As a youth I was blessed to attend World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, Colorado. It was my first real experience of the wider Church outside of my little home parish. As a young person, to witness this vast sea of people from every language, culture, and country, believers in one faith and disciples of Jesus Christ gathered around the successor of the Apostle Peter, was truly a life-changing experience. My church suddenly got a lot bigger!

When I returned home and later as I began to discern a vocation to the priesthood, I came to understand that my parish was a part of a whole network of parishes, a larger Catholic community, a diocese. I also learned that the whole diocese was supported by a team of fellow disciples working with the bishop to proclaim the Gospel and build up the Body of Christ in our little part of the world.

As a youth, then as a seminarian, then as priest, I could see how I benefitted directly from the ministry of the diocese and its dedicated staff. The same is true here in central and eastern Oregon. We are the Diocese of Baker, a community of communities, a family of families, under my spiritual care and guidance as your bishop and with the invaluable help of the Pastoral Center staff.

With this in mind, I hope that you will prayerfully reflect on the ways that you feel a part of being a part of this broader Catholic community. I pray that you will consider supporting the efforts and ministries of this local church under my leadership by pledging a portion (even 1%) of your total tithing to this annual appeal.

None of us is expected to give beyond our means, but we are all called to do our part. We know from the story of the “Widow’s Mite” in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 21:1-4) that even the smallest contribution can be “more than all the rest” in God’s estimation.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and thank you for your very warm welcome to the Diocese of Baker as your new shepherd. Please be assured of my prayers in return for you and your loved ones. Together, may we embrace a future full of hope here in the Diocese of Baker!

In Christ,

Most Rev. Thomas J. Hennen
Bishop of Baker