Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
I hope these summer days are providing you with some opportunities for rest, relaxation and enjoying the beautiful spring and summer in northwest Iowa. I hope many of you take time to enjoy even a small vacation this year. It is good for the soul!
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
As another year of school has ended, and I want to thank all the administrators, faculty, staff, and parents who have done so much to ensure quality Catholic education for our young people and youth. This includes our Catholic Schools, religious education programs, our home schoolers and our Catholic University, Briar Cliff. Our schools, University and programs exist because they seek to pass on the treasure of our Catholic faith as taught by the Church and given to us by Christ Himself. We are constantly called to make sure that the faith of the Church is always taught in its fullness. Otherwise we have no reason to call our institutions “Catholic.” As Bishop, I see that one of my primary roles is to ensure that the Catholic faith is being taught, not only in our classrooms, but also in all the activities associated with education. I am pleased that our schools and education programs strive to do all they can to provide solid and faithful Catholic education and I thank all those who make this a reality in our diocese.
Many of you know that I wrote the president of the University of Notre Dame strongly disagreeing with honoring our president who is so adamant in promoting the culture of death. This is seen in Mr. Obama’s stance regarding the killing of innocent human life through abortion and embryonic stem cell research and in his policies and appointments of persons who promote the anti-life agenda. So many of us wonder, how could a “Catholic” university do this? Well, the short answer is, that it can’t. At least, it can’t if it is truly a Catholic entity.
I have received many positive calls, letters, and emails thanking me for sharing my views. Only a couple have been negative regarding this “honor” given to a man who is seemingly so opposed to what our Church teaches about life. Father Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame, has yet to respond to my letter to him.
This whole issue of what Catholic education really means is so important to us today as we strive to grow in our understanding of our faith. Catholic education must speak and teach the Truth, and the Truth is Jesus Christ and all He has entrusted to the Church. Our schools, religious education programs and University and all the activities supported by them can be great beacons of light in a world that so often prefers the darkness of ignorance or relativism. I am grateful for all who support them and assist them in so many ways as they teach the truth and fullness of our Catholic faith. Let us pray that we will always be proud of the faith that we have and never afraid to be truly Catholic in word and deed.
DAN RYAN and SEAN MARTIN
As you know, we have two new additions to our Diocesan staff to help us in our Catholic Schools and Religious Education programs. I look forward to working with Dan Ryan, our new superintendent of Catholic Schools and Sean Martin, our new Director of the Office of Religious Education and Family Life. Both men are solid, faithful Catholics and have much to offer us through their talents, abilities, and lives of commitment and dedication to all things Catholic. I know that once you get to know them, you will appreciate the gifts they bring to our Diocese.
MARK THOMASON
I also want to take this opportunity to thank one member of our Chancery staff who is leaving the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, Mark Thomason. Mark, in his short time among us has given himself completely to the task of sharing the faith in all its fullness. He has done wonders in promoting the faith of our youth and young adults in the programs like Totus Tuus and “Theology on Tap.” He has given us all a beautiful witness of the importance of being pro-life in “40 Days For Life” and other pro-life initiatives. The work of evangelization and catechesis is difficult, but Mark has done an extraordinary job in sharing the faith in a vibrant and vigorous way to all in our Diocese. He has taught and witnessed his deep faith in countless ways and he will be sorely missed. We wish Mark and his wife Nicole all the best as they prepare for a new child and new endeavors.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS
The close of the year of Saint Paul will be celebrated throughout the World on June 29, 2009. This past year marked the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul as requested by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. Our own special tapestry of St. Paul was present in four different sites in our diocese: the Cathedral, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, West Bend, St. Paul Church in Scranton and Trinity Heights. Hopefully, all of us had opportunities to learn more about this wonderful “Apostle to the Gentiles” and appreciate the witness of this great saint. May Saint Paul continue to be a blessing to us, especially when we hear and read his words in Scripture.
As the Year of St. Paul ends, so the “Year for Priests” begins. Our Holy Father has designated the year June 19, 2009- June 19, 2010 as a special year to “encourage priests in...striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends... It is the 150th anniversary of the death of the Holy Cure d’ Ars, John Mary Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.” (Address announcing the Year for Priests, 16 March 2009, Benedict XVI). This year will be more than simply praying for priests. It will be a year whose purpose is to have priests deepen their spiritual lives so that they can truly live out their vocation to be Christ in our midst. This year begins on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and reminds us all that priests must have hearts on fire with love for Jesus and the people they serve. I know all of you love your priests, as do I. Let us pray for them especially this year that they may deepen their spiritual lives and grow into perfect images of Christ, the Good Shepherd. May St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests intercede for them and inspire them in their holy and blessed vocation.
Let this also be a year of intense prayer for more priests to serve especially in our diocese. Let us all do whatever we can to encourage our young men to be open to the call from God to serve him as a priest.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
As you know, this weekend we will have a special collection for the work of Catholic Charities. This great organization in our diocese serves the needs of many during these difficult economic times. The stress and worry of these times has caused many to need extra help to cope with many difficult issues. Marriages and families are at risk and our Catholic Charities wants to do all they can to assist those who need special counseling at this time. They have lowered their fees and we can help supplement their budget to cover these costs by our generous financial support to this special collection. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
CAMP CAYOCA AND TOTUS TUUS
This past weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating Mass at Twin Lakes Camp for the 3rd thru 5th graders at the conclusion of the first session of what we call Camp CAYOCA (CAtholic YOuth CAmp). It was a wonderful opportunity for me to be with the youngsters of our parishes and their families. This is another example of our efforts to teach the faith in a different setting than a traditional classroom. It was great to see these young people excited and enthusiastic about their Catholic faith. I want to thank Jessica Malm and all her staff and volunteers for making this camp possible.
Totus Tuus has been in our diocese for three years now. We started with one team and now have grown to three. Four college aged students travel in teams and spend a week at one of our parishes. I have heard nothing but praise for this program. It involves youth (3rd grade through 12th grade) who experience a special week of growth in the faith. This year 3 of our seminarians are part of our teams. I thank them and the other team members from our diocese and beyond who dedicate their precious time to help teach the faith to our young people..
As you can see, we here in the Diocese of Sioux City have much to be thankful for. God has blessed us in many ways. You, my dear people are a blessing to me. Let us continue to pray for one another and give glory to our God.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City