerdos que se mezclan y se entremezclan en esta casa. Pienso en la memoria de Jesús él mismo, y de la Iglesia de los Apóstoles. Pienso en las memorias de esta casa que cada uno de ustedes tiene, sus años de tratar de entender al Señor, de tratar de ver que él esta pidiendo de usted.

"Festejamos la economía sacramental entera de esta casa, en los signos visibles y las palabras audibles que nos llevan la gracia de Cristo. Pienso sobre todo en la Eucaristía en sí , extendiendo un sacrificio de Cristo a través del espacio y del tiempo.

"Festejamos hoy las riquezas de esta casa. ¡Y cuántas más hayan! Todo lo que usted ve. Todo lo que usted toca. Todo lo que usted oye. Todo que usted huele, el olor delicado del crisma - bálsamo enlazado, del cual esta misa toma su nombre. La riquezas asombrosas de esta casa. Festeje bien hoy. Y haga nuevas memorias."

Después de la Misa, se sirvió un lonche en el Fellowship Hall.