St. Columbkille's in Varina celebrates 125 years

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 31, 2007

VARINA - Bishop R. Walker Nickless celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving to mark the 125th anniversary of St. Columbkille Parish. The liturgical celebration was held on May 27, Pentecost Sunday.

In opening comments, the bishop jokingly acknowledged that despite the fact that he couldn't find Varina on Mapquest, he was happy to be there to celebrate the parish's anniversary.

Bishop Nickless, in the homily, told the congregation that years ago Napoleon Bonaparte had boasted to a Vatican cardinal that he would destroy the Catholic Church. The cardinal quipped back, "Good luck with that - we priests have been attempting to do that for 18 centuries."

The bishop noted that some people think the bishops are still trying to destroy the church. He mentioned that the clergy sexual misconduct scandal was a terrible blow.

"As a priest and bishop, I often hear from the laity that priests and bishops who strive to tell the truth and preach the truth from the Gospel are meddling too much in things they shouldn't," said Bishop Nickless.

He noted that some people think bishops are trying to destroy the church when they talk too much about conscience, politics and Communion, sexual morality, immigration or the death penalty.

"And yet the church continues to survive," he stressed. "Over 2000 years later, the church is still here - strong and vibrant. A little beaten up, but still alive. St. Columbkille Parish began in 1882 and it, too, is still alive."

Bishop Nickless mentioned that there are been many changes over the years. The original buildings are gone, the priests and sisters who served there have come and gone - but the parish community is still in Varina.

"The Body of Christ is still alive and well. The memories are strong. And you, the faithful, are still living your faith," he said.

The bishop asked why the church and the parish community have lasted so long. The answer, he noted, was the Holy Spirit, whose feast was celebrated that day on Pentecost Sunday.

"The Holy Spirit is still a part of our lives. The Holy Spirit dwells within the church at all times - sometimes comfortably, sometimes uncomfortably, and try as we might by our own sinfulness and our own lack of faith, the church will not go away," said Bishop Nickless. "Precisely because the third person of the blessed trinity is on the job, around the clock."

Through the Holy Spirit, he noted, the Catholic Church is able to survive its many difficulties - both from within and without.

He reminded the people that while the church building at Varina may not last forever, "the body of believers, the spiritual temple" will remain because the Holy Spirit is alive in the people.

"Today we gather to give thanks to God for 125 years of life and faith that have been part of St. Columbkille Parish. The Holy Spirit has enabled you and those who have gone before you to do great things for the Lord and for each other," said Bishop Nickless, who noted that they gathered on Pentecost Sunday, a day that reminds people of the birth of the church.

As the people reflected on their 125 years as a parish, he mentioned that on Pentecost Sunday the church asked them to reflect upon the gift of the Holy Spirit, received in baptism and more fully realized through the sacrament of confirmation.

With the liturgy drawing to a close, Bishop Nickless announced that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, sent an apostolic blessing to Father Tom Hart, pastor; and the parishioners of St. Columbkille's on the occasion of the parish's 125th anniversary.

Father Hart offered some brief comments at the close of the Mass, extending gratitude to the bishop for celebrating Mass and giving thanks to the KCs for their honor guard and the many people who helped plan the celebration and prepare the church facility for the event.

He also led people in song as the congregation sang happy birthday to the bishop. Bishop Nickless' birthday was May 28.

"Not only is it Memorial Day tomorrow, but it is a memorial day because I turn 60," noted the bishop.

The congregation shared a meal in the parish hall following the liturgy. At the dinner, the bishop was presented a Denver Broncos cake.

Roseanne Wolf, who put together a parish history book for the milestone anniversary, mentioned that in doing so she learned a great deal about the church. In addition to using the 100th anniversary book as a basic guide, she did much investigation to discover new information.

"I started thinking about this project my senior year of college and I thought it would be fun to do," she said. Presently, Wolf is a graduate student at Iowa University.

Wolf, who worked in her college's Communications Office as a work study job, also gained practical experience when she worked on the yearbook as a student at St. Mary School in Storm Lake.

The book was sold at the parish dinner that followed the liturgical celebration.

Parishioner Carla Lindgren commented that the celebration gave the parishioners an opportunity to join efforts for a common goal.

"We are all family and it's not just our parish - it's a community family," she noted.

Tom Wells, a lifelong parishioner, also mentioned how the parish worked together to organize the celebration.

He mentioned that St. Columbkille's has been a great parish in which to raise his three children.

His wife, Lori, noted that the parish holds a special place in her heart because that is the place, which inspired her to join the Catholic Church.

"I think Bishop Nickless said it all when he said the buildings, structures change but the Holy Spirit is the anchor and as long as he dwells in people's hearts, the church will be here," she said. "It's not just people, it's people who have been called by the Holy Spirit to have a strong enough faith to carry on the faith."

Father Hart commended the parish and pointed out that the deep faith of parishioners "has led them to make a lot of improvements to the parish."

He was pleased with the strong turnout for the celebration.

Several priests - former pastors and those from neighboring parishes - attended the dinner.