As I come closer to the end of my role as Diocesan Administrator, the various duties of the role offer more interesting activities. Last month I had the privilege of attending the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Being with 60,000 excited Catholics sharing their faith in the real presence of Jesus in our midst was an uplifting experience.

There were two busloads of people from the Rapid City Diocese as well as a number who traveled independently to be a part of the occasion. One of our buses was youth and, from the time I was able to spend with them, they really enjoyed the experience and were renewed in their faith. I rode the adult bus and found the same experience. With the number of people attending the Congress most of us didn’t see each other very often other than meeting up at the general sessions in the evening in the stadium.

There were so many options for talks and workshops that we were pretty well scattered during the five days. The Congress offered so many opportunities for celebrations of sacraments that everyone had the opportunity to celebrate their faith in many ways. Confessions were available throughout the week and generally had 50-plus priests hearing at any given time. The whole event was massive.

Another duty that is part of my current role is visiting with each of our seminarians for an interview before they return to classes this fall. While I have met all of the guys, it is really the only opportunity I have had to spend time with each of them individually. I have enjoyed the opportunity to experience their faith and desire to serve the people of our diocese in whatever way the future holds for them. We have a great “crop” of guys in various stages of preparation and the future looks good in terms of ministry in our diocese. If the Vocations Office is successful in recruiting “20 by 25” there will be more of them to come.

Over the next six weeks we will be preparing for the Ordination of Bishop-elect Scott Bullock on September 23 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City. Hopefully many of you will be able to join in that celebration as we welcome him as the 10th bishop of the Rapid City Diocese.