Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Partnerships between laity, religious in the diocese bear fruit

With an apostolate to beautify the church and work for the kingdom, Wayne Ringer, a member of St. Mary Parish in Denton, has seen firsthand the fruits that stem from partnerships between the laity and religious in the diocese.

Ringer has been working with the Knights of the Holy Eucharist, an active contemplative Franciscan community founded by Mother Angelica in 1998, since their arrival in the Lincoln Diocese in 2016. Working together to use their gifts, Ringer and the Knights have completed projects benefiting not only the diocese but also beyond.

Brother Michael Mary, vicar for the Knights of the Holy Eucharist, noted that upon their arrival in Lincoln Diocese, they immediately engaged in various projects. "Immediately, the founder of Leadership Camp, Mr. Herb Reese, got ahold of us and said, ‘Brothers, we want you guys at camp.’”

Leadership Camp is a week-long boys’ camp for altar servers entering sixth through ninth grade set to take place next month at Camp Kateri Tekakwitha in McCool Junction. Brother Michael emphasized that having Knights assist with Leadership Camp aligns with their charism to foster reverence and devotion to the Eucharistic King.

Throughout the week-long camp, attendees participate in daily Mass, Bible studies, adoration and altar server training while enjoying activities such as dodgeball, archery and swimming. Ringer highlighted efforts to make camp enjoyable while fostering prayer and faith life.

Brother Michael described it as “a ton of Bible and scripture study... There’s a lot of great times for these guys to really bond together as brothers.” The camp requires about 120 people each summer to host approximately 70 campers. Volunteers include members from Regnum Christi, Legionaries of Christ seminarians, dads and counselors from high school and college.

The wide range of volunteers exposes campers to various vocations and states of life. Several religious vocations within the diocese trace back to this camp experience; notably Ringer’s son credits his vocation as a Legionary of Christ directly to Leadership Camp.

In addition to Leadership Camp involvement, Ringer and Brother Michael have collaborated on several projects including stations of the cross for St. Mary Church in David City. They also built a canopy used for multiple Eucharistic processions around Planned Parenthood in Lincoln and at the State Capitol. For this project Brother Michael handled most woodwork while Ringer did most sewing.

For Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima's centennial anniversary in 2017 they arranged six processions across parishes building a bier for carrying Blessed Mother's statue during those events. Their broader initiatives included producing videos covering topics like Beatitudes consecration to Mary among others; one video amassed over 55 thousand views explaining Marian titles used within “Litany Of Loretto.”

Regarding project collaborations Ringer stated: “We know each other’s abilities... how we can collaborate together.” Brother Michael appreciates their friendship allowing them combined talents creating devotional masterpieces honoring God.

Ringer learned sewing during eighth-grade home economics class gaining woodworking interest from his carpenter father whereas Brother Michael grew up practicing carpentry seeing Saint Joseph significant incorporating prayer into his projects often seeking divine guidance during adoration moments resulting inspiration clarity coming forth according him crediting Holy Spirit or saints influence.

Knights have partnered with Regnum Christi completing tasks like assembling playground equipment Eaglet Pre-School Program Cathedral Of The Risen Christ School redoing chairs Adoration Chapel same location currently hosting guided holy hours bi-monthly praying men vocations followed meals fellowship next session scheduled August 22nd Sacred Heart Church Lincoln beginning evening meal thereafter school gym encouraging parishioners utilizing talents serving church filling identified needs expressing gratitude towards parish priest appreciation stepping forward contributing God's greater glory according both parties urging volunteerism emphasizing time talent treasure tithing importance communal efforts bringing about substantial positive changes.