Retiring bishop honored at annual Assumption Mass
<p>Bishop Mike Driscoll accepts a gift from Calvin Nomee during Bishop Mike Driscoll’s last time presiding over Mass at the Caltado Pilgrimage on Friday Morning. Bishop Mike Driscoll has been presiding over mass at the Caltado Pilgrimage for 15 years.</p>
<p>Father Marcos Sanchez prays during the 80th annual Caltado Pilgrimage honoring the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday morning at The Mission in Caltado, Idaho.</p>
CATALDO - A booming drum and traditional songs of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe drowned out the cracking of thunder and rain pouring outside the Sacred Heart Church Friday as hundreds funneled into the building.
The church - the oldest structure in Idaho - is part of the Cataldo Mission. Since 1934, the Coeur d'Alenes have made an annual pilgrimage to the mission on the Feast of the Assumption, a Catholic holy day celebrated Aug. 15.
The pilgrimage, which includes a Mass, is traditionally held outside church, on the grounds of the mission. But this year a freak storm brought it indoors.
"I believe everything happens for a reason," said Cece Curtis-Cook, who sang during the Mass. "The reason we are inside today is because our ancestors wanted to be here with us, and so the bishop could have his last Mass inside of the church."
The Most Rev. Michael Driscoll was appointed Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise in 1999, and he has presided over the Cataldo Pilgrimage ever since. Driscoll, whose diocese covers the entire state of Idaho, is retiring from the position and made the trip from Boise to hold his final Feast of the Assumption Mass.
In a blending of tribal and Catholic traditions, priests and members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe commemorated the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven. Scripture readings, songs in both English and Coeur d'Alene, the Mass, and a traditional tribal "Cup Dance" were done while onlookers in the packed mission watched.
After the Mass concluded, the bishop was honored by members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe for his time presiding over the event and presented him with a special blanket emblazoned with the logo of the tribe.
"We love the church. We love prayer. We love God," said Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. "This is a small token to the years of service that you have put in."
Calvin Nomee was the last person to present Driscoll with tokens of gratitude. He said it was appropriate that he be the last to honor the bishop, since he has worked with Driscoll for the entire 15 years the bishop has overseen the Boise diocese.
"When he came to Boise a bunch of people of all nationalities stood on a porch and everyone welcomed him," Nomee said. "I was the last to welcome him and did so in my language as the representative for the first people of Idaho."
Nomee and Driscoll hugged before the tribal member presented the bishop with a ceremonial blanket he was given by the Salish-Kootenai Tribe for his service in the Vietnam War. The bishop was also given a walking stick that Nomee decorated with traditional beads and feathers.
"If he's one of us, he should look like one of us," Nomee said after the ceremony. "It's tough losing a family member. We've been brothers for 15 years."
During a barbecue lunch after the Mass, Driscoll posed for photographs with attendees and told The Press that the Coeur d'Alene Tribe is very special to him.
"It was because of them the first Jesuits came to Idaho and for me that is really a blessing," Driscoll said. "They've been so kind and so loving to me. It's been very special."