Dear Friends,
As I look back over the past few weeks, several confirmations in various areas of the diocese, the Spring Farm Blessing in Mount Carmel and my ordination to be your bishop, I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessings God has given to me and to our Diocese of Belleville.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the simplest rituals in the Church. But the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these young people is a great blessing for them and for the whole Church. We can rightly rejoice in their taking a next step in faith, but we also have the responsibility to help them become active members of the Body of Christ. With God-given talents and gifts, they have much to offer. How will we show them proper hospitality, welcoming their insights and their talents? As St. Benedict says, “all are to be called for counsel because often the Lord reveals to the younger what is better” (Rule of St. Benedict 3:3).
The farm blessings in our diocese are blessed days. This spring, we traveled to Mount Carmel to the Ryan Peter family farm. There was impressive hospitality. The gathering of so many people, to pray and visit and rejoice at God’s bounty, is always a joyful experience.
The Mass of Ordination and Installation was an overwhelmingly blessed event. So many people from the diocese and from across the country gathered to pray fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I will count on your prayers as your bishop, knowing that God’s grace and your cheerful support is certainly the difference that I’ll need to be faithful to the grand responsibility I’ve been given.
Many words have been written about me in the past few months. I know that I have not been perfect in my 32 years as a priest; I’m painfully aware of that. The interviews and questions and emails of the past few weeks have reminded me of some monastic values that are actually also Christian values. I heard them in the phone call from Cardinal Christophe Pierre on March 7: “Be a man of prayer, a man of community, a man of simplicity.” Those are truly my goals. Prayer sustains me. Community is the place where I offer the gifts God has given. Simplicity means holding on to less, but also recognizing that the work requires little besides God’s grace. God’s mercy is available to us always. And that mercy makes all the difference!
Limiting the number of people who were ticketed to celebrate the Mass of Ordination on Friday (May 1) was a difficult decision. Still, there was barely room for everyone. I intend soon to celebrate Masses in each of our vicariates and those who wish may come to celebrate this new beginning and wonderful continuation of the powerful work God has done in this diocese.
I look forward to meeting more of you. And I want to assure you that you are in my prayers every day. May God bless us always with peace!
In Christ,
Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB