24 July 2008
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
I hope these summer days continue to be refreshing and renewing for you. I pray that those of you who are able to travel on vacation have safe and peaceful travel.
SAINT BONIFACE, CHARTER OAK
This past Sunday morning, I had a pleasant drive from Sioux City to Charter Oak. The parish is celebrating its one hundred twenty-fifth Anniversary. The Mass and luncheon afterwards were great events. I want to thank Father Don Slaven and his planning staff for the wonderful event. It was a great joy to have Father Richard Remmes joins us for lunch. His two sisters were also present. Father Remmes is the only priestly vocation to come from St. Boniface Parish. I am grateful for his vocation and ask all of us to continue to pray that many young men open themselves up to responding to God’s call to become priests as Father Remmes did. Parents, grandparents and parishioners need to do all they can to encourage and support these young men. My special intention for prayers in this year of St. Paul, is for more priestly vocations from and for our Diocese. I hope you join me in this prayer intention. I want to again thank Fr. Don for his gracious welcome and for the pastoral ministry he gives not only to the people of Charter Oak, but also to those in Ute and Dow City. Thesesa Toft, a parishioner of St. Boniface, did a tremendous amount of work and research on the history of the parish for our Diocesan archives. It makes for fascinating reading. Thank you Theresa for your efforts!
YEAR OF ST. PAUL
Speaking of my prayer intentions for the year of Saint Paul, you will see in today’s Catholic Globe the decree issued by Cardinal Francis Stafford pertaining to the special indulgences granted to the faithful this year. You will also find my own decree for our Diocese. I encourage our priests to have special celebrations to honor St. Paul throughout the year, especially on feasts relating to him: November 18, 2008, the memorial of The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome; January 25, 2009 the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul; June 11, 2009, the memorial of Saint Barnabas and of course, June 29, 2009 the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the end of the Pauline Year.
I have designated four locations of special pilgrimage for our Diocese: the Cathedral of the Epiphany and Trinity Heights here in Sioux City; St. Paul Parish in Scranton and Sts. Peter and Paul in West Bend.
Recently I was given an image of Saint Paul by the Father John Santos of the Oblates of the Twin Hearts. This image is from the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. This image will be on display at the various pilgrimages sites in our Diocese throughout the year. A prayer that may be recited each day, asking for the intercession of Saint Paul is found on our website.
May God continue to bless and keep all of you. I continue to count on your prayers for me and promise my prayers for you. May the Lord give you peace.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City