by Jem Sullivan
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Photo CNS
eep beneath the Eternal City of Rome lies one of the earliest images of Jesus. The remarkable third-century fresco in the Catacomb of Priscilla depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The ancient image expresses the belief of the early Christians that Jesus—prophet, priest, and king—sent the apostles and bishops after him to teach, sanctify, and govern the peoThe bishops ple entrusted to him. Like Jesus, bishops are take the Church’s called to be good evangelizing shepherds who care for their people with mission to the a heart of humility and whole nation service. And that’s what they have been doing in this country, as a body, for one hundred years now. So as our US bishops celebrate the centenary of their conference this year, we can be grateful for their good shepherding. In numerous ways, they have led the Church and helped us to draw closer to Jesus in our everyday lives. To Teach. Imagine a deacon in Ohio preparing a Sunday homily,
Celebrating 100 Years of Service to God’s People • 15