Bishop Liam Cary in Baker City

Bishop Liam Cary, Bishop of the Baker Diocese

Today our new Bishop Liam Cary will take possession of the Cathedral. He visits our parish this weekend for the first time. Yesterday we drove to our mission church in Halfway where he was welcomed enthusiastically by the parishioners there, celebrating Mass and being treated to a nice reception. Today he will celebrate the 9:30 AM Mass as well as a Spanish Mass at noon. As the official pastor of the Cathedral he will knock on the doors just before the Mass starts, and as I welcome him, offering a cross to kiss, he will then proceed towards the altar blessing the people with Holy Water. A reception will also be held after Mass.

The Bishop's cathedra in the middle

The Bishop's chair or cathedra shows his presence as our new leader and shepherd. He used this chair at his consecration in Bend on May 18, but he will now use it whenever he celebrates Mass here in the Cathedral. Most bishop live at the Cathedral of their respective Diocese, but Bishop Cary lives in Bend, Oregon, where the Diocesan offices are located.