A Pastoral Letter On The
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Bishops throughout the world have been encouraged to provide a pastoral letter on the Year of Faith. I am not only happy to provide such a letter, but I also take note of this being my first pastoral letter as a bishop and faith is a most worthy topic.
In his Apostolic Letter of Oct.11, 2011, entitled “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI declared that a Year of Faith, will begin on Oct. 11, 2012, and conclude on Nov. 24, 2013, the Solemnity of “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” Coinciding with the Year of Faith are two momentous occasions in the life of the Catholic Church. October 11 of this year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. This year also marks the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, in light of these two great occasions, Catholics are encouraged to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II as well as the teachings of the Catechism.
Of course, there will be diocesan celebrations marking the beginning and closing of this special year of grace. On Thursday evening, Oct. 11, all are invited to Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville to celebrate our Catholic “Unity in Diversity.” The Mass will begin at 6:00 p.m. (CDT). All are invited to celebrate the closing of the Year of Faith at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (the Old Cathedral) with Evening Prayer on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. The Evening Prayer will begin at 7:00 p.m. (EST).
The Year of Faith is meant to encourage everyone of every age, clergy and laity, to engage in a renewal sense of prayer, study and reflection on both the content and lived experience of our faith. At the heart of this special year of grace, is the baptismal call of every member of the Body of Christ, the People of God, to better understand one’s faith in order to more authentically witness to that faith in daily living. The Catholic faith, as rooted in the Deposit of Faith (namely, Scripture and Tradition), and grounded in prayer, must necessarily be realized in the manner in which one’s life reflects a commitment to charity and justice.
As Catholics, it is not only important that we understand the tenets of our faith and live them in relation to one another, but we must also look and reach out beyond the scope of those active in the faith. We must be concerned about inactive members of our Church as well as our relationship with others, Christian and non-Christian, believers and non-believers. Catholic parishes, institutions, associations and groups are encouraged to provide opportunities for this renewal of faith, understood and lived, by means of study programs, retreats, missions, literature, technology and liturgical services. It is imperative, however, that all such opportunities be grounded in the context of authentic doctrine or teaching of the faith. Catholics can only be as effective in their witness as they truly know and embrace such faith. Thus, we must be familiar with the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism for authentic and effective witness.
Our late Holy Father, Blessed John Paul the Great, called for a New Evangelization. Pope Benedict XVI has heightened our attention to this same basic call by declaring the upcoming Year of Faith. I ask you to join me in making every effort to be renewed in prayer, study and reflection of the rich heritage of our Catholic faith. There may be no better gift to give to our families, friends, community, nation and world than the precious sharing of authentic faith. Through faith in Jesus Christ, one is saved. Faith in Jesus Christ enables love to conquer all fear and hatred. Faith in Jesus Christ makes all things possible. Such faith, however, is not merely a private matter. It is not something we possess and live despite or apart from the culture and society in which we live. The lived experience of authentic faith, by the very grace of God, enables the believer to transform the world in accord with the will of God. In other words, faith is realized and expressed through discipleship.
Once again, let us open wide the “door of faith” into this special year of grace. Delving into the mystery of God, through the lens of our Catholic faith, enables us to discover more fully who we are as children of God, as sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. With assurance of my prayers and best wishes, while humbly asking that you remember me in prayer, I remain.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson, D.D., JCL
Bishop of Evansville
