Busy schedule with ordination, summer programs and upcoming meeting with brother bishops

June 14, 2004

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Warm weather and summer travel bring welcome change into most of our lives. My prayer is that all of us be refreshed and renewed in these warm and sunny days. May God bless you and your families with peace and joy this beautiful season of the year.

ORDINATION

I look forward with great anticipation to this Saturday's ordination Mass for two of our seminarians, Andrew Bao-Vo and Brent Lingle. These men, our brothers, have spent over eight years preparing to become priests of Jesus Christ. They have spent the last four years at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. I express my gratitude to Father Michael O'Keefe, OSB, rector of the seminary and all his staff for the fine formation they have received. I am confident that Brent and Andrew are prepared well for their priestly ministry here in the Diocese of Sioux City.

As a relatively new bishop, the ordination of these two men as priests will be my first occasion to administer priesthood ordination. I will probably be as nervous as they are as we enter the mystery of God's grace. I ask you to join me and these young men in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for their vocations. Their ordination reveals the vitality of the Church in the Diocese of Sioux City. Of course, there is both good news and bad news about this ordination. As a Bishop friend of mine reminded me, the good news is that we now have two new priests. The bad news is that we now have two less seminarians. The Church cannot survive without the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not possible without priests. Please continue to pray fervently for more priests to serve the Church. I am convinced that God continues to call your sons and grandsons, your brothers and friends (and maybe even you) to consider the seminary. Sometimes all it takes to spark a vocation is a prayer and a word of encouragement and support. Please, continue to pray for vocations!

I thank both Andrew's and Brent's families for the gift of their sons and brothers. Vocations come from holy families and there are many holy families in our diocese. Congratulations to Father Andrew and Father Brent. May God continue to bless the good work He has begun in you.

TOTUS TUUS

Last week I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days at Broomtree Retreat House in Irene, South Dakota. This was the site of training for the youth program called Totus Tuus (Latin for "Totally Yours"). This is the second year in a row that our Diocese is participating in this wonderful program for youth. Two teams of four college students on each team joined others in training for the summer long experience. Dedicated and enthusiastic college-age students from our Diocese joined others from the Diocese of Sioux Falls to prepare, to teach and lead our young people in the truth of our faith. This year's theme concentrates on the Sacraments and on the Sorrowful Mystery's of the rosary. Through a series of classes and fun activities, young people from first grade through high school in twelve of our parishes will have a chance to grow in knowledge and love of the truth of our Catholic faith. I was very impressed with the faith and holiness of the young people who spend their summer sharing faith with others. Thanks to Mark Thomason, our Director of Evangelization who coordinates this program and to the pastors and parish staff who welcome the program to their parishes. I know it will be a fun learning and faith-filled experience for all who participate.

I also want to thank Jessica LaFleur-Malm and all those involved in Camp Cayoca. I am so pleased that so many of our young people take advantage of the programs of faith offered to them. I appreciate parents who choose to enhance their children's faith life in programs like Totus Tuus and Camp Cayoca. They are being true to the promise they made when at the baptism of their child, they promised to "bring them up in the practice of faith."

BISHOPS' MEETING

Next week I will join my brother Bishops for our annual spring meeting. It will be held in New Mexico this year. This meeting will be less of a business meeting and more of a spiritual retreat. Please keep us in your prayers.

FATHER'S DAY

A blessed and happy Father's Day to all our dads. We thank you, living or dead for the gift of life. Fathers have the great privilege of modeling God the Father's love for us. May all fathers be given the grace and gentle strength to be strong in their special role in our families. Don't forget to wish your priests "Happy Father's Day" as well. They are called "Father" for a reason; thank them for the spiritual fatherhood they give to all of us.

Thank you for all the cards and best wishes for my birthday. May God continue to bless you all.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City