A diocesan-wide Mass of Thanksgiving is set for 5 p.m. at the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa.
All are invited to partake in this historic event.
Homilist for the Eucharistic Celebration is the archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales.
Members of the clergy from Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam will be in attendance.
All parochial and ministry teams will also be in attendance and joined by various civic and public leaders.
Camacho, the first bishop of and from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, has served the people for over 23 years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the CNMI.
Camacho has seen the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa grow to and comprise of what are now 13 parishes spread across the CNMI since inheriting his position of authority and oversight in Jan. 1985.
As bishop, however, canon law requires that he submits his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI upon reaching the age of 75.
Camacho will follow this requirement and wait for the Vatican’s decision as to whether or not the resignation will be accepted.
He will continue to serve in his current capacity until a new bishop is appointed.
Other events have been lined up to celebrate and thank Camacho for his tenure and contribution to all the faithful in the commonwealth.
Author Jess R.A. Sonoda provides an insight on Camacho’s journey from a young boy raising goats on a farm to being the Vatican’s pick as bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in a biography titled “From Goatherd to Shepherd.”
The book launches on the morning of Sept. 18 at the Diocesan Curia.
It will be on sale thereafter for all interested individuals.
Together with the book launching is the opening of a gallery spectacle displaying religious collectibles dating from pre-World War II to the more recent years.
To close out the day, a dinner fundraiser will be held at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds from the dinner tickets will go to the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. For more information, contact 234-3000.
As he awaits his impending leave, Bishop Camacho says to the people of the commonwealth, “I thank you, the People of God in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, for your unconditional love and support during our 23-year journey toward the kingdom. I thank you for allowing me to share the happy and memorable moments of your life. You have been my inspiration, consolation and advocate during confusing, difficult and challenging times. Si Yu’os Ma’ase.”
