Citywide Mass at Cathedral celebrates new pope

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 28, 2005

Prayers for the new vicar of Christ, the servant of the servants of God, were offered by about 250 people who gathered for the noon citywide Mass on April 22 celebrated at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

"We gather in thanksgiving to God for giving us a new Holy Father," said Msgr. Roger Augustine, administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City, who was the main celebrant for the Mass.

Seven priests - Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, Father Paul-Louis Arts, Father Hieu Nguyen, Father Craig Collison, Father Michael Erpelding, Msgr. Gerald Lyon and Father Elmer Thom concelebrated the Mass and Bishop Lawrence D. Soens, retired bishop of Sioux City, was present in the sanctuary.

In the homily, Msgr. Augustine said the diocese was grateful to celebrate this Mass for Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th pope and leader of the universal church.

"As Pope Benedict XVI said, 'I am nothing but a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.' As he appeared before a large number at St. Peter's Square after his election, he was grateful that he was chosen by the cardinals and as one of them said 'to carry on the work of Pope John Paul II.' But really, Benedict XVI, has been chosen to carry on the work of Jesus," said Msgr. Augustine.

The diocesan administrator mentioned that the new pope had said, "I entrust myself to your prayers."

With that comment in mind, Msgr. Augustine said there is little doubt that Benedict XVI realized the enormity of his task - supporting and guiding the worldwide, universal church.

As members of the church, he said everyone must partake in the work of Christ. Referring to the Gospel, he asked people to remember and follow the words of Christ, "I am the way, I am the truth and I am the life."

The work of Christ could be accomplished, he noted, by rejecting things that are counter to church teachings.

"We are ignorant in our faith if we don't seem to understand a relationship between the Scriptures, the teachings of God and the modern world," said Msgr. Augustine.

He asked for continued prayers for the Holy Father so that the vicar of Christ can unite all people in the world and lead them to Jesus.

Prayers for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI were included in the petitions.

After Mass several parishioners of the diocese expressed their thoughts about the new pope.

Jo Ellen Treinen, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church, said she was very pleased with the outcome of the papal election in part because she admires Pope Benedict XVI's holiness.

"I think he will carry on the traditions of Pope John Paul II as well as the traditions of his namesake, St. Benedict," she said. "I hope that high on his priority list is a new bishop for Sioux City."

She wanted to attend the Mass at Cathedral to show the unity of the church of Sioux City.

Duane Sudbeck, a parishioner at St. Michael, was also pleased with the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

"I love this pope," he said.

Since the new pope had worked closely with Pope John Paul II, Sudbeck said he believes there will be consistency in the transition.

Caroline Sands, a parishioner at St. Boniface, pointed out that she attended the Mass in celebration of the new pope in order to pray that the Holy Spirit will provide the new pontiff with guidance for good leadership of the church.

"I am hoping that this is a renewal for many who have left the fold," said Sands, whose husband Deacon Jim Sands, served as the deacon of the Mass.

Dolly King, a Catholic from Sioux City, said that it is imperative that people pray for the new pope in these very decisive times for the church.

"In his humility, he asked us to pray for him," she said. "The solemnity of the beauty of the church is always revealed at these times."