Reflections on five years of leading our diocese

In February 2020, Bishop Barry C. Knestout visits the construction site of St. John the Evangelist, Waynesboro, a $12.5 million project supported by “Living Our Mission.” The new church was dedicated on July 4, 2021. “Living Our Mission,” a historic capital and endowment campaign designed for the benefit of parishes, schools and larger ministries, was launched in January 2014 with 14 pilot parishes and concluded active solicitation in 2016. (Submitted photo)

The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflecting upon the year concluded and the year ahead. For me, it was a time for reflecting upon the past five years as this Thursday, Jan. 12, marks my fifth anniversary as bishop of our diocese.

As with any vocation, when a bishop accepts the call to shepherd a diocese, he doesn’t know exactly what to expect. He will draw upon the administrative and pastoral experiences he has had as a priest or as an auxiliary bishop to lead the diocese. However, in dealing with the unexpected, he will need a reliance of prayer as he depends upon and draws strength from the Paschal Mystery, inspired by the Holy Spirit in carrying out the mission of the Church. That is what I hope and pray has guided and sustained me these past five years.

As a result of my predecessor as bishop of Richmond, Bishop DiLorenzo’s vision in establishing the Living Our Mission initiative, I was able to take what I consider a “victory lap” of sorts for him, visiting parishes and dedicating the renovations and additions completed because of that capital campaign. Other celebrations included anniversaries marking the establishment of the diocese, of parishes, and celebrating specific events for various Catholic organizations and entities.

One of the beauties of the celebrations and of visiting every parish at least once during my first five years in our diocese was being able to meet so many of you. You shared your concerns about the Church in general, but you also told me how immersed you are in the life of your parishes, giving of your time, talent and treasure so that every parish can thrive as faith communities. I am grateful for how you give witness to the Gospel in so many ways.

Communion and mission

Another occasion to celebrate was the bicentennial of our diocese in 2020. We were off to a good start with our pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in October 2019, publication of our diocesan history “Shine Like the Stars,” and planning for multiple events throughout the year. And then came COVID.

We could have abandoned our plans for marking this historical year. Instead, we adapted and stayed true to our theme of communion and mission. Rather than celebrating the Chrism Mass during Holy Week, we postponed it because of COVID shutdowns, and celebrated it instead on Friday, July 10. The next day, July 11, the actual 200th anniversary of our founding, we ordained two priests and a transitional deacon — ordinations that had been postponed due to COVID.

Although COVID altered our plans to bring the Catholic faithful together for a Eucharistic Congress in November, we came together virtually for the conferences planned for the Eucharistic Congress followed by Mass at St. Peter Pro-Cathedral, concelebrated by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States; Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop of Washington and keynote speaker for the congress; Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore; and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington. A eucharistic procession on the streets surrounding the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart culminated our celebratory year.

Bishop Barry C. Knestout leads a eucharistic procession near the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, during the holy hour on Nov. 7, 2020, as part of the Eucharistic Congress celebrating the Diocese of Richmond’s bicentennial anniversary. The procession included 80 bishops, priests, deacons and laity. The bicentennial celebration began in January 2020 with an opening Mass at Sacred Heart, Norfolk. Regional Masses were later celebrated in the Western and Central Vicariates. The culminating event of the bicentennial was the Eucharistic Congress Mass at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter on Nov. 11. (Photo/Michael Mickle)

The communion and mission we celebrated during the bicentennial resurfaced in 2022 thanks to two other initiatives. First was the initiation of the “Learn to Lead” campaign seeking support for Catholic Schools in the diocese. The second was the synodality process initiated by Pope Francis in preparation for this year’s World Synod of Bishops. The theme chosen by our Holy Father? Communion, participation and mission.

Our diocese embraced that theme as more than 8,000 people from 123 parishes, Catholic entities and consultative bodies participated in the process. These gatherings were a practical experience for us all of intentionally listening to one another, fully expressing our discipleship and our appreciation for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in guiding the life and activity of the Body of Christ.

Looking to the future

As I mark my anniversary, I am looking forward to what we will undertake this year and in the years beyond. In particular, we will continue to center our lives, as disciples, on the Eucharist and try to be less reliant on livestreaming of Masses as we invite everyone to more fully and devoutly celebrate the Eucharist in our churches.

At the same time, we will be intentionally focused on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, of understanding and embracing Christ as the source and summit of our faith. What we as a diocese have accomplished these last five years would not have been possible without your openness to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life, without your willingness to discern and to use the gifts the Spirit has given you. Thank you for that openness and willingness!

Please continue to work with me in “feeding the sheep” — by proclaiming the Word of God in your daily life, by celebrating the sacraments and by carrying out the Church’s many charitable activities. Personally and communally, let these be the signs of Christ’s presence among us and in the communities in which we live.

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