Frontier of the Faith 
                                Christmas 2011                                                    
                                                                Letter from the Bishop of Reno

Dear benefactors,

We have come nearly full circle in the liturgical year and the Season of Advent will is upon us.  Advent is an especially good time for us to focus on the whole story of our redemption as we recall the great events that lead up to the birth of the Savior. There is a great lesson to be learned from salvation history when we reflect on all the God did for his chosen people in order to prepare them for the salvation that he had promised. The whole history of the Chosen People reflects God’s intervention as he prepares a people to receive the Redeemer.

 God behaves similarly in his dealings with us. We are often impatient with ourselves and those around us because we want to see God take action in our lives immediately.  In the scripture God seems to remind us that he is in charge and that change will happen when the time is right. “We need to let go and let God” which is another of saying let us be patient and allow God to move in our lives and the lives of others. These are difficult times and we are often anxious about many things. We need to do whatever we can to make improvements whether through prayer or through action but always with the knowledge that God is in control and he watches over all of us. “The will of God will never take you, where the grace of God cannot keep you”.

 I have written previously about the Catholic Community in Spring Creek, located about twenty miles South of Elko.  This is a relatively new community dependent mostly on the gold mining operations in that part of the State of Nevada.  It has now grown to be almost the same size as the city of Elko.  Because of the rapid growth of the area, the community is still lacking many things. Until recently, there were not many stores, shops, professional offices, or even churches in Spring Creek.  The situation has changed in the last few years as the community continues to grow.  The Catholic community in Spring Creek is still a part of St. Joseph’s Parish in Elko but it has become large enough that the community needed a space for Religious Education classes and other community activities. Mass had been celebrated in one of the schools.  The people living is Spring Creek asked me for permission to look for a place where they could hold classes, social gatherings and Mass. They also wanted a visible presence in their community. Such a place was found about a year ago and, with the consent of the Diocesan Finance Council, a remodel was undertaken to make it suitable for those purposes. I was able to travel to Elko and Spring Creek in October. We celebrated the ordination of Doroteo Rojas to the Diaconate and, on the same weekend, dedicated the new facility in Spring Creek. God has blessed us in ever so many ways. 

 May you have a grace-filled Advent Season as you prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child. I will be happy to include your intentions in my Masses and prayers in this holy Season.  You need only return the enclosed petition sheet.

 Once again, we have Christmas Cards available for your use which include a special remembrance in the Novena of Masses being offered. The cards are free to you. Just indicate the number of cards you would like to receive and we will mail them to you immediately.

Merry Christmas! May God bless you abundantly for your continued support of our work by your prayers and your support of the Diocese of Reno.  You are remembered daily at Mass.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Randolph R. Calvo
Bishop of Reno


If you would like to order Christmas Cards from Frontier of the Faith please give Brizeida a call at 775-326-9444 or email her at brizeidag@catholicreno.org.