Vision, plans, hopes for Diocese

Nov. 8, 2007

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

SERRA CLUB

On Monday of last week, I once again had the opportunity to be with a group of men and women dedicated to their own growth in holiness and to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. This group is called the Serra Club. It is named after Franciscan Father Junipero Serra. (He founded many of the missions in California and Mexico.) We have two Serra Clubs in our diocese, one in Sioux City and one in Carroll. This past week the Serra members, priests, deacons and consecrated persons of the area gathered at Holy Spirit Church and celebrated Mass, followed by a dinner.

Father Brad Pelzel, our Vocations Director, and I thanked all those who work so hard to promote vocations. It is often lonely and difficult work. I am convinced that God is calling forth many religious vocations from among our youth. Unfortunately, many choose not to listen or respond to God's call. All of us, but especially parents, need to encourage the young (and not so young) to answer the call of God in their lives. Priests and religious are not "born". They come from your families. (Maybe even yours!) We need many more priests to serve in our diocese. We welcome more religious men and women to serve as well. Please pray for and encourage vocations. Thank you to all the dedicated men and women of Serra.

PRESBYTERATE MEETING

The name of this meeting does not refer to a meeting of our brother and sister Presbyterians. "Presbyterate" is the title given to the priests of a diocese. It is my goal to have regular presbyterate meetings with our priests and deacons. These meetings give us a chance to share and discuss the important issues in our diocesan church.

We gathered at St. Mary's Parish in Sac City and were provided with wonderful hospitality from Father Larry McCarty and his staff. The day began with a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Taylor from Siouxland Community Health Center and Mercy Medical Center. He gave us a presentation on NaProTechnology, one of the four commonly used methods of Natural Family Planning. Several months ago, my staff and I met with couples and individuals who practice, teach and live Natural Family Planning. These dedicated individuals do all they can to promote the church's teaching against contraception and for openness to God's plan in family life. We asked the group, what are some of your greatest needs? They responded, "Tell the priests about us and NFP and ask them to preach and talk about it."

Dr. Taylor gave a wonderful presentation and shared stories from his own personal life about the struggles he has had in trying to be pro-life and anti-contraception. His teaching and witness were well received by our priests and deacons.

VISION FOR OUR DIOCESE

After Dr. Taylor's presentation, I had a chance to share some of my thoughts about the diocese. I have been working for some time preparing a short pastoral letter detailing my vision, plans and hopes for our diocese. I hope to publish this letter before my two-year anniversary as your bishop in January.

I have spent many months traveling throughout the diocese and listening to our clergy and laity. I continue to ask my diocesan staff to help me evaluate and respond to the many needs of our church family here in northwestern Iowa. I shared five basic points with the priests and deacons that I think are important for all of us. It is my hope that these become reference points for what we do together in the years ahead.

These reference points are the following:

1. To renew our reverence, love, adoration, and devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament, within and outside of Mass. This necessarily entails the ongoing implementation of the Second Vatican Council's reform of the Liturgy, following the authority and guidance of the Magisterium.

2. To deepen our intimacy with Jesus Christ, through better catechesis at every level, beginning with adults. If we don't know our faith, how can we live it and proclaim it effectively?

3. To foster more faithful Catholic families. The family is, as the Council repeated, "the domestic Church." If our families lack strong Catholic identity, then we each will lack that identity, and we all will suffer from weak faith and commitment. As our families live, so live our faith, our country, and our world.

4. To foster many vocations to Holy Orders and to consecrated life.

5. To renew the evangelical, missionary character of the Church.

In my pastoral letter, I hope to develop them more freely. I share them with you and welcome any comments or feedback you may have.

BISHOPS MEETING

Next week I will join my brother bishops for our Fall meeting in Baltimore. We have, as usual, a busy agenda for all four days.

We will elect new officers and chairmen of various committees and discuss and approve many documents. Some of the issues will deal with are the following:

Stewardship and Teenagers; Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship: A call to Political Responsibility; Weekday Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word; Budget and Finance; Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum and Publications Design, Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Material for Young People of High School Age; the document, "Sing to the Lord: Music in Worship", Sunday and Weekday Readings for Lent. This is just some of what we will discuss. Pray for us! We will celebrate Mass every day, and also have a Holy Hour and celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.

I will be joined at this meeting by our own Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Monsignor R. Mark Duchaine. He has been chosen "priest observer" from our region of Bishops. He has already told me he is overwhelmed by the amount of preparation we have to do for our meeting. It will be good to have him with me and I am sure he will share his observations with all of us.

These November days give us all a chance to remember and reflect in thanksgiving for all God's wonderful blessings. You continue to be blessings in my life. Thank you for your loving support and most especially your prayers.

May God give you peace.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City