Video Message with Bishop David L. Ricken
"Ring Out Church Bells Joyfully on Easter Sunday" available for download at https://vimeo.com/405902130.
Press Release
GREEN BAY, Wis. (April 8, 2020) – This Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at 12 p.m., Bishop David L. Ricken invites all churches throughout the Diocese of Green Bay to ring their bells for one minute as a “clarion witness to the Victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death.” Christian churches have a long and beautiful history of ringing their bells, whether marking the end of a war, in times of victory against a common enemy, or even just to call people to prayer throughout the day.
“I am joining with the bishops throughout Wisconsin, at the request of Archbishop Listecki of Milwaukee, to lift up our collective sound as a call to hope,” said Bishop Ricken. “These are troubling times, make no mistake, and I believe the best impression we can provide now is that of present hope and future glory – a simple, quiet presence that will calm the storms as we cling to Christ, and spiritually to one another.”
Bishop also welcomes those of all faith traditions to lift up in prayer each day the brave men and women on the front lines in health care and all those who are sick and in their care. If you are Catholic, Bishop suggests that each day at noon you pray the Angelus or say an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. For the faithful of other denominations, Bishop invites you, too, to join in prayer by meditating on a favorite passage of Scripture or spending a moment in silence. Prayer is something that unites us at this time and is a powerful support to all affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are an Easter people, filled with the hope and joy of the risen Lord,” said Bishop Ricken. “May we collectively harness our strength and pray for safety and wellness over all those affected by this virus. My blessings go out to each of you in the 16 counties of northeast Wisconsin that make up this diocese.”
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Who we are: As friends and followers of Jesus, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is devoted to fostering households and communities of discipleship through the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church. We are missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God. Established in 1868, the diocese is composed of 324,000 Catholics in 16 counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.
Contact: Justine Lodl, director of communications, at 920-272-8213 or