See the See, St Peter Cathedral, Marquette

Dear Young People, when I go round the diocese, I brag about you! You have no idea what it does to me to see so many from all over the diocese gathered here.

So Bishop Sample addressed over 650 young people and their chaperones who attended the annual See the See Youth Rally at St Peter's Cathedral yesterday.

The day consisted of songs of praise, great teaching by keynote speaker Cooper Ray, various workshops, including Eucharist Adoration.

Confessions were available for much of the day. I had a rather sore behind after sitting for two and half hours on the rather narrow perch in my confessional - what a joy to hear so many confessions of both youngsters and adults, and more in the afternoon.

Cooper broke down the word cool - the Bishop had said how cool it is to be Catholic - and spoke to the youngsters about being:

Crazy for their Catholic faith
Open to the knock of Christ on the doors of their hearts
Obedient to the call of Christ
Loving of God and neighbour.

Father Ben Hasse gave a beautiful teaching to small groups of 50 about Eucharistic adoration, quoting St Jean Marie Vianney and his own experience of hearing the call of the Lord as a result of Eucharistic adoration. There were other workshops that I was not present at due to being in the confessional.

In the afternoon there was a 'Stump the Bishop' session in the Baraga Gym across the road during which Bishop Sample answered all questions - goofy and profound - the kids were anxious to put to him.

The day finished with Mass during which the Bishop preached passionately about the call of Christ with reference to the call of Jesus to Zachaeus. At the end of Mass the Bishop blessed rosaries and distributed them to each of the young people individually.

A great day - please God it will result in the deepening of the love of Christ and His Church in these middle schoolers and to many priestly and religious vocations, as well as to Holy Marriage or a holy single life.

See also my Facebook photos.

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Pope Benedict Accepts Archbishop McDonald's resigntion

Southwark is once again Sede Vacante. Sadly, Archbishop Kevin has found it necessary to submit his resignation on health grounds.

From the Southwark Archdiocese website:

At 11am (GMT) The Holy Father accepted the accepted the resignation of Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark in accordance with Canon 401 §2. The Archbishop submitted his resignation to the Holy Father having taken account of medical advice. The Archbishop has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteoarthritis. This has already necessitated surgery and the Archbishop envisages further surgery in 2010.

Archbishop McDonald said,

“I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark. Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace. It has been a privilege to lead this great Diocese and I have received a wonderful response to everything I have tried to do. I have also been very appreciative of the prayers of so many people while I have been ill. The Diocese will continue to be very much in my thoughts and prayers in the time ahead.”

A Diocesan Administrator will be appointed soon and he will be in charge of the Diocese, until a new Archbishop takes possession of the Diocese.

The Archbishop's letter to the people of the diocesan can be found here. I'm sure we would all want to reassure His Grace that he will be very much supported in our prayers.

Further details of the canonical situation can be found at the Bishops' Conference website.