Newly installed Bishop Edward M. Rice celebrates Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape

During his homily Thursday evening at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Edward M. Rice reflected on his newly appointed position as head of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

He likened the role to being the shepherd of a flock of sheep, just as Christ is portrayed in biblical accounts as the Good Shepherd.

“That is the first challenge of the shepherd: to love the sheep, to the extent that he will lay down his life for (them),” Rice told a building packed with well-wishers.

Pope Francis appointed Rice as bishop-designate of the 25,000-square-mile diocese in April, and Rice officially was installed Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield.

After that he headed to Cape Girardeau to celebrate an evening Mass on Thursday with the religious and lay people in this part of his 66-parish, 39-county ministry.

GLENN LANDBERG ~ glandberg@semissourian.com The Rev. Allan Saunders welcomes Bishop Edward Matthew Rice, of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese at the start of a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary *s Cathedral Thursday, June 2, 2016 in Cape Girardeau.

After speaking about his responsibility as shepherd, Rice also reminded his new flock to hold up their end of the deal.

“You must be willing to follow, not blindly, but with confidence and trust that will lead to the fullness of life,” he told them.

Since his appointment through a papal representative in Washington, D.C., Rice said he’s prayed about how he would fit into his new position and what he could offer the people of the diocese.

Then he remembered the biblical account of the words the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary when he told her she had been chosen to carry God’s son: “Do not be afraid.” He also recalled Mary’s response: “May it happen to me according to your word.”

In other words, thy will be done.

“I simply want to be Christ for you. I want to bring Christ to you,” Rice said.

The diocese had been without a religious leader since November, when Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. was reassigned to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

In addition to serving as a priest in the St. Louis diocese since his ordination in 1987, Rice worked as an associate pastor, a religion teacher, pastor and seminary director.

In 2008, he was appointed as a reverend monsignor, and in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named him auxiliary bishop for St. Louis.

Rice is now the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

ljones@semissourian.com

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