Bishop Ricken's Message
June 2004

CHEYENNE – It was an unbelievable springtime for Confirmations in the Diocese of Cheyenne. This year, I confirmed 1,400 young people in 32 celebrations, and logged in nearly 3,400 miles in Wyoming. We are moving the age of Confirmation to the seventh grade. This partially explains the tri-fold number of youth confirmed this spring. This past school year our religious education catechesis programs have been using new religious education materials. I have approved the materials after serious study and recommendation by the Diocesan Religious Education Office and Committee. I noticed this year a significant improvement in the knowledge base of our youth in comparison to previous years. This, too, is a sign of hope. Since we are moving the age of Confirmation to the seventh grade, a special task force is planning to meet this summer to determine ways that we can address youth ministry and high school religious education catechesis programming in the Diocese. This presents a very strong and new challenge. I know that the people of Wyoming are up to this challenge and will assist me greatly in planning for a good and consistent outreach to our high school students. This year we do not have any ordinations to the priesthood. Gratefully, I have been able to recruit four “extern” priests to assist us for several years of service in the Diocese: Father Killan Muli, IMC, Father Randy Oswald, OMI, Father George Von Kaenel, SJ, and Father Eckley Macklin, SOLT. Some of them hope to stay longer, perhaps even join our Diocese. This is another beautiful sign of hope. Next year we will be able to ordain two of our 16 seminarians to the priesthood. Later this month I have the privilege of ordaining Dan Kostelc, of Pinedale, to the permanent diaconate. The Diocese of Cheyenne has received many graces and signs of hope this spring. May God bless you and your family. May you and your family receive many graces and signs of hope this spring and throughout the year.