10 July 2008
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I saw a headline in our local paper, “Knee High by the Fourth of July” and it reminded me of a phrase some people use about this time of the year: “The summer is half over.” I hope not, for me, at least, it seems summer has just begun. Today I would like to share with you some random thoughts and reflections.
SUMMER VACATION
Last Sunday’s scripture readings gave many homilists (me included) a chance to reflect upon the need and importance of summer vacations and time away from our busy schedules and daily activities. Saint Matthew’s gospel shared with us the invitation of Jesus: “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” The Lord’s invitation is addressed to all of us. We are asked to come away at times and spend time with the Lord so he can rejuvenate and refresh us with His presence. This is one of the reasons that Sundays in our culture and in our faith are to be “days of rest.” The Sundays of our year can be ‘mini-vacations’ from our busy work days. We step back and let God nourish and renew us in prayer and in Communion in the rest that we take.
Just as Sundays give us a break during the week, summer vacations can give us a break during the year. We all need time away from our daily work and routine. Those of us who do have a chance to “get away” are fortunate. Not all people are granted this luxury and all of us need to continue to do what we can to ensure justice and respect for human dignity in the workplace.
Even our Holy Father takes a break in the summer as he often travels outside Rome to the mountains of northern Italy. Rest is good for the body, mind and spirit. If we are fortunate to spend some of that time, “resting in the Lord”, we are blessed indeed.
As some of you know, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks away in Italy. A priest friend of mine and his parents (celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary) visited Rome, Assisi, Florence and Siena. I spent time enjoying all the ‘tourist traps’, the food and the cultural differences between America and Italy. We also took a good amount of time to pray and celebrate Mass and reflect and take time for meditation in the many churches we visited. We just didn’t want to “see” them, but to experience them as places of prayer. Carrying and praying the rosary made it a little easier to be more than just sight-seers. We truly tried to be pilgrims. I found these days to be restful and prayerful, but one does have to work at it, surrounded as you are by many tourists who just want “to see everything you are supposed to see.”
ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
I made at least three visits to the Basilica of St. Peter. Once again, I had the chance to attend a Papal Audience with Benedict XVI and had an opportunity to speak to him personally. I shared with him the prayers and good wishes of the people of the Diocese of Sioux City and thanked him for his recent visit to the United States. The Holy Father’s brief response was, “I enjoyed my visit very much.” Meeting with our Holy Father was, of course, one of the highlights of my trip. I prayed specially for all of you at the tomb of Saint Peter and prayed that our Diocese and our people be blessed with goodness and holiness.
I particularly enjoyed the visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. This is the place tradition tells us that Saint Paul has been honored for centuries. As you know, Pope Benedict has declared this the “Year of Saint Paul” (June 29, 2008-June 29, 2009). Once again, I prayed that through the intercession of Saint Paul that our priests and people would be blessed and sustained in our Catholic faith. Saint Paul is the great “Apostle to the Nations” and I pray that through his intercession all of us realize the importance of mission and evangelization. May we, like Saint Paul, never be afraid to witness to our faith and always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
At the quiet and prayerful town of Assisi, I prayed for the intercession of both St. Francis and St. Clare. These holy Franciscans are special to our Diocese and especially Briar Cliff University with its Franciscan focus in Catholic education. Once again I prayed for all of us and especially for the Administration, faculty and students of Briar Cliff.
In the beautiful town of Siena, my focus was on the wonderful Doctor of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena. She was a courageous and holy woman who used her extraordinary gifts to help the Church grow in wisdom and deeper faith. May she be an inspiration to all of us.
I hope and pray that each of you has a chance to get away, if even for a short time this summer. I want to gently remind us all that this is no “vacation” from our vocation as faithful Catholics. Sunday Mass, even on vacation is of primary importance to us. Going to Sunday Mass on vacation is a perfect opportunity for us to thank God for the many blessings He gives us. Make sure to make this a priority.
ORDINATION AND NEW ASSIGNMENTS
I am still so grateful to God for the blessing of the two newest priests of our Diocese, Fathers Jeremy Wind and Shane Deman. The ordination was a joyous occasion for all of us. As I said in my remarks, my hope is that many more young men will be inspired to say yes to the call God might be giving them to become priests of Jesus Christ and serve in our Diocese. Let us never grow weary of praying for vocations. Our Lord has told us: Beg the harvest master to send more laborers into the harvest. I know many seeds are being planted in the hearts of our young people to follow the Lord as consecrated persons, deacons and priests-all laborers for the harvest.
Many of our priests begin new assignments this month. To those priests who are retiring, we say thank you for all you have done for so many. We also thank these priests who even in retirement, will continue as they can to provide pastoral ministry for so many in our Diocese.
Change is often hard for many of us. Priests who leave one assignment and go to another, do so with mixed feelings. Let us remember to pray for them in their time of transition. They leave people who have known and loved them and whom they have loved in return. I, as Bishop, am so grateful that these priests are willing to share their talents and abilities with others. To those who welcome them in new parishes, please make them feel at home and continue to give them prayerful support in all they do for you.
May Saint Paul continue to intercede for the wonderful people in our Diocese and enable us to become holy. Enjoy your summer and know that I pray for each of you every day. May the Lord give you peace.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City