Bishop Emeritus Gaydos thanks Hispanic leaders in the diocese, urges them to continue serving, believing in Christ’s Incarnation

Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos gave a rousing thank-you to leaders in the various Hispanic communities throughout the diocese during a Christmas celebration for the Diocesan Hispanic Leadership.

The Dec. 16 event, known as a Posada, included Mass in Spanish and a luncheon at the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center in Jefferson City.

Representatives of the following diocesan Hispanic leadership teams attended: Hispanic Ministry Board (clergy and religious), Diocesan Committee of Hispanic Ministry, Diocesan Secretariat of Cursillos, Diocesan Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Diocesan Evangelization Team, Hispanic Natural Family Planning Diocesan Team, V Encuentro Diocesan Team, and Hispanic Permanent Diaconate candidates in formation.

These people collaborate, support and carry-out all the pastoral work and evangelization efforts in the diocese and parishes that have Hispanic ministry.

Also attending were Father Joseph S. Corel, vicar general; and Sister Kathleen Wegman of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, chancellor, who have always supported all Hispanic ministry efforts in the diocese.

“I thank all of you, members of the various diocesan teams and committees in Hispanic ministry, for responding to God’s call to serve His people,” Bishop Emeritus Gaydos said in Spanish. “Thank you for serving the Hispanic community of our diocese and its parishes by sharing the gifts God has given you and through the mission and charisms of the movements and committees they represent.”

He also thanked the priests, religious sisters and deacons for the accompaniment and service that they provide in many ways in ministering to the Hispanic people throughout the diocese.

“Through your dedication and ministry, you are able to show the love and compassion that God has for His sons and daughters,” the bishop stated.

He urged everyone present to continue to be generous with their service and leadership, following the example of Jesus, in their parishes and throughout the diocese.

“With the grace of God and the joint work of all, the hope of the Gospel will reach the hearts of more of our brothers and sisters,” he said. “And as I said earlier: Let us do our part and God will do His part.”

Bishop Emeritus Gaydos noted that with Pope Francis accepting his request to retire for health reasons, a new bishop for the diocese will be installed on Feb. 6.

“My health and energy have been diminished in the past couple of years,” he explained. “I thank Pope Francis for considering these factors and for the selection of Bishop-elect W. Shawn McKnight for our diocese.”

He said Bishop-elect McKnight will bring an abundance of gifts and experiences to continue and increase the ministry of Jesus Christ and His Church in the heart of Missouri.

“Our diocese is in good hands,” said Bishop Emeritus Gaydos.

He asked for continued prayers, with the assurance that he would continue to hold the entire Hispanic community in his heart.

Season

of renewed hope

In his homily at Mass, he reminded everyone to keep looking forward to Christ’s return at the end of each person’s individual life and at the end of time.

“John the Baptist, the new Elijah, went out into the wilderness to preach his message of repentance,” the bishop noted. “John the Baptist draws all of us in Advent out to that wilderness so we can recognize that our sinful lives are empty lives when we live them without God, our lives are parched in that wilderness.”

But the journey toward Christmas is not of sadness but of renewed hope.

“We are invited to think back on that first Christmas night in Bethlehem,” the bishop said. “Many people must have experienced a wonder that made them young again, that drew them outside of themselves and away from their selfish concerns to follow the star, to seek a king, and to listen to the angels’ song.”

It’s up to each person to continue to be amazed at the Father’s great gesture of love, the Incarnation of Christ, His Son, and to believe in it without any doubt, with the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“May the Lord bless you and give you His grace to be good servants who are attentive to the needs of your neighbor,” the bishop stated in his blessing at the end of the meal.

“May the mercy of God always dwell in your hearts, accompany you and guide you in the services you perform. And may God shower His grace on your families and attend to the needs that you hold in your hearts.”

The people stood and gave him a long round of applause while Enrique Castro handed the retiring bishop a plaque on behalf of all the Hispanic community of the diocese.

The plaque says: “Thank you for your pastoral love, care and support, and for your guidance and evangelizing zeal to Christ’s example ... to all the immigrant community of the Diocese of Jefferson City.”