Retiring priest thanks God for his ministry

By JoANN AMMANN, Globe intern
June 8, 2006

SIOUX RAPIDS - After 50 years in the priesthood, Father John Cain is retiring this year. He is the only priest in the Diocese of Sioux City slated for retirement this year.

Father Cain was ordained in 1956 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, and has been a priest within the Sioux City Diocese for his time as a priest.

"I always thought that if I cared for people's souls I would have done a lot more by the end of my life than if I had stayed a farmer, which I also enjoyed very much," said Father Cain. "But I thought tending to people's souls was a more eternal direction for my life."

Father Cain, with St. Joseph Parish in Sioux Rapids since 1999, has spent his time at a variety of places throughout the diocese. Father Cain began his priesthood at St. Mary Parish in 1956, Corpus Christi Parish of Fort Dodge from 1956 - 1963, St. John Parish in Gilmore City from 1963-1969, St. Malachy Parish in Madrid from 1969-1980, chaplain of the Woodward State Hospital and School from 1969-1980, St Joseph Parish in Wesley from 1980-1986, was the director of Rural Life Conference in the Diocese of Sioux City from 1984-1994 and was also at St. Mary Parish in Dow City from 1986-1994. Father Cain retired in 1994 for five years and then returned to active ministry as the administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Sioux Rapids.

"I can never say which [place] was my favorite. Every place I worked was a joy. It seemed like God always sent me to a place where people were great," Cain said. "I enjoyed working with whoever I was with, I always enjoyed the people that were there. I never felt I had a favorite place during my priesthood."

Father Cain is looking for housing and will make other decisions about retirement later.

"Right now I'm looking for housing," said Father Cain. "Once I settle on a spot that's where I'll be. My present plan is to stay in the diocese, but I just have to find the right housing plans first."

To celebrate Father Cain's golden jubilee, there will be a celebration Mass held in his honor on Sunday, June 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Sioux Rapids. A dinner and open house will follow at the American Legion Community Building, also in Sioux Rapids.

"I thank God very much for my 50 years of priesthood, it was a wonderful opportunity to serve God's people. I'm grateful for every year to be a priest. My greatest joy of all is offering Mass for people."