The two Catholic Bishops in Montana, Bishop Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Helena and Bishop Jeffrey Fleming of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, come with an important message about defending life in Montana from the currently proposed Constitutional Initiative 128 (CI-128).
Through the ministry of the Montana Catholic Conference, the Bishops of Montana have a long history of speaking out on issues, especially as a voice for those most vulnerable and those who cannot speak for themselves. This is the appropriate voice of the Church in public affairs, not endorsing a candidate or party, but focusing on issues of grave importance to our Church, our State, and our people.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, pray for us.
"There is real, miraculous, and transformative peace in the protection of Mary’s Mantle. To this end, Cardinal Burke is calling upon all Catholics to join him in a significant Novena seeking Our Lady’s intercession. Those who sign up to accompany the Cardinal in this urgent effort can expect short video reflections from His Eminence each month, in addition to regular written reflections and prayers."
Find more information at Return to Our Lady (novena.cardinalburke.com).
Monthly Reflections
Priest and Personnel Assignments 2024
Bishop Vetter is pleased to announce the parish and personnel appointments, effective July 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted.
Father Stan Rog – Administrator of Risen Christ Parish, Kalispell, for a fourth three-year term and Administrator of St. Matthew Parish, Kalispell, for a second three-year term.
Father Kyle Tannehill – Parochial Vicar, Resurrection University Parish, Bozeman, for a second one-year term.
Father Pius X Harding, OSB – Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, Libby, with Immaculate Conception Mission, Troy, and Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Eureka, for a third one-year term.
Vicki Burgmeier – Pastoral Administrator, St. Michael Parish, Drummond, with St. Mary Mission, Gold Creek, and St. Philip Parish, Philipsburg (Flint Creek Catholic Community) for another three year term. Fr. Kirby Longo remains Canonical Pastor of Flint Creek Catholic Community.
Father Kirby Longo – Pastor, St. John the Baptist Parish, Frenchtown, with St. Albert the Great Mission, Alberton, and St. Mary Queen of Heaven Mission, Superior, for a six-year term. Addition to his responsibilities as Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Missoula, Dean of the Missoula Deanery, and Canonical Pastor of Flint Creek Catholic Community.
Father Tom Lankenau, SJ – Sacramental Minister, St. John the Baptist Parish, Frenchtown, with St. Albert the Great Mission, Alberton, and St. Mary Queen of Heaven Mission, Superior, for a one-year term (renewable).
Father Victor Cancino, SJ – Pastor, Saint Ignatius Mission Parish, St. Ignatius, with Sacred Heart Mission, Arlee, and St. John Berchmans Mission, Jocko. (effective March 1, 2024)
Meet Our Seminarians
To send prayers and notes of support, please contact our seminarians at their respective seminaries. Details may be found on the back cover of our bulletins. For those who may be wondering why you don't see Clint in these videos: Clint is studying at the FSSP seminary in Nebraska. He is a seminarian, but not a diocesan seminarian.
We encourage all those looking for live-streamed Mass to visit the Diocese of Helena's YouTube page.
Banner photo: The Holy Family with the Infant St. John the Baptist and St. Elizabeth (detail) by Nicolas Poussin (1650-1651)
St. John the Baptist Parish - Frenchtown, MT
Includes information for the missions of St. Albert the Great and St. Mary Queen of Heaven (although St. Mary's has its own FB page as well).