Peter's Pence: Carrying out works of charity

June 14, 2004

My dear friends in Christ,

June 29 is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. These two great missionaries are the patrons of the Church of Rome, and so also of the whole Roman Catholic Church throughout the world. Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, as successor of St. Peter, the first Pope, continues to lead the Church in the same mission our Savior gave to Peter: "Feed my sheep."

This mission is the mission of the whole Church. For centuries, pious faithful men and women have given to the Bishops of Rome their prayers and support in carrying out the works of charity and mercy throughout the world. Our own Diocese of Sioux City contributes as well, this year on the weekend of June 30 - July 1.

Peter's Pence is the primary source of aid that the Holy Father offers to the poorest victims of natural disasters, disease, and violence throughout the world. The Holy Father's theme for the Peter's Pence collection this year is "that none of God's children ever feel alone." We in this Diocese are blessed with so much wealth, especially in our families and communities. We should use this spiritual and material blessing to serve Christ in His Church and His vicar.

Let us pray this year for all those who feel abandoned by God, that they may be embraced by the followers of Christ with charity, hope, and faith. Let us make a generous offering of our material resources so that the Holy Father can lead feed all the lost sheep of Christ, especially those most poor and most vulnerable, most in need of Christ's love.

Praying that your faith may always grow in union with the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves each soul indescribably, I am

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City