Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the Diocese of Evansville, we are blessed that, as a capstone of our observance of the Jubilee Year of Hope, we will be having a diocesan-wide event entitled Encounter Hope: Building Christ-Centered Families. It will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. Central Time at St. Benedict Cathedral. The day will include the celebration of Mass, presentations and conclude with the rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, ending around 4 p.m. I strongly encourage you to attend.
This event is intended to be a uniquely powerful manifestation of the unity of our Diocesan Church as Pilgrims of Hope. We will gather as a “family of families” from around the Diocese — clergy, religious and laity — to celebrate the Eucharist and then be formed on how we can ever-more effectively make Christ the center of our homes. We are blessed to have well known speakers Bobby and Jackie Angel, Mark Hart and our own Father Alex Zenthoefer. Father Tyler Tenbarge will emcee the event, and Tony Melendez will lead us in a bilingual rosary. He will also lead us in the Holy Hour the evening before.
This Jubilee Year event is intended to stoke the fires of faith in Jesus Christ as the source and reason for our hope. It is about an encounter with the Lord in worship, prayer and formation, and then being sent forth to bring this Christ-centered hope into our families, our parish families and beyond. It is my prayer that, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Catholics who gather for our diocesan event, will experience a transformative encounter with Jesus and then go forth to live more intentionally as Pilgrims of Hope.
I look forward to seeing you on Dec. 6.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel, DD, STL
Bishop of Evansville