Sacraments, family and prayerful gatherings fill bishop's time and episcopal ministry

October 5, 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you can see in this week's issue of the Globe, I had a splendid visit to the city of Rome these past days. All of you were remembered in my prayers during this wonderful pilgrimage. I am so honored to be your bishop and to represent you to my brother bishops and the Holy Father himself. It was a trip I will never forget. But it is great to be back home.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

I barely had a chance to catch my breath before I leave again to celebrate my nephew's wedding in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. I look forward to spending some time with my family. Celebrating a wedding keeps me involved in priestly ministry, which I love so very much. During this Respect Life Month I am holding in prayer all the families in our diocese. Marriage and family life are constantly under attack in our society. Let us all do whatever we can to pray for, encourage and support marriage and family life.

RELIGIOUS WOMEN

On this past Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting and praying with the religious sisters of our diocese. After praying Morning Prayer together, I shared a little about myself and my background and asked them to tell me about them and their Religious Communities. We met at St. Mary's Parish in Storm Lake and I want to thank Sister Rosalie for helping to organize our meeting. I shared with these dedicated women my gratitude for the sisters who taught me in Catholic Schools back in Denver. In many ways, I owe my vocation in part to the Sisters of the Precious Blood who taught me at Cure d' Ars grade school and the Sisters of Loretto at Bishop Machebeuf High School.

The religious sisters who now serve our diocese do so in a variety of ways-parish support, religious education, care of the elderly, and higher education at Briar Cliff University. I wish we had more sisters to serve, but I am so grateful for the ones we have.

I shared with them some reflections on the consecrated life and the new evangelization. As consecrated women, they are signs of the presence of the Lord in our midst. Jesus, the chaste, poor and obedient one is witnessed to by their lives and ministry.

I asked for their input and suggestions. We discussed many of the issues facing us in our diocese: the growing Hispanic presence, religious education, population shifts, and new forms of parish ministry. The time we spent together was very valuable to me and I appreciate their open and candid discussion. Let us all continue to pray for these good women and encourage others to join them in their special vocation.

PARISH VISITS AND CONFIRMATIONS

After my time at St. Mary's, I headed south for a long drive to St Malachy's parish in Madrid. Father Brian Danner invited me early on to make a pastoral visit to his growing parish. We had a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist and a reception following. I even met a few Bronco fans as well! The people gave me a warm welcome and I felt right at home.

The next morning I celebrated the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confirmation at two parishes: St. John's in Ogden with Father Danner and Father Jim Fangman concelebrating and Sacred Heart Parish in Boone with Father Steve Broderson. In each parish I was again impressed with our young people, anxious to receive this Sacrament of the Church. Many now know my style at Confirmation celebrations. I always call up a few students to question and help me explain the meaning of the Sacrament. I am always surprised by the answers and impressed with their knowledge. I always mention priestly vocations at these Confirmation Masses and pray that many young men will at least begin to consider that God might be calling them to this wonderful vocation. I encourage all of us to continue to pray for our youth. Living the Catholic faith and witnessing to the Lord Jesus is difficult for all of us, but our youth especially need our prayerful support. I hope that their love of the Lord and His Church can become more and more important to them. We need their joyful witness to encourage us all.

I also want to thank the Knights of Columbus for their presence at the Confirmation Masses. These men love the Church and do so much for us. Thank you Knights for your generous service.

Once again, let me thank all of you for your prayers and support as your bishop. The first anniversary of my appointment will be upon us soon. My ministry among you has certainly changed my life and I am humbled by the example of your faith and love. May God bless us all.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Diocese of Sioux City