Remsen parish welcomes Luxembourg archbishop

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 23, 2007

REMSEN - The last time a bishop from Luxembourg visited St. Mary Church in Remsen was more than 100 years ago when European immigrants were still arriving in the parish.

St. Mary's was one stop on Archbishop Fernand Franck's seven-day pastoral visit to the United States. The archbishop explained that he made the trip this year to bless the cornerstone at the Luxembourg Center in Belgium, Wisc.

"Then they established a program for me to visit different localities where descendents from Luxembourg are living," said Archbishop Franck. "One of the very important ones is this one."

While this was his first trip to Remsen, the first of many trips to this country came in 1976 for the nation's bicentennial. He said he was impressed by the richness of the land and the quality of the liturgies at parishes in this region.

"I wish that descendents of Luxembourg continue to maintain their love for the homeland of their ancestors," said Archbishop Franck. "They should commit themselves 100 percent in the building up of the church and the community here in the United States."

Archbishop Franck presided at the liturgy on Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which was concelebrated by Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Father Bill McCarthy, pastor of St. Mary's; Msgr. Nicholas Ruba, Father Michael Erpelding, Father Richard Frank, and Father Jean Ehert, a priest of Luxembourg traveling with the archbishop.

In his opening comments, Bishop Nickless extended a warm welcome to Archbishop Franck and said, "On behalf of the priests, deacons and the faithful of our diocese, we ask God's blessings on your travels and especially today we ask Mary's intercession for your ministries as bishop."

He noted that he has only been in Iowa about 18 months, but was certain that the people of Iowa are wonderful - very hospitable and holy.

"When you return to Luxembourg, know that our prayers and good wishes go with you," said the bishop of Sioux City. "May you have only good memories of your visit to Northwest Iowa."

Archbishop Franck pointed out that August was a prime month for vacations and a chance to spend quality time with family and friends. That made it a fitting time to celebrate the Assumption of Mary.

"Mary shows us the glory we are called to participate in," he said. "We don't need to think of her as someone far away."

He referred to the image of Mary, the Lady of Luxembourg, known as the Consoler of the Afflicted. The statue holds a place of prominence at the front left side of church.

The archbishop explained the history of the image, noting that its popularity took hold in the 1600s. In 1678, Our Lady of Luxembourg was chosen the patroness of the country.

"In times of oppression, misery and pain, she was like a star shining in the night," said Archbishop Franck, who added that he was "most happy to find the statue of Our Lady here in your wonderful church."

He reminded the people that Mary was not a person who stood on the sideline. She stood at the foot of the cross.

"Our Lady reflects the goodness and love of God," said the archbishop, who called her a model of the church and an example of unselfishness.

In honor of Archbishop Franck's ministry, the congregation sang an ancient devotional hymn, Mamm Lei'f Mamm, in the native language of Letzebuergesch. It was the Communion meditation.

An outdoor reception followed Mass.

An estimated 350 people attended the Mass, said Rick Roder, organizer of the event. Those attending were from Remsen and surrounding communities of Granville, Le Mars, Struble, Hospers and Marcus. Many belong to a Luxembourg Heritage Society.

Roder serves on the national board for the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, which arranged the Archbishop Franck's pastoral visit.

"When the archbishop walked in the back door and saw we had the statue, he really lit up. Our Lady of Luxembourg is in all of the churches of Luxembourg and there are only 16 in the United States," he said. "She came here on May 2, 1939."

In the early 1900s, Roder said about 90 percent of Luxembourg was Catholic. Today, that country has many immigrants but remains predominantly Catholic.

Father Bill McCarthy said it was beautiful to see the people "encounter their traditions based on the Catholic faith and the devotions that were held by their ancestors."

Hubie Nothem, 94, said he is 100 percent Luxembourg. His grandfather who helped to build the first St. Mary Church was an immigrant from Luxembourg as was his other grandfather and great grandparents.

"The Mass was wonderful," said Nothem, who described himself as a "purebred."

Martin Schreiner of Struble attended the liturgy because of his Luxembourg heritage.

Schreiner speaks Letzebuergesch and said when he was 5 years old that was the only language he could speak. A year ago he went to Luxembourg with his wife, Marie, and visited with about 60 relatives, meeting many first cousins for the first time.

Cheryl Paulsen's husband was among the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who provided an honor guard for the ceremony.

A native of Remsen who now resides in Granville, Paulsen noted, "Like the bishop said the people are all so holy and hospitable in this part of the country. It's nice to come back here for this occasion."