In a year of bailouts and Ponzi schemes and wink-wink politics, walking into the 2009 National Western Stock Show on Sunday felt like a stroll down the main street of Brigadoon.

As fans of theatrical plotlines know, in order to preserve its gracious beauty and timeless peace, the mythical Scottish town comes to life only once every 100 years.

In real life, the stock show does it every year, reclaiming what seems like a lost America - a world where riches are measured in land and living things, like cattle, not in tottering piles of paper debt.

In this world, a man's word is his bond. That goes for women and kids, too, though in this world, you needn't spell it out.

Faith has an honored role in this world of quiet strength and no-nonsense, get-it-done values. A Catholic Mass and a worship service of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys showed how.

Here, when the preacher doesn't show on time, guys like Robbie Sneed step up to get the job done. At the fellowship's service, a bluegrass-gospel band, Reckless Abandon, held the crowd of 100 rapt as they waited for the preacher, Grant Adkisson. Finally, Sneed, a veteran worker in Texas feedlots, stepped to the mike.

"Well, this is quite a test," he drawled. "I don't really know what to say, but I guess Jesus wanted me to speak, so that's fine by me. I'm his servant."

The servant cracked open his Bible. By the time Adkisson arrived 20 minutes later, Sneed, a truck driver from Elizabeth, had scored a solid scripture message. He ended simply, "Thanks for letting a pinch hitter hit," and got a round of applause.

A short hike away, it was nearly time for Catholic Mass. The altar was set smack dab in the center of the preternaturally quiet Denver Coliseum. As he does each year, the Rev. Tomas Fraile would lead the liturgy in a graceful weave of Spanish and English.

On this Sunday morning, Jerry Diaz woke, out of sorts. The founder of the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza (who brought the Catholic Mass to the stock show 15 years ago) explained to the crowd that his son Nicholas, 5, had just sprained his neck in a fall in the living room.

Diaz was also troubled by the growing frailty of his folks, Rosa and Don Jose (Pepe) Diaz. His dad, a Texas horse trainer, performer and past stock show star, is 90 this year. But worries and worldly cares should be given to God, Diaz told 100 worshipers: "The economy, money, is not going to make you happy." True riches are family "and the inspiration in your soul."

He said he had hoped, after 15 years, the Mass would fill the coliseum. Nevertheless, "I can feel right now, as I look up in the stands, there's a beautiful spirit here."

He sounded surprised, as if he'd seen something precious and rare; something that came along, say, once every 100 years.