Greetings in the Risen Lord!

All signs throughout the diocese pointed to a blessed celebration of the Holy Triduum, and so it was.  Throughout the preparation of the Lenten Season, and into Holy Week, we were led into new signs of resurrection in our hearts, families, and parishes.  Now into the season of Easter we rejoice, for the Lord has risen, the veil has been lifted, and the hour of Jesus is upon us!

I am especially happy to share news from the front page of the National Catholic Register (a subsidiary of EWTN) on this past Holy Thursday: “Something’s Happening: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses.”   The article relates stories of dioceses and archdioceses reporting substantial surges in people coming into full communion in the Church.  Within the article is situated a pink box showing the top 10 dioceses’ 2026 increase by percentage.  In that top 10, the Diocese of Pueblo achieved the number 2 position with a 105% increase of people entering the church in the U.S. this year!  This is over and above last years’ increase, and far above our pre-covid numbers.  Something wonderful is happening, an amazing gift to be celebrated, and much gratitude given to all those men, women and children now joined in our full communion, and to all who have supported them on their journey.

"Something wonderful is happening, an amazing gift to be celebrated, and much gratitude given to all those men, women and children now joined in our full communion, and to all who have supported them on their journey."

Signs of resurrection have been present to us for some time, in the record number of Confirmations celebrated last year, in the hospitable parish OCIA programs as evidenced in the amazing Rites of Election we celebrated at the beginning of Lent, and in the increase of catechists applying for formation.  We may trace these graces of conversion back to commitments made to Forming Intentional Disciples in 2017, then through the Diocesan Convocation in Westcliffe, 2022, where we invoked the Holy Spirit upon the diocese, and now through the quiet, steady dedication of Dr. Seth Wright and his amazing team, which now includes fifty-one parish catechetical leaders, with more than a hundred to start catechetical formation this summer.

With the gratitude that comes from this influx of new members and their inspiration, I am especially thankful for all parishioners over the diocese for making our parishes hospitable to newcomers, even when times have not always been easy over the past few years.  Our ever-increasing understanding of, and love for the Eucharist is bearing fruit.  The times are changing.  Many good people, frustrated with the illogical nature of the workings of society, are seeking the Truth.  We are reaching out in prayer and faith, and it is making a difference in the lives of others.

"With the gratitude that comes from this influx of new members and their inspiration, I am especially thankful for all parishioners over the diocese for making our parishes hospitable to newcomers, even when times have not always been easy over the past few years." 

As we now follow Jesus through the Gospels of the Easter Season, let us keep our minds and hearts open.  He is risen as he said.  He is appearing all along the way.  We are never alone, he lives within us, he draws us ever closer in the Trinity to everlasting joy, and…

       The Signs of the Resurrection abound, Allelulia!

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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