Each year the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines selects a bucolic location for its annual Rural Life Mass. This year the Mass will be held on the farm of Sheriff Marty and Debbie Arganbright southeast of Guthrie Center. The Mass will be Sunday, August 26th beginning at 10:30am.

The event is free and non-Catholics are also invited to attend. Eric Webster, Grand Knight of St. Cecelia’s Parish Knights of Columbus Council in Panora, says members of all faiths should consider attending. “I think sometimes it’s really fun to see how different faiths celebrate and worship God. So we absolutely want to invite folks from other denominations to feel welcome to come out and join us in the celebration.”

This will also be one of the final large-scale functions for outgoing Bishop Richard E. Pates. Pates announced his retirement in February and the Diocese is in the process of selecting its next Bishop. Webster has been encouraged by the Bishop’s willingness to include rural residents in a special way. “It’s pretty exciting. Bishop Pates has had a big commitment to rural life. It would be pretty easy for a bishop to focus in on the metropolitan area. Between Des Moines and Council Bluffs there are a lot of small parishes that (service) farm families. I just think it’s wonderful that he highlights that and celebrates that with an initiative that he began.”

Seating is limited so lawn chairs are recommended. There will be plenty of parking and signs leading the way towards the farm. There will also be a free meal following the Mass. To hear more about the event, listen to Webster on today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.