May 8, 2009

175th Anniversary Mass

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein's opening remarks

Archbishp Buechlein's opening remarksWelcome to our celebration, to 175 years of God’s bountiful blessings on the Church in central and southern Indiana. Thank you for being here. Our gathering is a marvelous expression of the unity of our archdiocese.

A very grateful welcome to your eminence, Cardinal [Francis] George, my brother bishops, fathers and archabbots. Your presence is a special gift that reminds us of our communion with the universal Church.

A cordial welcome to our ecumenical guests.

“This jubilee afternoon, as we thank God for his particular blessings on our archdiocese, we turn our gaze from the past and look to the future.

We pray may the Holy Spirit lead us in a new sense of our mission of evangelization. To this end, we will all renew our baptismal promises and profession of faith with you candidates for confirmation. You confirmandi will be fortified with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us religious, laity and clergy carry our mission forward.

“You married couples, who will receive a special nuptial blessing after the Our Father, strengthen your shared vocation for our mission.

“We jubilarians, who are religious women and men, will renew our consecration.

You first communicants remind us of the special love Jesus has for us.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, vocations Sunday, pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire our youth to join us as priests, deacons and religious in the beautiful vocation that is ours.

And pray for our friends who could not be with us today, especially the elderly and the infirm.

Finally, sisters and brothers in Christ, let’s pray that our archdiocese may be a family that believes, a family that prays and a family that acts with hope.

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