Parishioners of Diocese of Sioux City, extend best wishes in spiritual bouquet

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
October 9, 2003

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City have sent in spiritual bouquets to be sent to Pope John Paul II for his 25th anniversary.

The spiritual bouquets were sent into the Chancery Office and compiled by Msgr. Michael Sernett. They will be sent, along with a letter to the pope from Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, on Oct. 10 so that they arrive in time for the pope's anniversary on Oct. 16.

"Those that have sent in their responses, show a great love for our Holy Father," said Msgr. Sernett. "There are many prayers, Masses, communions, works of charity and all kinds of spiritual works being offered up for his behalf. It will be a substantial spiritual bouquet from the Diocese of Sioux City and the people of God here who love him."

Some of the grade school children throughout the diocese are making anniversary or congratulation cards for the Holy Father that will be included with the spiritual bouquets.

There are parishes that are offering Masses all month for his special intention. Other parishes are praying, volunteering and donating just to mention a few things.

"Our bond in Christ Jesus is the most powerful bond that we have," said Msgr. Sernett. "The relationship we have with one another is Christ's church today. This certainly has been tradition in our faith to spiritually nourish one another to prayer for one another. So by entering into this spiritual bouquet for our Holy Father, not only does it show our love for him, but certainly the spiritual support that's coming from the Diocese of Sioux City from all the various prayers and works of mercy that are being offered on his behalf."

Each parish went about collecting their spiritual bouquet in a different way. At Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, the liturgist created a card with a list of different options on it. A card was given to each family in the grade school and were available to the parish on the communion rails in the back of their church to pick up. Now they have been consolidated and sent in.

"I think it is good to remind us that our Holy Father is the spiritual leader of the church and that we do have connections, even here in Sioux City, to our Holy Father in Rome," said Father Merlin Schrad, pastor at Blessed Sacrament. "Also to remind ourselves that he has been a leader for a quarter of a century. I think time goes by so fast that we forget how many years he has actually directed our church and all the good work he's done. It reminds us of his frailty and health and that we need to help pray for him as he approaches the end of his term."

Father Paul McKane, the pastor of four parishes, Sacred Heart in Sutherland, St. Cecilia in Sanborn, St. Anthony in Primghar and St. Joseph in Hartley, also compiled a spiritual bouquet from each of his parishes.

They put out a form with seven different categories on it including attendance at Mass, communion, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, rosaries, visits to the sick, Stations of the Cross and any other charitable works. He commented that he asked them to be generous in how many things his parishioners would offer for the well being of the Holy Father.

"There is nothing that he needs from us materially, but he does need our prayers. I thought that people responded very well," said Father McKane. "He has given 25 years of great service as our pope. It's also a good reminder to our people that they are part of the larger church all over the world."

The Diocese of Sioux City is among several other dioceses that are sending the pope spiritual bouquets. They might also be coming from people all over the world.

"He is our spiritual father so a spiritual bouquet certainly is a gift to him that would be of great spiritual benefit, support and help in his difficulties in leading the church today as well as his own personal struggles with his health," said Msgr. Sernett.

I think that's important in Northwest Iowa. That they are not just a local parish but they are part of the church throughout the world. As we pray for the pope, it is a good reminder to them of the universal church. That's important here, it really is.