Final Scripture thoughts from Msgr. Ziegmann

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 26, 2003

After writing close to 1,600 columns, weekly Globe columnist Msgr. L.M. Ziegmann is retiring from his 32-year stint with the diocesan newspaper.

With his retirement from active ministry in the diocese set for July 15, his final column appears in this week's edition. Father Paul McKane, pastor at the parishes in Hartley, Primghar, Sanborn and Sutherland, has agreed to assume the task of writing the Scripture reflection. His first column will appear in the July 10 issue of The Globe.

While Msgr. Ziegmann pointed out that he never saw writing the column as a burden, he no longer wants to be tied down.

"I always found the column easy to do," he noted. "My column was just preaching. It was really preparation for daily Mass."

The monsignor acknowledged that at times some of this preparation came months in advance. For example, he generally wrote the columns for all of Lent on Jan. 1 and 2 due to winter vacation.

Writing the column for so many years brought a bit of notoriety to the priest.

"No matter where I go, somebody refers to the column," he said.

One of the most frequent comments he received through the years was that after reading the column for a week or two, they soon would start looking up the readings in the Bible. As a result of the column, many people began reading the Bible where they never had before.

People have also mentioned that after reading the column, they begin to ask what kind of action God is asking them to do. In his reflections, the priest tries to present ways that people can be more Christ-like in their behavior.

"The Bible is not a book to be read, but to be lived and that is what I geared the column to," he stressed. It was not uncommon for him to suggest ways that people could be more forgiving and caring of others. "Sometimes I was writing, making suggestions for my own behavior and lifestyle. These were things I needed to do, so maybe someone else needed it, too."

Msgr. Ziegmann pointed out if people can't go to Mass, people have the opportunity to read the same Scripture lessons as the rest of the church. This could be especially beneficial to the homebound.

He recalled how it all started. A woman had requested that The Globe list the daily Mass readings for Lent because she could not go to Mass.

"I suggested this to Lou Heifner, who was the associate editor at the time and he suggested that I write a little something for each reading. So we did this for Lent in '72," explained Msgr. Ziegmann.

Msgr. Walker was editor at the time. He happened to be out-of-town when the decision was made.

"After Lent, we got several letters. Why not continue? The response was positive and immediate," noted Msgr. Ziegmann, who added that he had been an avid Scripture reader long before the column began.

While the column has been in the same format since its inception - based on Scripture readings used for daily Mass - he believes it did evolve.

"When I rarely look at old columns, I am pleasantly surprised at some of the things I find," he acknowledged.

His life and pastoral experiences have contributed to the column.

"One might wonder what I read before I begin a column. The answer is A) nothing and B) everything. For example, I read a number of priest-type magazines and Scripture magazines," said Msgr. Ziegmann.

He admitted that one of the best things about writing the column was the "pat on the back" he received from the laity, clergy, nuns - the young and old. Priests have told him that when they visit parishioners, they frequently see his column cut out of the paper, hanging on the refrigerator or sticking out of a Bible where it is read before meals. Catechists have said they pick a day and read it at the start of class. Numerous others across the country read it on the Web.

Msgr. Ziegmann said he will miss the challenge of writing the column because while it was a time commitment, it was fun and enjoyable.

Through the years, he has served as a pastor of eight parishes, taught high school and was a principal. He was also the diocesan catechetical director, chancellor and defender of the bond on the marriage tribunal, served as part-time prison chaplain in Rockwell City and was a hospital chaplain. Msgr. Ziegmann wrote the second and third editions of Life in Christ and wrote Bible study guides, for private use, of seven books of the Bible. He even took a one-year sabbatical to go back to school in 1969 to study pastoral theology at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, when it wasn't a common trend.

"About the only job I really haven't had was working at our two shrine-like facilities - the Grotto West Bend or Trinity Heights. I will be going to Trinity Heights to complete the wide variety of experiences I have enjoyed," he noted. In recent years he has served as chaplain to the Trinity Heights Board of Directors. He will now serve as Trinity Heights spiritual director during good weather months. He views this as an opportunity for part-time work and lots of time for prayer.

His parish, Sacred Heart in Laurens, is hosting a retirement party for him from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 13. Present and former parishioners as well as readers of the column are welcome to attend.

The Globe extends a big thank you to him for his years of service.