By Bishop David Ricken | On Mission
8.17.2024 — Pembine, WI:
For many years now, I have been reaching out to rural communities who do not receive a visit from the bishop for the sacrament of confirmation or a formal “pastoral visit” or a parish anniversary. I enjoy these occasions because I get to connect with the people who so love their church and their parish or mission church or station.
I was recently in Pembine for the 50th anniversary of the founding of their parish and it was a beautiful experience. Fr. Felix Albano, Jr., the administrator of the parish, is such a joyous priest and, in his welcome statement to me, he said, “When the bishop is present, the diocese does not seem so far away.”
The church was quite full: the choir, the lectors, the servers did such a fine job and I am so honored to have been among you, parishioners of St. Margaret of Scotland. It was wonderful to greet you after Mass and to listen to a few of you as you mentioned the struggles there are with keeping the faith alive and your desire to grow your parish.
I am very aware of the struggles of the Catholic Church and the challenges facing us today, which have gotten ever more virulent over the last 40 or 50 years. Many Catholics have abandoned their Catholic faith and so we face many challenges to our existence, not just in the diocese, but throughout the year.
Matthew Kelly, who is a very well-known writer and speaker in the church, for years has researched and asked the question, “Why are they leaving?” Instead, he has asked a new question: “Why do those who stay, stay?”
He has summarized his analysis with this answer: “Those who believe, don’t leave.” He is explicitly referring to the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist: in the Mass, in the tabernacle in every Catholic Church in the world and in the monstrance for Adoration. Those who believe in him and his special presence in the Eucharist, stay because of him.
I saw this gift of faith actively when I visited Pembine. It was a joy to be among you! Thank you for your hospitality!
