Parishioners invited to celebrate with bikers
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted May 30, 2002

Festivities are planned to kick off and close the Pilgrimage on Wheels, the weeklong bicycle ride through northwest Iowa to celebrate the Diocese of Sioux City's 100th anniversary.

According to the Pat Rinker, a member of the centennial planning committee, Bishop Lawrence D. Soens will preside at 5:30 p.m. Mass on June 8 at St. Mary's Church in Storm Lake. Bikers will then be treated to dinner.

The parish will host entertainment, featuring the music of Sound Way Mobile Music. This opening celebration is open to the public as is the closing.

"The bikers will have the opportunity to take part in evening prayer that will be held each day of the pilgrimage," said Rinker. He pointed that Michael Willis, director of the Office of Worship, is preparing the short prayer service. At each overnight, the parish will offer morning Mass.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City will host the June 15 celebration that marks the conclusion of the bicycle pilgrimage. The public is invited to attend the festivities that run from 5 to 9 p.m.

"This is held the day before the Centennial Mass, so some people may want to come to Sioux City the night before and take part in the celebration at Briar Cliff," Rinker said.

Those who attend the June 15 bash at BC, may wish to take a tour of Trinity Heights prior to the Centennial Mass.

Food booths, featuring selections from Aramark Food Service of BCU and homemade Mexican food by the Hispanic Youth Group from Cathedral, will open at 5 p.m.

Entertainment by various musical acts from Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City will begin at 6 p.m. The first hour of music will be spun by D. J. Joe at 6:30 p.m. Father David Hemann, pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove, will play his original contemporary Christian music from 7:30 to 8 p.m., followed by a final hour of tunes by D.J. Joe. The D.J. will play a wide range of music from 50s, 60s on up.

This celebration, which will be held in the pavilion area of BCU campus weather permitting, is expected to be a high-energy event for the whole family. There is no cost, other than purchasing items from the food booths.

During the pilgrimage, parishes have planned assorted activities. For instance, Tonic Solfa will be the featured act at the Grotto of the Redemption.

People who would like to attend the June 16 Centennial Mass at the Sioux City Convention Center should call Michelle Stevenson at (712) 233-7530 to reserve a ticket or e-mail her at michelles@scdiocese.org. There is no cost to attend the celebration, tickets are used to ensure adequate seating. Persons may also wish to order lunch for $6 per person. Reservations must be made by June 7.