6 August 2009

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I hope that the summer days continue to provide you with opportunities for rest and relaxation, vacation and time to enjoy the gift of life with your family and friends. As you know, I try and celebrate Mass each Sunday evening at the Cathedral. I am so pleased to see so many people attending even in the midst of the busy activities of summer. It shows me that the Eucharist has a special attraction for us and that the Bread of Life is something that we hunger for and know that we need. Even on vacation, we must make time to celebrate the Eucharist by attending Sunday Mass. There is never a “vacation” from our need for God. Thank you for being faithful to His love for you by giving Him some of your time on Sundays to celebrate that great gift of the Eucharist.

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH
I know that all of you continue to pray for Father Michael Erpelding and the people of Saint Joseph Parish in Sioux City. The fire that destroyed substantial parts of the roof and the subsequent water damage to the interior of the Church has left parishioners and others without their beloved Church to use for worship and prayer. This is truly a hardship for them. I express my deep gratefulness to Father Jim Bruch and the people of St. Boniface Parish for their hospitality and welcome.

I have met with the College of Consultors, the group of priests that advise me on major issues and with the parish directors, Father Erpelding and others to discuss a number of issues regarding the Church building. I count on the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit as we deal with the many decisions that will have to be made about St. Joseph Church and parish. Your continued prayers and support are sources of assurance and help to me.

TWO NEW ARCHBISHOPS
As you know, our Holy Father Benedict XVI has recently appointed two new Archbishops for our region. Archbishop Robert Carlson was installed as Archbishop of Saint Louis on June 10th and Archbishop George Lucas was installed Archbishop of Omaha on July 22nd. It was a privilege for me to attend both of these events and pass along the prayers and good wishes of our priests and faithful. These two archbishops are blessed with many talents and abilities and we are all grateful to our Holy Father for his wisdom in appointing them to these important sees. The Church provides us with a beautiful ceremony of welcome and installation. The pope’s representative is present as the official documents are proclaimed. The unity and apostolic leadership of the Church is expressed in prayer and praise as the Lord continues to lead and shepherd the Church in our World. Let us give thanks to God for our faith and the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church to which we are privileged to be a part of.

MEN’S PRAYER GROUP
Recently I had a chance to share dinner and fellowship with a group of men from the LeMars area. Father Kevin Richter, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in LeMars and several other men and young men and I prayed evening prayer together and then shared a meal. Every Saturday morning for several years, this men’s group has been meeting to pray and support one another in the faith. They strive to be good husbands, fathers, and sons and also grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith. It was a joy to be with them and see the goodness and fraternal support dedication and obvious love for the Church. I hope that many such groups can be established and supported in our diocese.

YEAR FOR PRIESTS
On August 4, I celebrated my 36th anniversary of priesthood ordination. Archbishop James Casey of Denver ordained me a priest on the feast of St. John Vianney. As you know, this year marks the 150th year since the death of this holy and humble priest who served the people of Ars, France.
My years in the priesthood have been blessed in countless ways. I give thanks to God everyday for the gift of my priestly ordination. Even though I am now called to serve and shepherd you in the extraordinary privilege of being your bishop, I still am a priest. The priesthood is both a gift and a mystery. No one is worthy to represent the very presence of Christ in administrating as we are, to the one priesthood of Jesus Christ. The Lord has called and chosen us to serve you in ministry as obedient, chaste, and prayerful men. We are called to live simply and to give our lives for you, the beloved people of God. It is a joy! I have never regretted my acceptance of the Lord’s call to be a priest. My brother priests join me in thanking you for all the support and encouragement you give us every day. Please continue to pray for us that we may grow in “holiness and spiritual perfection” as the Holy Father asks. As always, please pray every day for an increase of priestly vocations. Potential priests are all around us. May they be willing to say yes to the Lord because of our prayers and support in their discernment. These potential priests are your grandsons and sons, your brothers and friends. May the intercession of St. John Vianney bless our diocese with many more dedicated and holy priests.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and your families. Let us continue to pray for each other, that God’s will be done in all things. May our blessed Mother keep us all in her loving care. Thank you for reading this and please enjoy these beautiful summer days.

Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City