November 15, 2019
Scenes from the Pastoral Center Tours
November 11, 2019
Sturgis, St. Francis — Dec. 1, 4 p.m.
Colome, St. Isidore — Dec. 3, 6 p.m. CT
Gregory, St. Joseph — Dec. 5, 6 p.m. CT
Hot Springs, St. Anthony of Padua — Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Rapid City, St. Therese — Dec. 5, 7 pm
Deadwood, St. Ambrose — Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
Eagle Butte, All Saints — Dec 8. 6 p.m.
Custer, St. John the Baptist — Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Bison, Blessed Sacrament — Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
McLaughlin, St. Bernard — Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Rapid City, Blessed Sacrament — Dec. 10, 4 p.m.
Kyle, Our Lady of Sorrows — Dec. 10, 4:30 p.m.
Murdo, St. Martin — Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
New Underwood, St. John — Dec. 11, 7 pm
Timber Lake, Holy Cross — Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Bonesteel, Immaculate Conception — Dec. 12, 6 p.m. CT
Lakeside, St. Margaret — Dec. 15, following 11:30 a.m. Mass
Spearfish, St. Joseph — Dec. 15, 3:30 p.m.
Wall, St. Patrick — Dec. 15, 4 p.m.
Piedmont, Our Lady of the Black Hills — Dec. 16, 6 p.m. with Taize Prayer
Winner, Immaculate Conception — Dec. 16, 6 p.m. CT
Buffalo, St. Anthony — Dec 16, 7 p.m.
Faith, St. Joseph — Dec 6, 7 p.m.
Martin, Sacred Heart — Dec. 17, 5 p.m.
Ft. Pierre, St. John — Dec. 17, 6 p.m. CT
Rapid City, St. Isaac Jogues — Dec. 18, 7 pm.
Dupree, Sacred Heart — Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Presho, Christ the King — Dec. 19, 6 p.m.
Midland, St. William — Dec. 22, 1:15 p.m.
Philip, Sacred Heart — Dec. 22, 4 p.m.
Lemmon, St. Mary — Dec 22, 7 p.m.
Belle Fourche, St. Paul — Dec. 23, 5:45 p.m.
October 31, 2019
October 25, 2019
October 18, 2019
October 9, 2019
The new Pastoral Center is undergoing renovations to transform the former Black Hills Federal Credit Union building into a diocesan administrative home. The Diocese of Rapid City invites individuals and families to tour the new Pastoral Center facilities during the remodeling phase.
Tours will be conducted the third Friday each month from 3-6 p.m. until the construction is completed. The new Pastoral Center is located at 225 Main St., in Rapid City next to the Creamery Mall, between 2nd and 3rd streets downtown. City. Those taking a tour are asked park in front of the building on Main Street.
For more information, contact Todd Tobin at the Diocese of Rapid City at 605-343-3541.
November 15, 2019
Public tours of the new pastoral center are held the third Friday of the month from 3-6 p.m. The next tour will be December 20.
On September 30, 2019, the construction crew, cutting the old bank vault accidentally started a fire at the site of the Diocesan Pastoral Center, on September 30. After unsuccessfully using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, the crew shut the vault door and called 9-1-1. The smoldering fire was contained to the vault. There is no structural damage to the building and crews are able to continue with construction.
By Bishop Robert Gruss
(West River Catholic, January 2019)
The Living the Mission Campaign is moving into full swing. The pilot phase has been successfully completed and the parishes in block one are fully engaged in the process. I am not only pleased, but deeply grateful for the generosity that I have seen thus far in the campaign. It speaks of peoples’ holy desire to live the mission of Jesus Christ, helping the diocese to move forward with what has been laid out in the Diocesan Priority Plan beginning in 2015. It is my hope that we are well on our way to a very successful campaign.
I would like to take the opportunity to update you on a very important priority for the Diocese of Rapid City. It too, was a key priority outlined in the Diocesan Priority Plan — a new pastoral center to include not only the chancery (offices of the bishop, diocesan administration and the archives) but also the offices of the personnel who provide pastoral ministry throughout the diocese. Before I do so, let’s look back for a moment.
As we recall, phase two of the We Walk By Faith appeal had originally planned for the renovation of space at Terra Sancta to be used for all of our diocesan offices. Due to lack of space at the main chancery located next to the cathedral, several departments were moved to the Terra Sancta Retreat Center on the northwest side of Rapid City — not the most ideal situation. The archives and the offices of our ministries including Faith Formation, Family Life Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Stewardship, Vocations, the Marriage Tribunal, and Native American Ministry, are all currently located at Terra Sancta. Because of the overwhelming success of the Terra Sancta Retreat Center and the increase in diocesan staff, the retreat center is no longer a viable option as a new home for our diocesan offices. Our staff has almost doubled in the seven and a half years that I have been here.
Currently, my staff is spread across three buildings in two locations. At the main Chancery located near the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we have some staff using space that was originally intended as a closet and file room. We also have staff who work different days each week in order to share a desk and shelf space. We have a very limited number of conference rooms which must be shared by many departments and 40 staff people. The longer these types of issues persist, the more difficult and costly it will be to address.
It has always been my desire to have a new pastoral center that will meet current and future needs more centrally located in Rapid City as a matter of convenience for the people we serve, at least locally. We have been quietly looking for a building that would provide adequate space for a couple of years. When we completed the facility master plan for the Terra Sancta campus a year and a half ago, we included a new pastoral center to be built there because we already owned the land.
Last February, we became aware that the Black Hills Federal Credit Union building at 225 Main Street was coming on the market in the near future. We toured the building and began a conversation with the owners about the possibility of purchasing it. At the same time we had our architect look at it to determine if the facility had adequate space based on our initial plan for a new pastoral center on the Terra Sancta campus. We also had an appraisal and inspection completed to assist us in determining if this could be a possibility for a new pastoral center.
My own excitement grew as I thought of the possibility of having the presence of the Catholic Church in downtown Rapid City. What a blessing that would be!
Over the course of the past ten months, we have been in negotiations with Black Hills Federal Credit Union to purchase this building. After a renovation process, it would provide enough office space to meet our current and future needs, allowing all of our staff to be together under one roof as well as ample parking for chancery staff and visitors — not to mention that the downtown location will give the diocese a very public face in our community.
I am very happy to say that we have recently signed a purchase agreement to acquire the building and the parking lots surrounding the Credit Union. We have agreed upon a four million dollar purchase price and could take possession in late February or March, depending upon how soon Black Hills Federal Credit Union is able to vacate the building and move into their new building across the street. With the remodeling necessary to accommodate the unique features and space requirements of a pastoral center, we believe that this option will cost $1-1.5 million less than a new building. The renovation process could take ten to twelve months.
We have been in our current location since 1975, serving the needs of the diocese from there for approximately 44 years. Like most families, most companies move multiple times in a 44 year history. I believe this new pastoral center will serve the needs of the Diocese of Rapid City for many, many years to come and also allow us to be the face of Christ to those we serve in the heart of Rapid City! That is the true blessing.
By Laurie Hallstrom
“You are not alive by chance, God could create you to be alive at any point in history, but he chooses you be alive right now. (You belong) in this moment, in this place, with all that is going on,” said Fr. John Riccardo, from the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Father Riccardo calls his ministry “Acts XXIX” referring to the continuing story of the church from where it ends with the Bible book, Acts 28.
In his first presentation, “Created,” he explained the world is crying. For the first time since 1918 there has been a consistent drop in life expectancy for three years in a row. He attributed that to deaths of despair — rising rates of suicide, cirrhosis of the liver in 20 and 30-year-olds and the opioid crisis.
“The beauty of the Gospel is the message itself can change lives,” said Father Riccardo citing the healing, freedom, wholeness and salvation it brings.
“These are great days to be alive — not boring. God has equipped you with anything you need to be instruments in his hands so as to share the Gospel.
“You want happiness and God has a monopoly on happiness,” he said.
According to Father Riccardo, the two accounts of Genesis, which are not literal, they teach us there is just one God and he created us effortlessly. “We are made in his likeness which means we are made for friendship, to be loved and to love. People are made to be divinized,” he said.
After listening to Father Riccardo and then spending time in prayer, a young adult participant said, “I became aware of the fact that I have many people that I hang out with, but no one that I would call a close friend. I felt a loneliness that I hadn’t allowed myself to feel and now I feel God encouraging me to seek out more authentic friendships.”
In his second presentation, “Captured,” Father Riccardo explained the origin of the devil and his mission on earth. Satan is a fallen angel cast out of heaven because rebelled against God. The priest explained the “fall of man” in the Garden of Eden and its consequences. Quoting from the book of Wisdom 2:24, he said, “through the devil’s envy death entered the world.”
He said Satan’s tactics include accusing, lying and dividing with the ultimate goal of separating people from God’s love. He went on to name several of the devil’s lies:
“I don’t matter.”
“I’m not loveable.”
“I’m not worth anything.”
“No one cares.”
“God’s not your father —he’s not even
real — be done with him.”
Father Riccardo said, “God wants to expose the lies, expose what Satan is doing in your life.”
Participants were given time for adoration and reconciliation. They were asked to pray and reflect on Satan’s lies in their lives.
More than 50 volunteer ambassadors helped guide people through the day. One of them told Shawna Hanson, director of the Office of Stewardship, as Father Mark McCormick walked past her carrying the monstrance “I felt Jesus say to me ‘I love you so much.’ Those words came into my heart with such tenderness, that tears filled my eyes. It was several minutes before I regained my composure.
“How did that encounter change me? I desire more than ever before to spend time with him in prayer, and to sit before him in the Blessed Sacrament — what a beautiful gift!”
A participant explained how she was touched during the reflection period, “Five years ago, I lost a daughter to suicide. The last conversation we had was an argument. We were both so angry and I have carried so much grief, sorrow, regret and guilt since then.
“I woke up on Saturday and didn’t want to come to the Summit, but a gentle voice came to me saying, ‘when you don’t want to go, that’s when you really need to go.’ All day the Lord was gently nudging me, ‘don’t take notes, just listen’ and ‘go get in the line for confession.’
“Once in the confessional I shared that I had this grief, this guilt that I just couldn’t shake.
“‘Unnatural death is hard,’ the priest said. I don’t remember what else he said but it was so peaceful, warm and loving — it was the voice of Jesus. ‘Your daughter loves you, Momma. She forgives and she is with Jesus.’ I left feeling surrounded in warmth and love as if I were wrapped in a cozy blanket.” She said she intends to share the love she felt from Jesus that day.
In his third presentation, “Rescued,” Father Riccardo asked the question, “What, if anything, has God done about our situation? This is God’s shocking unexpected response to sin. We take for granted maybe, that our situation is not hopeless. Your life would be utterly meaningless, stuck in frustration, if God had not done something.”
Explaining God entered into his creation through the incarnation of Jesus, Father Riccardo said, “God became a man to fight, to go to war, to rescue the creature that means the most to him — you,” he said. He came to destroy the works of devil.
Father Riccardo had an insight into the crucifixion during a time of prayer. He came to understand Christ as an “ambush predator” — a creature that lies still, camouflaged, and pounces on its prey.
According to Father Riccardo, Jesus sweats blood, he is arrested, chained, slapped, judged, stripped, scourged to the point of death, and nailed to a cross — all for the purpose of attracting his prey.
“He is trying to entice death to himself. This is how the early church understood the passion. God wants his creation back, that’s us. The enemy comes close to mock and taunt him,” he said.
Father Riccardo pointed out that through the passion Christ shows us how much he loves us. Jesus absorbed every human sin making the atonement for us. Beaten, scourged and stripped before being nailed to the cross, He paid the price to make us right with God.
“What are the results of the passion?”
asked Father Riccardo. “He has destroyed death, transferred us, recreated us, rendered sin impotent, humiliated the enemy, gave us authority over the enemy and sent us on a mission to get his world back.”
Father Riccardo said, “Whatever hell you’re in, take his hand, he is utterly unconquerable, and he can deliver you.”
A Mass and a healing service followed the presentations. “The Summit was amazing. I loved the message and healing Mass. I have never been to that before and it just rocked me. Amazing!” said a participant.
(Shawna Hanson contributed to this story.)
Beata Oszwaldowska, Najeelah Rodriguez and Mary Rahela Pelayic wear little sheep headbands and learn to follow the Good Shepherd. One catechist said, “Thanks so much for letting me help with the Youth Track this weekend. I had so much fun! Those little ones are so funny!” (WRC photo by Laurie Hallstrom)
Deacon John Osnes of Piedmont, led the children in adoration. A catechist explained, “During Adoration with the children we shared the story of the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed. We asked them to think of someone they knew who needed healing and to ask Jesus to bring healing to them. We also told them that the woman’s illness made her an outsider, no one would be her friend or talk to her. Then they thought of someone they knew who didn’t have friends. After some quiet time, they came up close to the monstrance, one-by-one and prayed for these people. They gently touched the Jewish prayer shawl we had wrapped around the monstrance. The reverence and sincerity that these children showed touched my heart deeply. It brought tears to my eyes.” (Photo by Shawna Hanson)
St. Anthony, St. Anthony, dear St. Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and needs to be found. Please Grant me the serenity to accept the collections I cannot decline and the courage to decline the collections I can!
Did you know that archivists have their own serenity prayer and that St. Anthony is a major help when it comes to discovering and maintaining an archive and its historical artifacts?!
Moments in the diocesan archives: Fr. Carlos Casavantes, FSSP, Immaculate Conception Parish, Rapid City, brought in this gem of an unidentified miter cap in a silk casing (right). Who does this belong to? Who wore this and when? Still researching but quietly hoping it is from the early years. St. Anthony …
A tourist couple from North Dakota was visiting Terra Sancta last week, inquiring as to the status of the cause of Nicholas Black Elk. After sharing their interest and collecting our brochures, and prayer cards of Black Elk, they asked for us to pray for them as they are in need of a family miracle. Nicholas Black Elk, pray for all those suffering and grant this couple the miracle they are so eagerly searching for.
Two newsletters have expressed an interest in publishing our accounts of Nicholas Black Elk. Exciting news as we continue to spread the word of this exciting cause and help Nicholas reach sainthood!
I am assisting Fr. Joh Paul Trask with his hours of research of Eagle Butte and the land property on the Cheyenne Reservation. Eagle Bute has numerous parishes, missions and cemeteries. We are trying to preserve thos stories lost from the elders of family and the history that surrounds them before those parishes become only a memory.
At the Summit 2019 last weekend, a few approached me and said “the picture you found of Bishop McCarty waving while driving a tractor” (right) that was used for the Cathedral “Living the Mission Campaign” was fabulous. They also curiously mentioned, “Are they really sticking you in the basement of the new pastoral center?” … The most infamous question as of yet! Stay tuned!
St. Anthony, St. Anthony pray for our diocesan archives and our daily work. Help us to uncover the treasures of our history and reveal our mission as we walk in HIS path!