Catholics in eastern Oregon mark diocese's 100th anniversary

Published: 2003-10-21

REDMOND, Ore. (CNS) -- A celebration marking the centennial of the Diocese of Baker in eastern Oregon culminated Oct. 10 with a solemn, joyful Mass and multicultural festival that brought 2,800 Catholics to the Deschutes County fairgrounds in Redmond. It was a time, said Baker Bishop Robert F. Vasa in both English and Spanish, to "thank the Lord for the graces and blessings he has showered upon us and to pray for more blessings and graces." Holly and Patrick Bentz, members of St. Elizabeth Parish in the remote town of John Day, came with five children ages 9 and younger. They made a three-hour car trip through high-desert sagebrush and juniper forest to attend the two-and-a-half-hour Mass, which included a cardinal, 15 bishops, an abbot, 29 visiting priests and the 30-plus priests of the widespread rural diocese. "I think it's really neat to spend some extra time celebrating this," said Holly Bentz, holding one of her 3-year-old twins. "It shows that we're part of a church bigger than our parish." Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss of Omaha, Neb., a native of Baker City, delivered a sermon lauding Catholics of the 67,000-square-mile diocese for their faith, determination and loyalty to the wider church.

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