When one of my best friends was named to be the vocations director in his diocese, I began to write down every idea that I had which I thought might help promote vocations to the priesthood. I came up with 100 of them. I don’t know if the ideas themselves turned out to be very helpful or not, but this exercise sure helped me to begin thinking, praying and participating in the vocations effort (and examining my conscience!). It seems to me that our task has at least two major aspects. The first is a response to Jesus’ command to “ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for the harvest.” (Mt. 9:38). Simply put, we have to pray. Here’s one of the prayers that the Church gives us in the Mass for priestly vocations. “Lord, accept our prayers and gifts. Give the Church more priests and keep them faithful in their love and service. Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord.” I believe that every Catholic can and should pray this prayer or something like it regularly out of a spirit of obedience to Christ and love for the Church. Perhaps you can ask your parish priest to offer a Mass for the intention of an increase in priestly vocations (idea #97).
The second aspect of the effort is to help the men who are being called to hear God’s voice, respond to it and persevere in it. This means helping to create an “atmosphere” where the priesthood is presented as a desirable possibility for young Catholic men by the parents at home, by teachers at CCD and in Catholic schools, and by priests at Mass.
I am hoping to hear from anyone who has ideas and suggestions that they think will help more men to hear the call to be worthy ministers for His altars, and gentle but ardent servants of the gospel. (cf. the Mass for priestly vocations).
Contact information: Fr. Matthew Keller P.O. box 1338 Gallup, NM 87305 (505) 863-4406 email- gallupvocationsoffice@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
"Life is Defended"
New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops
Vigorously Defend Dignity of Life Once Again
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Killed in NM
ALBUQUERQUE - Friday, February 22, 2008-- IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Life at its utmost vulnerable state has once again been successfully defended. For the second year in a row, the bill to allow embryonic stem cell research in the State of New Mexico has been defeated. The New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops (NMCCB) vigorously defended the consistent ethic of life and opposed the proposed 2008 legislation by Governor Bill Richardson and Senator John Ryan to make embryonic stem cell research legal in New Mexico. The NMCCB (Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe; Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, Bishop of Las Cruces; Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Apostolic Administrator of Gallup; and Mr. Allen Sanchez, NMCCB Executive Director) tirelessly lobbied legislators to defeat Senate Bill 23 during the recent 2008 New Mexico Legislative Session.
Senate Bill 23 would have legalized the funding of embryonic stem cell research at the University of New Mexico. The proposed Bill would have specifically granted the State the authority to take into its possession live human embryos, and the authority to decide when and how to terminate life. On February 14 at 12:00 p.m., Senate Bill 23 died on the House Judiciary Committee’s desk. Embryonic stem cell research no longer looms on the horizon, at least until the next legislative session.
Archbishop Michael Sheehan and Bishop Ricardo RamÃrez testified before the Senate Consumers and Public Affairs Committee reiterating the Church stance – embryos are human life. The proponents of the legislation argued that the targeted embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics would never become human life; therefore, it was acceptable to use them for stem cell research.
Senate Bill 23 passed two Senate Committees and passed out of the Senate 20 to 18. In the House of Representatives, the bill passed the House Consumers and Public Affairs Committee. It was only during the final Committee meeting, the House Judiciary Committee, that enough legislators committed to table the motion. The Committee sat on the SB23 for a week allowing the clock to kill it.
At the close of the Session some reporters compared SB 23 to a run away train. The proposed legislation was derailed by the legislators’ strong commitment to the value of human life. This is the second year that the Governor has attempted to run embryonic stem cell research through the legislature. The 2007 bill also died in the House Judiciary Committee.
Through the NMCCB, the Bishops of New Mexico lobby legislators and teach on moral and ethical issues. The Bishops are committed to a consistent ethic of life. Contact: Allen Sanchez 505.319.3334—END
Vigorously Defend Dignity of Life Once Again
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Killed in NM
ALBUQUERQUE - Friday, February 22, 2008-- IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Life at its utmost vulnerable state has once again been successfully defended. For the second year in a row, the bill to allow embryonic stem cell research in the State of New Mexico has been defeated. The New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops (NMCCB) vigorously defended the consistent ethic of life and opposed the proposed 2008 legislation by Governor Bill Richardson and Senator John Ryan to make embryonic stem cell research legal in New Mexico. The NMCCB (Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe; Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, Bishop of Las Cruces; Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Apostolic Administrator of Gallup; and Mr. Allen Sanchez, NMCCB Executive Director) tirelessly lobbied legislators to defeat Senate Bill 23 during the recent 2008 New Mexico Legislative Session.
Senate Bill 23 would have legalized the funding of embryonic stem cell research at the University of New Mexico. The proposed Bill would have specifically granted the State the authority to take into its possession live human embryos, and the authority to decide when and how to terminate life. On February 14 at 12:00 p.m., Senate Bill 23 died on the House Judiciary Committee’s desk. Embryonic stem cell research no longer looms on the horizon, at least until the next legislative session.
Archbishop Michael Sheehan and Bishop Ricardo RamÃrez testified before the Senate Consumers and Public Affairs Committee reiterating the Church stance – embryos are human life. The proponents of the legislation argued that the targeted embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics would never become human life; therefore, it was acceptable to use them for stem cell research.
Senate Bill 23 passed two Senate Committees and passed out of the Senate 20 to 18. In the House of Representatives, the bill passed the House Consumers and Public Affairs Committee. It was only during the final Committee meeting, the House Judiciary Committee, that enough legislators committed to table the motion. The Committee sat on the SB23 for a week allowing the clock to kill it.
At the close of the Session some reporters compared SB 23 to a run away train. The proposed legislation was derailed by the legislators’ strong commitment to the value of human life. This is the second year that the Governor has attempted to run embryonic stem cell research through the legislature. The 2007 bill also died in the House Judiciary Committee.
Through the NMCCB, the Bishops of New Mexico lobby legislators and teach on moral and ethical issues. The Bishops are committed to a consistent ethic of life. Contact: Allen Sanchez 505.319.3334—END
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Faithful Citizenship - 2008
We are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new 2008 Faithful Citizenship Web Site (www.faithfulcitizenship.org) with lots of resources for individuals, parishes, and other groups. We hope you will find it helpful as you share the message of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship in your parishes, schools, dioceses and other organizations.
You will find a wide range of resources for prayer and worship, educational programs, family discussions, social concerns and pro-life committees, and many other groups and ministries.
The Faithful Citizenship web site will regularly be updated as new materials are added. In particular, the temporary Spanish page will soon be replaced by a complete Faithful Citizenship web site in Spanish. The temporary “young Catholics” page will be replaced by a lively section specifically for youth and young adults that will have interactive activities, podcasts, streaming videos, and other resources and activities. We will keep you informed as these changes are made.
Thank you for all you are doing to help spread the word about Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
You will find a wide range of resources for prayer and worship, educational programs, family discussions, social concerns and pro-life committees, and many other groups and ministries.
The Faithful Citizenship web site will regularly be updated as new materials are added. In particular, the temporary Spanish page will soon be replaced by a complete Faithful Citizenship web site in Spanish. The temporary “young Catholics” page will be replaced by a lively section specifically for youth and young adults that will have interactive activities, podcasts, streaming videos, and other resources and activities. We will keep you informed as these changes are made.
Thank you for all you are doing to help spread the word about Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Bishop Pelotte given medical leave; Bishop Olmsted named Apostolic Administrator
DIOCESE OF GALLUP
Pastoral Center Office
P.O. Box 1338
Gallup, NM 87305
January 3, 2008
Contact: Matt Doyle
505-593-3997
Bishop Pelotte given medical leave; Phoenix bishop named Apostolic Administrator
On behalf of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, has notified Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, SSS of the Diocese of Gallup that he has been granted a one-year medical leave of absence. The leave is effective immediately. Archbishop Sambi has also notified Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix that he will serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gallup.
Bishop Pelotte, 62, suffered severe injures in a fall July 23 at his home in Gallup and has been unable to recover as quickly and completely as had been hoped. The ill-effects of the injuries were cited by Bishop Pelotte in his letter to the Holy See seeking the medical leave of absence.
After receiving treatment in Arizona, Texas and Florida, Bishop Pelotte returned to Gallup on Sept. 21. It was hoped at the time that a return to more familiar surroundings would enhance the bishop’s recovery, but that did not happen. Bishop Pelotte left Gallup again on Dec. 13 for further medical treatment.
Bishop Pelotte was coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Gallup from 1986 until 1990. With the retirement of Bishop Jerome Hastrich, Bishop Pelotte became the third bishop of the diocese in 1990.
A native of Waterville, Maine, Bishop Pelotte is a member of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and received a Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University in 1975.
Bishop Pelotte’s father was a member of the Abenaki tribe. When he was ordained coadjutor and then bishop of Gallup, it marked the first time a Native American bishop had served a diocese in the United States.
Bishop Olmsted was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb. in 1973. He was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, December 20, 2003. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix he served as Bishop of Wichita, Kan. after being ordained coadjutor bishop on April 20, 1999. Before serving in Wichita, he served as the rector / president of the Pontifical College Josephinum, a Catholic seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
Bishop Olmsted lived in Italy for more than 16 years. He received a Masters of Arts in Theology, a Doctorate in Canon Law and served for nine years in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. While serving the Holy See he lived at the Pontifical North American College, assisting seminarians with spiritual direction.
An apostolic administrator is appointed by the Holy Father on either a permanent or temporary basis for many reasons, including severe illness of the bishop of a diocese. The duties assigned to Bishop Olmsted as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gallup are similar to those that Bishop Pelotte had, with the exception that they are temporary, i.e they will last only until Bishop Pelotte is able to return or his successor is appointed and installed.
Bishop Olmsted has asked that the faithful of the Diocese of Gallup continue to pray for Bishop Pelotte during his on-going recuperation. He also asks for prayers for himself as he assumes his pastoral duties as Apostolic Administrator of Gallup.
Pastoral Center Office
P.O. Box 1338
Gallup, NM 87305
January 3, 2008
Contact: Matt Doyle
505-593-3997
Bishop Pelotte given medical leave; Phoenix bishop named Apostolic Administrator
On behalf of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, has notified Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, SSS of the Diocese of Gallup that he has been granted a one-year medical leave of absence. The leave is effective immediately. Archbishop Sambi has also notified Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix that he will serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gallup.
Bishop Pelotte, 62, suffered severe injures in a fall July 23 at his home in Gallup and has been unable to recover as quickly and completely as had been hoped. The ill-effects of the injuries were cited by Bishop Pelotte in his letter to the Holy See seeking the medical leave of absence.
After receiving treatment in Arizona, Texas and Florida, Bishop Pelotte returned to Gallup on Sept. 21. It was hoped at the time that a return to more familiar surroundings would enhance the bishop’s recovery, but that did not happen. Bishop Pelotte left Gallup again on Dec. 13 for further medical treatment.
Bishop Pelotte was coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Gallup from 1986 until 1990. With the retirement of Bishop Jerome Hastrich, Bishop Pelotte became the third bishop of the diocese in 1990.
A native of Waterville, Maine, Bishop Pelotte is a member of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and received a Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University in 1975.
Bishop Pelotte’s father was a member of the Abenaki tribe. When he was ordained coadjutor and then bishop of Gallup, it marked the first time a Native American bishop had served a diocese in the United States.
Bishop Olmsted was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb. in 1973. He was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, December 20, 2003. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix he served as Bishop of Wichita, Kan. after being ordained coadjutor bishop on April 20, 1999. Before serving in Wichita, he served as the rector / president of the Pontifical College Josephinum, a Catholic seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
Bishop Olmsted lived in Italy for more than 16 years. He received a Masters of Arts in Theology, a Doctorate in Canon Law and served for nine years in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. While serving the Holy See he lived at the Pontifical North American College, assisting seminarians with spiritual direction.
An apostolic administrator is appointed by the Holy Father on either a permanent or temporary basis for many reasons, including severe illness of the bishop of a diocese. The duties assigned to Bishop Olmsted as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gallup are similar to those that Bishop Pelotte had, with the exception that they are temporary, i.e they will last only until Bishop Pelotte is able to return or his successor is appointed and installed.
Bishop Olmsted has asked that the faithful of the Diocese of Gallup continue to pray for Bishop Pelotte during his on-going recuperation. He also asks for prayers for himself as he assumes his pastoral duties as Apostolic Administrator of Gallup.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Some Questions have come up
Regarding several questions that have recently come up:
The 2008 Diocesan Directory, the 2008 Holiday Schedule, the 2008 Eucharistic Days Schedule and the 2008 Special Collection schedule will be available around Mid to late December, 2007.
Vigil Masses on Saturday, December 8, 2007 observe the Vigil of the Second Sunday of Advent, not Immaculate Conception. Vigil Masses may be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
The 2008 Diocesan Directory, the 2008 Holiday Schedule, the 2008 Eucharistic Days Schedule and the 2008 Special Collection schedule will be available around Mid to late December, 2007.
Vigil Masses on Saturday, December 8, 2007 observe the Vigil of the Second Sunday of Advent, not Immaculate Conception. Vigil Masses may be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
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