Bishops meeting: Time of business and prayer

Nov. 23, 2006

My dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

It has been a few weeks since I have had an opportunity to share some of my personal reflections with you. November has been an exceptionally busy month for me. Here are some short notes about the activities of your Bishop since I've last written.

BISHOPS MEETING

I'm just back from the East Coast and the meeting of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This year approximately 225 Bishops met in Baltimore, Maryland, the first Catholic diocese in the United States. Bishop John Carroll was the bishop of what now comprises 38 states. His Cathedral Church was the Basilica of the Assumption. On Sunday night we gathered to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its dedication. The Church has been completely restored and is absolutely stunning in its beauty. Cardinal Frances Stafford, a native of Baltimore, led us in celebrating the Eucharist. Cardinal Stafford, now in Rome, was the official representative of our Holy Father for the Anniversary celebration. Cardinal Stafford was also my former bishop in Denver. It was nice to be with him again.

In addition to the normal business meetings, we also spent some welcome time in reflection and in prayer. There were three major documents we considered: Married Love, and the Gift of Life; "Happy are Those who are called to His Supper," On Preparing To Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist and Ministry to Persons with A Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care. We also discussed Music in the Liturgy, The Advent Readings for Mass and the reorganizing of the Structure of the Conference of Bishops.

We have provided stories on all of these issues both in last week's and this week's editions of the Globe.

This was my third meeting and, as always, I am always impressed with the fraternity and fellowship of my fellow bishops. All of us have great responsibilities given to us by the Lord as we try to teach, sanctify and govern our diocese. It is comforting to know that my brother Bishops provide a strong support system for other Bishops, all of who have significant challenges facing them.

I always look forward to the afternoon set aside for Reflection and Prayer. This year Bishop Gregory Aymond from the Diocese of Austin, Texas, spoke to us as the Role of Bishops as a Prophetic Voice for Reconciliation. He shared his reflections on the challenges bishops face in trying to bring Gospel values to a world that is hostile to these values. A bishop has to be a man of compassion, truth and healing. Bishop Aymond stressed the need for deeper appreciation and emphasis on the Sacrament of Confession. As bishops we need to lead the way both for our priests and people to a better understanding of the need we all have for the graces of this Sacrament. I have already encouraged our priests to look for ways that this sacrament may be better used in our diocese. I have encouraged them them to look for convenient and consistent times for people to receive this Sacrament. Receiving absolution from a priest gives us all a special grace and helps us grow in holiness. Let us never underestimate the great value of this sacrament of Reconciliation.

As Bishops, we spent a Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and some of us had a chance to go to confession ourselves. I prayed for each of you in our Diocese and asked that God, our Father, continue to bless us and all we do to grow in holiness and love.

I know these meetings take me away from the diocese for some time, yet I receive so much from being together with my fellow bishops. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.

GIVING THANKS We have just celebrated the annual day set aside in our country for all of us to give thanks to God. I hope each of you had a chance to be with family and friends and were able to attend Mass and thank God for His many blessings. I was able to be with my family (all 40 of us, counting spouses, nieces and nephews etc!) It was our first Thanksgiving without my mother and we certainly thanked God for her and all the blessings she shared with us.

FINAL THOUGHTS

November 10, 2006 marked the first anniversary of my announcement of my appointment as the new Bishop of Sioux City. A year ago I had no idea of what to expect as a bishop in Iowa. This has been a wonderful year for me. I thank God for each of you. The priests, religious, deacons and laity of the diocese are special gifts to me. We have a great deal to accomplish in proclaiming and in living the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. I look forward to the tasks and challenges that lie before us. I give thanks to almighty God for you - you have changed my life and I am humbled and privileged to be called to be your Bishop.

May the Lord give you peace

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City