Auxiliary Bishop's Letter for Autumn 2022

 Dear Friends,

As I greet you this evening, I am reflecting in gratitude on our gathering almost four months ago as we celebrated together and committed my episcopal ministry to prayer. This summer has provided moments for much needed rest, and an opportunity to begin acclimatizing myself to episcopal ministry. For your prayers in the past four months, your calls, and your emails, I can only say ‘thank you’.

As we begin to move into the autumn months, I am very excited to share with you that final edits have been concluded on The Eucharistic Missal of the Communion of International Communities, and that as of this week, the Altar Edition is available to purchase on Lulu.com. It has been my profound privilege to serve as editor of this project over the past few years – from the conception phase, to our presentation at our Colorado Convocation in 2021, to its first formal use in the Communion on the day of my consecration. Archbishop Todd has provided invaluable feedback from trial usage, with Abbot Bernard and Abbot Emeritus Robert of our Cistercian Order providing guidance on forms and texts for the Order’s use.

In the next few weeks, you should keep your eye peeled... as each parish in the United States will be receiving a copy in the mail. This should arrive in plenty of time for you to review and to prepare for the First Sunday of Advent, when the new Liturgy will come into use. Archbishop Todd will be hosting a Narrative Mass at Saint Matthias in November, and if the video is suitable, he will share it with us. I am planning to host an open call, also in November, for active Q&A on how to navigate the Missal. These opportunities are timed to give you the chance to review your copy before these two learning opportunities.

Finally, as I begin in earnest the process of working with Archbishop Todd to transition into my role as Bishop Ordinary for the American Catholic Communities in January of 2024, I will be reaching out to the clergy and consecrated religious resident in the United States to set up a regular time to connect, to get to know you better, and to learn how I may best serve our Lord and you in the days ahead. Please be on the lookout for that email.

Should a need arise, you are always welcome to contact me.

In Christ, I seek to be your servant.

A Statement from Bishop-Elect Lyons

It is with a wide mix of emotions that I have received and accepted the election of our College of Bishops to join them as a co-laborer in episcopal office in the role of Auxiliary Bishop for the American Catholic Communities. As Bishop Bell shared in his announcement to the Diocese, the current plan is for me to work with him over the course of the next few years. During this time, I will be experiencing episcopal ministry alongside him and deepening relationships with the people, consecrated religious, and clergy of the diocese as I prepare to transition into the role of Bishop Ordinary when he transitions his focus to the role of Presiding Bishop of our global Communion.

As some of you already know, 2022 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. Throughout this quarter-century of ministry, I have been privileged to share in the joys and the sorrows of many. In every circumstance, when I walk away from a situation or experience, it has been repeatedly confirmed to me that YAHWEH is most fully active and present when I am able to set myself aside and allow Christ to live within me. In the months to come, I would ask clergy throughout our diocese, our consecrated religious, and indeed all the faithful to lift me up in prayer, that this aspiration (drawn from Saint Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20) may be more firmly impressed upon my spirit as I approach the day of my consecration.

I would also like to especially invite your prayers for my wife, Kristen, and our three children – Clare, Brendan, and Grace, and for our family as a whole during this transition. Please pray for us to rejoice in the myriad of ways that YAHWEH speaks into our lives daily and invites us to surrender ourselves more fully to his good pleasure. Please pray, as well, for our church-planting work in Central Indiana which will continue during this time.

To Kristen, Clare, Brendan, and Grace: Thank you for your love, support, and for the joy you bring to my life. Throughout this journey, I will strive to be ever-more Christ-like for you.

To all of my Christian brothers and sisters: Please know of my deep love for you, and my desire to get to know you better as, in the coming years, I visit your parishes, breaking open the Word, celebrating the Sacraments, and listening to your hearts.

To the Consecrated Religious resident in the Diocese: Know of my special affection for your ministry of prayer, service, and intercession on behalf of all, and, in your charity, please pray that my unworthiness for this role may be transformed through the ever-present power of the Spirit.

To my brother Priests: It has been my privilege to serve alongside you over the years. It is my greatest desire to be present to each of you with an open heart and deep listening in the years to come, and to labor together in our corner of the Vineyard to bring forth a harvest rich in faith. I look forward to our labors together.

Finally, to the College of Bishops: Your voice of confidence in me resonates deeply, after nearly two-years of a pandemic in which, at times, things seem and feel bleak. Thank you for affirming what you see the Lord doing in me, for promising your guidance as I mature into this role, and for holding our family close to your hearts in prayer.

In Christ, our Risen Lord, I strive to be your servant.