Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ! As the new Bishop of Rapid City, allow me, first of all, to thank you for your warm welcome to Rapid City and your extraordinary outpouring of prayerful support, both at the recent ordination and since I was first introduced as a “bishop-elect” back at the end of June. I am filled with joy and anxious to join the entire Church of Rapid City in our common mission to serve our Lord!

At Vespers on the evening prior to the ordination, I spoke of the episcopal motto that I had chosen to guide my new life as a bishop, Surgite eamus (“Rise, let us be on our way”), the very words of Jesus to his disciples when he was confronted with his betrayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:46). There is extraordinary hope in these words! Jesus, using the word “rise,” invites us all to the fullness of life that comes when we follow him through his cross to the Resurrection. Most amazing is that Jesus says, “let us be on OUR way,” a consoling word that he shares his mission with us and will be with us at each step to the resurrection.

On our website you will find information about how we come together to fund life-giving ministries and programs that provide A Future Full of Hope through the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Your selfless generosity in sharing the Lord’s work in our Diocese strengthens families, faith, and formation; supports our clergy and vocations; and provides hope and healing for our brothers and sisters in need throughout western South Dakota.

We can be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs the hope and joy only He can give! I invite you to prayerfully consider how you can share in the work of our Diocese by making a gift to serve Christ’s mission in the Church.

Your gift to the 2025 Annual Diocesan Appeal will be the answer to someone’s prayers and build A Future Full of Hope for our families, parishes, and communities. On behalf of the many who will benefit from the Annual Diocesan Appeal, know of my gratitude for your generosity!

Through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, may our Lord fill us with his love, conform our hearts to his will, and, by a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit, bless our every effort.

Sincerely,
Most Reverend Scott E. Bullock
Bishop of Rapid City