Let us rest and be renewed

August 27, 2006

My dear family in Christ,

It hardly seems possible that six months has passed since I was ordained your bishop. So much has happened in these few months to confirm my original thoughts that the Diocese of Sioux City in the state of Iowa is a great place to be - truly a blessing to me.

As many of us enjoy summer vacation and travel, we give thanks to God for the time He gives us for rest and relaxation. We saw in our Gospel reading from this past Sunday, where Jesus invites his disciples to get away to a place of rest. Hopefully all of us can find a time and place to be apart, be refreshed and renewed and consider the great gifts God has given us. As I prepare to leave on a two-week vacation, know that all of you are in my prayers.

I am so grateful for those of you who have taken time to share your thoughts on the new look of our Catholic newspaper, The Globe. I've heard many compliments and want to again express my thanks to Renee Webb, Marilyn Baker, Jennifer Cooke, Katie LeFebvre and Joann Ammann, and many others who worked so hard to bring about the changes we see. We will continue to do more and welcome your comments. Soon we promise an update to our Web page. Even though I do not understand the ins and outs of computer technology, I know that this too is an important means of communication. Once again, your suggestions are appreciated.

These past few weeks have been exciting to me. I had the chance to visit the Lake Okoboji region of our diocese and be at a gathering of our priests for Bishop Dennis Schnurr. Bishop Schnurr is a native son of our diocese and now the Bishop of Duluth, Minn. There has been a tradition started by Father John Vakulskas, Pastor of St. Mary Church in Alton, to gather our priests each summer to share in fellowship and renew priestly fraternity.

On Tuesday, I drove the two hour plus drive along the famous Highway 20 to Fort Dodge. I was present at two meetings for all the parishioners of the Webster County parishes. Large numbers of people gathered to be with me, Fr. Ed Girres, Fr. Lynn Bruch, John Perkins, Jen Leiting, Jim Augustine, Sr. Margaret and the newly assigned Fr. Tim Johnson. Fr. Brad Pelzel was on a family vacation. I want to congratulate the Webster County Team for all the work they have done over several years to bring about a plan to better serve the pastoral needs of this part of our diocese. Soon eight parish communities will be joined into one Parish (with a new name to be recommended by parish participation), one Parish Council and one Finance Council.

The eight churches will remain as places of worship for as long as we can support them with personnel, both clergy and lay. This area of the diocese lends itself to this kind of shared ministry and our hope and prayer is that this new approach will serve the needs of both the parishioners and parish staff well. I was excited to see the enthusiasm and support of so many parishioners. The Catholic faith is alive and well in Webster County.

During the question period, one question was addressed to me that is very important. "Will we be assured of having enough priests to serve us?" My answer was "Of course, as long as you give us your sons to enter the seminary!" This was my attempt to mention the ongoing need we all have to continue to pray for an increase of priestly vocations. I have spent some time this summer with some of our seminarians. They are good and holy men. We need more to join their ranks. Please continue to pray for vocations to the consecrated life, to the diaconate, but especially to the priesthood. I know the Lord will provide if we pray and if those called, answer the call of the Lord.

This week I will preside at the funeral of one of our beloved priests, Father Elmer Thom. We give thanks to God for his dedicated priestly service. Although I have only had the chance to know him for a short time, I sensed his gentle and strong love of his priesthood. May he rest in peace.

Finally, these last few days I had the joy of showing my dad and two of my sisters around Sioux City. Their vacation brought them here from Denver and they thoroughly enjoyed it - even the humidity! Sioux City became a place of rest and relaxation for them. May you all find a time to rest and relax this summer. Fall and the flurry of new and renewed activities will soon be upon us. Let us rest and be refreshed as we begin again.

As often as I can, I'd like to use these letters of mine to talk about the good things in our diocese. Please feel free to offer suggestions on what you would like to hear about.

Until next time, please remember me in your prayers and I promise mine for you.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City