Bishop Nickless ordains two men to priesthood

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 28, 2007

At the ordination Mass of Andrew-Bao Vo and Brent Lingle on June 16 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, Bishop R. Walker Nickless told the men that they should always rely on Christ to give them courage, leadership and faith.

"Today we gather to celebrate the ordination to the presbyterate of our friends and brothers, Brent and Andrew. They will fulfill their Christian vocation in the ministry of priestly service in our diocese. The Lord calls us all to serve, and strengthens us for ministry," said the bishop in opening comments.

Following the Liturgy of the Word that featured Isaiah 61, 1-3 as the first reading; 1 Peter 5, 1-4 as the second reading; and John 21: 15-17 as the Gospel, the two candidates for the priesthood were called forward by Deacon Richard Billings. Father Brian Hughes, vocations director of the diocese, presented the men for ordination. He testified that they were found worthy for ordination.

After Bishop Nickless stated that they were accepted for ordination, the congregation responded with a round of applause. The bishop then offered the homily.

"Today in churches throughout the world, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We come to this ordination today, surrounded by the signs of the loving heart of Jesus and the maternal love of his mother Mary," he said.

The bishop said that his prayer was for this love to surround the two who were soon to be ordained.

After years of discernment, study, formation and prayer, Bishop Nickless said, "here they are, rejoicing in God's choice in them."

He stressed the fact that the diocese, too, was rejoicing in God's gift of two new priests.

"As you know, this is my first priestly ordination as a bishop," said Bishop Nickless. "The privilege that I have as bishop to lay my hands on these two men - to call down the Holy Spirit upon them in the ordination for the first time will be something that I will never forget. My heart rejoices and overflows with gratitude of God for his great work upon us."

He reminded the people that these two men have been called to holiness and they will continue to grow in holiness as they minister to God's people.

The reading from Peter, noted the bishop, centers on the qualities and virtues that all people should have, but also points out virtues specific to priests - a strong prayer life, love of the church and appreciation for the people they serve.

"The Gospel of St. John focuses our attention on the denial of St. Peter and the Lord's forgiveness of him," said Bishop Nickless. "Andrew and Brent, you already know your weaknesses, you are aware of your unworthiness to be instruments of God. You, like all of us in ministry, will make mistakes, you will sin, thus denying the Lord and hurting the Body of Christ."

When moments of weakness come, he told them to let Christ come to them as he did to Peter.

"Let Christ draw out of you courage, leadership and faith," said the bishop. "The Lord is aware of your weaknesses and yet he still calls you to be priests, he and the church need you and your God-given strengths. Find your strength always in the forgiveness of the Lord."

Reflecting on the pope's exhortation on the Eucharist, the sacrament of charity, the bishop reminded the men that there was nothing more important than celebrating the mystery of the faith in the Eucharist when Christ himself is present.

"The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. It is all that we believe as Catholics," said the bishop.

As they were raised to the Order of the Priesthood, the bishop told Andrew and Brent that they would soon exercise the sacred duty of teaching in the name of Christ.

"Impart to everyone the word of God which you have received with joy. Meditating on the law of the Lord, see that you believe what you read, that you teach what you believe and that you practice what you teach," said Bishop Nickless.

After the Promise of the Elect, the men prostrated before the altar as the congregation knelt and sang the litany of saints. Next the bishop laid his hands in prayer on the priestly candidates, as did priests who were present.

"Renew within them the spirit of holiness. As co-workers with the order of bishops, may they be faithful to the ministry that they receive from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct," said Bishop Nickless. "May they be worthy co-workers with our order, so that by preaching and through the grace of the Holy Spirit the words of the Gospel may bear fruit in human hearts and reach even to the ends of the earth."

Once the men were vested in stole and chasuble, they knelt before the bishop and he anointed their palms with Chrism. The newly ordained priests' parents presented offertory gifts. The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed the sign of peace.

As the liturgy drew to a close, the bishop thanked the families for the gift of their sons, he also thanked those involved in planning and participation in the ordination as well as priests involved in the formation of the two new priests. He thanked Father Hughes for his years of service in the vocations office and then introduced Father Brad Pelzel, who will become the diocese's new vocation director in mid-July.

After his comments, the bishop knelt before the new priests for a blessing.

A reception followed in the parish hall.

The new priests' families were moved by the liturgy.

Janet Lingle, the mother of Father Lingle, found the most striking part of the service when her son blessed the bishop.

"I am very happy for him and very supportive," she said. "I can't thank everyone enough for everything they have done for Brent and my family."

Father Lingle's 21-year-old brother, Keith, found the bishop's homily to be very poignant.

Keith believes that his brother will make a good priest "because he is very organized, well-spoken, well-educated and he has always been a good people person. He's a stickler for the rules."

He added that the entire family is proud of him.

Father Vo's dad, But V. Vo, said the ceremony was very nice. He found the vesting portion of the service to be very inspiring.

He thanked everyone for their kindness in supporting his son.

When asked why she felt her son would make a good priest, Father Vo's mother said she has given all that up to God.

Devon Quy Vo, the brother of Father Vo, said the liturgy was beautiful - especially to see all of the priests together.

"You could feel God's presence," he said. "I am very happy for him."

He referred to the fact that his brother had studied in Vietnam and then had to start all over because of the language barrier.

"He has been going to school for years - I wouldn't be able to go for that long," said Devon. "With God's will and help, he will be fine."

Father Lingle will serve as the parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Spencer and will assist with Hispanic ministry in that area. Father Vo will serve as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception and Nativity Parishes in Sioux City.