Holy Father Pope Francis Names

Diocese of Las Vegas' First Auxiliary Bishop

My dear Priests, Deacons, Staff, and Friends of the Diocese of Las Vegas,

It is with great joy that I share with you the news that today, our Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Gregory W. Gordon, Vicar General of the Diocese of Las Vegas, as Auxiliary Bishop of Las Vegas with the Titular See of Novapietra.

This is the first time the Diocese of Las Vegas has ever had an Auxiliary Bishop. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio, hopes to attend the Ordination to proclaim the papal letter at the Ordination Mass of Bishop-elect Gordon on Friday, 16 July 2021. I will be the ordaining prelate of the Mass.

I ask you to keep Bishop-elect Gordon in your prayers. Kindly mark your calendars to concelebrate and to assist at the Episcopal Ordination Mass on July 16. The location of the Ordination is yet to be determined. More information regarding the details of that day will be forthcoming.

Let us give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, the clergy, and the faithful of the Diocese of Las Vegas on this day.Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend George Leo Thomas, Ph.D.
Bishop of Las Vegas

Pope names Las Vegas vicar general as
auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Las Vegas

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Gregory W. Gordon, vicar general of the Las Vegas Diocese since 2020, to be an auxiliary bishop of the Nevada diocese.Bishop-designate Gordon, 60, also has been diocesan chancellor and moderator of the diocese since 2020.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Nevada, he was ordained a priest for Las Vegas Jan. 16, 1988.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio, announced the appointment in Washington May 28.

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People's hearts and the entire church must be wide open to wonder and devotion to Christ and ready to embrace everyone -- sinner and saint alike, Pope Francis said.

"The church of the perfect and pure is a room where there isn't a place for anyone; the church with open doors that celebrates around Christ is, on the other hand, a large hall where everyone -- the righteous and sinners -- can enter," the pope said in his homily during Mass June 6, to mark the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

"The Eucharist is meant to nourish those who are tired and hungry along the journey, let's not forget this!" he said during the early evening Mass, which was celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica with about 200 people, who wore masks and maintained social distance. Read More

Read it in English Click HERE    Leer en español Oprima Aquî

Mexican Consul General visits Bishop Thomas

On Thursday, April 29, the Honorable Julian Escutia Rodriguez, Consul of Mexico in Las Vegas, Nevada visited Bishop Thomas and his staff at the Catholic Center for a moment of introductions. Bishop Thomas and Consul Escutia shared their hopes for varied opportunities of collaboration.

Consul Escutia Rodriguez is a career diplomat who has served at Embassies of Mexico in the United States and New Zealand. Licensed in international relations and public policy, he has also served as Director of Protection of Mexicans in the Exterior and as Coordinator of the Subsecretariat for North America.

Consul Escutia expressed an eagerness to help many of our parishioners in our diocesan parishes with their immigration questions and concerns. These consular services include passports and visas, as well as domestic violence, refugee and humanitarian issues.

The Mexican Consulate, during this time of pandemic, recently hosted a Vacuna-ton as a means of encouraging the Mexican-American community and the community at large to receive their vaccines. In cooperation with Clark County and the Southern Nevada Health District, select parishes in our diocese may also host vaccine clinics, in an effort to reach out to the underserved within our Catholic community.

Consul Escutia and his family are happy to make Southern Nevada their adopted home. Educated by the Marist Fathers and Brothers in Mexico City and in San Luis Potosi, Escutia hopes to visit our parishes and get to know our priests and faithful.

Following this fruitful meeting and exchange, Bishop Thomas and Consul Escutia gathered before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Catholic Center, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, in this miraculous image, is revered as Queen of Mexico and Empress of America.

Leer en español Oprima Aquî

On January 8, 2021, Grand Lady Pam Hunter of the Knights of Peter Claver, along with her grandson, Elijah Hunter, Western States Junior Conference President, presented Bishop George Leo Thomas, Ph.D. with The Claver Prayer. The Knights of Peter Claver were founded on November 7, 1909 in Mobile, Alabama, consisting of seven founders – four Josephite priests and three laymen, all of whom served in Diocese of Mobile, Alabama.

The Claver Prayer was written by Brother Christopher Kiefer of Indianapolis, Indiana in 1984. Brother Kiefer, at the time, was Grand Knight of Saints Peter & Paul Council No. 191. The Claver Payer was adopted by the 1984 National Convention in New Orleans. Thank you, Knights of Peter Claver, for your continued support. Special gratitude and New Year’s blessings to all the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver.

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