The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
'Truly a princely house, a wondrous gift...'
By the Most Rev. John B. Brungardt
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
I remember when I first stepped foot in our Cathedral as a bishop-elect a year ago.
Magnificent. Massive. Holy.
King Solomon, thanking God for his new temple, said, “I have truly built you a princely house and dwelling, where you may abide forever” (2 Chronicles 6:2). The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is truly a princely house, a wondrous gift from God to the Catholic people of southwest Kansas. As I said at my first introduction to you, my new flock: “With trust in God, I hope to be a good shepherd to the people of southwest Kansas, from Odin to Elkhart, from Tribune to Kiowa. I was raised on a farm near Abilene, and I look forward to serving those in the farm and ranch lands, the towns and cities of the Dodge City diocese.” What a blessing to serve you in our 48 parishes. What a blessing we have in the mother church of our diocese, our beautiful Cathedral.
Korean nuns voice joy, gratitude for audience with Pope
by ELISE HARRIS
Seoul, South Korea, Aug 18, 2014 / 12:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News) - Two Korean nuns have expressed their excitement at having participated in an audience with Pope Francis, stating that his words on poverty and the witness of the martyrs were particularly impactful.
“I was very happy, thankful for his closeness. But for everyone, the whole people, they are very happy,” Sister Lee Hee Jung told CNA Aug. 17. “It’s a feeling that is difficult to express, because there are so many emotions that I felt – consolation, joy, gratitude, a feeling of surprise.”
It’s a “feeling that his words touch you,” she said, explaining that “he is a like a motor for us, he gives us energy, he moves us. He gives us strength. And this is hard to express in one word.”
Sister Lee, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her first profession this year, was one of the thousands of religious present for Pope Francis’ Aug. 16 audience with the religious communities of Korea, which was held at the Training Center “School of Love” in Kkottongnae.
General principles for Catholic voters
‘...We take responsibility for one another’
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of reflections related to the upcoming election offered by the leaders of the four dioceses in Kansas. The intention of this reflection (and those to follow) is not to endorse or oppose a particular candidate, political party, or political action committee. Instead, it is to show how human reasoning enlightened by our Catholic Faith shapes our thinking, choosing and acting in daily life, including the most basic obligation of citizenship: voting.
The practice of our Catholic Faith is not reserved only to Sunday or to the worship of God at Holy Mass; rather, it is a way of life intended to affect our thinking, speaking and acting, whether we are at home with family, at work, at play, or in the voting booth.
In this regard, our Catholic Faith is very relevant, and the practice of it makes the world a different, a better place. How? By making Catholics and the way we think, speak and act different, even better.
The practice of our Catholic Faith illumines our human reasoning and elevates us as persons. Our Catholic Faith forms in us the following values, just to name a few:
We are a part of others, not apart from them
We see ourselves as one with God, with other Catholics (all over the earth, in Purgatory and in Heaven), and with the human family in general. It makes a difference when we think not only of me and mine, but of we and ours as well, inclusive of God, family, friends, parishioners, fellow citizens, strangers, even enemies.
We care for others because we care about them
As a consequence of our oneness, we take responsibility for one another. Our duty to care for others is greatest when their ability to care for themselves is least. This duty begins and is greatest at the moment of conception until birth. It lessens, though never entirely as people grow into adulthood, and increases again as they age or become sick. Of course, our duty to care for others always remains great even towards adults when they are mentally or physically disabled, or are unable to secure for themselves the basics of a dignified life.
We regard human life as sacred
As just noted, our reverence for human life inspires us to care about and for others, especially to protect and defend people from harm. No one is justified in taking another human life, except in self-defense, as in a just war or capital punishment (though in the USA, in these modern times, the cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent, in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity to defend ourselves against an unjust aggressor). Homicide, suicide, abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research are actions that kill another human life and that can never be morally justified.
We honor marriage and family life
New human life is created as the fruit of the love between one man and one woman who by their own free will are joined by marriage in a faithful and life-long relationship. This is the ideal for marriage that we learn from nature and from God. We strive to promote and defend this ideal because it is the best way to conceive new life, to nurture a child with the unique love of both a father and a mother, and to teach a child how to live in society.
We respect the dignity of every human person
People have a fundamental right to life, which serves as the basis for their dignity and for their right to those things needed to live in dignity, for example: productive work and fair wages, food and shelter, education and health care, protection from harm, and the right to move from one country to another when these things are not available. How these things are made available to people is a matter of prudential judgment, where people of good will might disagree.
We serve, even make sacrifices, to benefit others
Service and sacrifice are among the best ways to show that our neighborly love is authentic, which in turn shows that our love of God is genuine. Our service is humble and our sacrifice complete such that no service is beneath our dignity and no sacrifice beyond us. If at a given moment we cannot respond in proportion to the need, we offer that we would if we could, and we will when we can.
We are stewards, not owners
No matter if we are talking about who we are, what we are able to do or what we have, and whether that is something we eat, wear or use, we recognize that it is not ours to do with as we please. Our role is rather to be responsible managers of all the above, for example: not owned, but loaned; to use, not abuse; to employ for the intention of the owner (God); and to share with others.
When we live these values we help to make the world a different, a better place. If we did not live them, or lived by opposing values, the world would indeed be different, but certainly not better. In the coming months there will be three more reflections like this one, on human life issues, the promotion of marriage and family life and the economy, aimed at forming consciences in preparation for the important act of voting.
Most Reverend
Joseph F. Naumann, D.D.,
Archdiocese of Kansas City
in Kansas
Most Reverend
Michael O. Jackels, S.T.D.,
Bishop of Wichita
Most Reverend
John B. Brungardt, D.D.,
Bishop of Dodge City
Very Reverend
Barry E. Brinkman, J.C.L.,
Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of Salina
Bishop delivers homily at ‘Red Mass’ in Topeka
Governor Brownback, legislators, in attendance
The Most Rev. John B. Brungardt delivered the homily at the “Red Mass” Feb. 9 at St. Joseph Parish in Topeka. The Red Mass is celebrated as a way to invoke the Holy Spirit, in this case, the Holy Spirit’s guidance upon Governor Sam Brownback, legislators and other public servants, as they serve the common good of the State of Kansas. The event was sponsored by the Kansas Catholic Conference. The governor, legislators, and other community leaders attended the Mass. Following is Bishop Brungardt’s homily in its entirety:
• • •
Welcome to all: Governor Brownback, legislators, judges, attorneys, staff, Kansas Catholic Conference, family, friends; welcome to this “Red Mass,” a votive Mass invoking the Holy Spirit’s protection and guidance upon those working in government and law. I’m Bishop John Brungardt of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City; with me are Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Bishop Michael Jackels of the Diocese of Wichita, and Father Barry Brinkman of the Diocese of Salina (filling in for Bishop-elect Edward Weisenburger, named February 6th by Pope Benedict XVI as the new bishop of Salina). Thank you all for your dedication to public office and public service in the great state of Kansas; we are blessed to have your commitment to improving the common good of our state.
As Catholic and Christians, we invoke, we call upon, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, for guidance in our lives. We marvel at the Pentecost event, as the apostles were “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Each of us received the Spirit at our baptism: “Through the Holy Spirit, Baptism is a bath that purifies, justifies, and sanctifies” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1226). In the sacrament of confirmation, we were strengthened with the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the holy anointing to imitate Christ and to spread and defend the Catholic Faith. Today we ask for this Loving Spirit’s strength and protection as we help the common good of the state of Kansas. As Catholics, the Spirit will assist us, in our homes, parishes, and our professional lives, to spread and defend the faith given us by our Savior Jesus Christ.
Conscience
'Asian youth, wake up!' Church needs your witness, Pope says
Haemi, South Korea, Aug 17, 2014 / 02:20 am (CNA/EWTN News) - Addressing thousands of young people from across Asia, Pope Francis emphasized the urgent need to “wake up” and spread Christ’s love throughout the continent, pointing to the martyrs as examples.
“Asian youth, wake up!” the Pope exclaimed.
“As young Christians, whether you are workers or students, whether you have already begun a career or have answered the call to marriage, religious life or the priesthood, you are not only a part of the future of the Church; you are also a necessary and beloved part of the Church’s present!” he said.
The Pope delivered the homily at the Aug. 17 Closing Mass of the 6th Asian Youth Day, which took place at Haemi Castle, a fortress that was used to imprison Christians during the 19th century. The Mass was held during the Pope’s historic Aug. 13-18 trip to South Korea.
Natural Family Planning:
the best kept secret in the diocese
By DAVID MYERS
Southwest Kansas Register
Editor’s Note: The following is the first in a continuing series on marriage, family life, and Natural Family Planning.
First the bad news: Since 1972, the number of Catholics in the United States has increased by nearly 17 million; yet, in the same time period there has been a decrease in marriages in the Catholic Church by an astounding 60 percent.
That’s 8.6 marriages per 1,000 in 1972, versus 2.6 per 1,000 today.
According to guest speakers at a Natural Family Planning seminar held recently at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, part of the reason for this – a large reason, in fact – is contraception.
The notion may seem difficult to accept. One of the reasons why so many fewer Catholics are marrying is the dramatic increase in the divorce rate. It’s understandable: the national divorce rate is at approximately 50 percent – that’s one out of two marriages ending in a divorce.
Here’s the good news: For those married couples using the Natural Family Planning (NFP) method for achieving or postponing pregnancy (instead of contraception), the divorce rate is a low 3.5 percent.
'You cannot hate in the name of God'
Mass of Thanksgiving follows cathedral mortgage burning
By DAVID MYERS
Southwest Kansas Register
Editor's Note: See the video at top to view the mortgage burning.
As winter skies threatened snow Feb. 12, inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City a small fire burned in a rounded pot. Bishop John B. Brungardt gingerly placed the cathedral mortgage into the pot, and in a puff of smoke he put an official end to 10 years of cathedral mortgage payments.
At his side stood a proud Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore, who led the diocese during the cathedral’s construction, and continued to do so for the next 10 years.
For Bishop Brungardt, the event was all about offering thanks.
Following the ceremony in the cathedral gathering space, the bishops, along with cathedral pastor Father Ted Skalsky, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, which was followed by a reception in the Holy Family Social Hall. Several priests and women Religious of the diocese attended, as did some of the cathedral artists and those who were on various building committees.
During his homily, Bishop Brungardt called forward the children of the congregation, many of whom weren’t yet born the day the cathedral was dedicated a decade ago.
Death penalty suspended in Ohio as lethal drugs questioned
Columbus, Ohio, Aug 12, 2014 / 02:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News) - Following the controversial botched execution of an inmate in Ohio, using a new lethal-injection mixture, a federal judge has decided to halt executions in the state until January 2015.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost, extends an existing moratorium on executions, which had been set to expire on August 15. The death penalty will now be put on hold until Jan. 15, 2015, as courts examine the use of a two-drug combination for lethal injections.
The ruling will delay four executions scheduled later this year.
In May, Judge Frost suspended the death penalty until further review in August, following the execution of Dennis McGuire.
Do not fear the call of Jesus, Pope says in radio interview
Vatican City, Aug 12, 2014 / 10:10 am (CNA/EWTN News) - In a 20-minute live interview on an Argentinean radio station on Aug. 8, Pope Francis encouraged young people to fearlessly answer God’s call to selfless love through a vocation.
“Each person has a role, each person has a job to do, a vocation,” the Pope said. “Pray that God sends workers to the harvest, that he sends shepherds.”
“Young people who feel the call of Jesus should not be afraid,” he continued, explaining that life is “not for achieving gains. Life is for giving it away.”
“If someone is feeling that God is asking him to give his life in the priesthood, he should not be afraid. We need to gamble on big things, not on little ones. And if he feels that Jesus is calling him to form a family, let it be a strong, big, Christian family.”