The 20th annual convention of the Diocese of Western Louisiana met March 19-20 at St. Mark's Cathedral, Shreveport, with approximately 350 delegates and guests in attendance. The theme for convention was "Mission Y2K/Matthew 28.com."

The convention opened with the Eucharist, celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Robert J. Hargrove, Bishop of Western Louisiana. The sermon was given by the Honduras Mission Team from Western Louisiana who were caught in Hurricane Mitch when it hit and experienced some anxious times.

After the opening Eucharist the altar was prepared as a St. Joseph altar. Bishop Hargrove had asked all parishes in the diocese to collect food on two Sundays before convention; to give 90 percent to the poor in their communities and to bring the remaining 10 percent to convention for the St. Joseph altar. This food will be distributed to the poor.

Bishop Hargrove's message to his people was centered on Jesus' final commission in Matthew 28: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." The bishop said, "in your heart burns the passion to make another one a Christian, but if we have not touched one spiritually, we have only done half the task. We are more inclusive than we have ever been, but not totally; but we will do it. Will we claim this moment for Christ or will we let it pass? We have reached all people like ourselves. We have played with evangelism and long-range goals long enough. Now is the time to seize the moment."

Bob Stevens, executive director of the Dominican Development Group, spoke to convention about building churches and schools in the Dominican Republic, Western Louisiana's companion diocese. Approximately $20,000 was pledged by individuals at convention to help complete a school now under construction.

A 1999 budget of more than $1.1 million was approved, and a progress report was given on the rebuilding of the diocesan camp, conference and retreat center.