Cardinal DiNardo visits diocese

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 27, 2008

Trumpets sounded, the chorus sang and the Knights of Columbus with swords drawn formed an honor guard as more than 125 clergy - bishops, priests and deacons - processed into Cathedral of the Epiphany on March 24 for the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo.

Rejoice, your voices raise.

These were fitting lyrics of the entrance song for the liturgy that marked the homecoming of the Sioux City Diocese's former bishop.

"Certainly, I am in a total mode of rejoicing, not only celebrating the Easter season, Easter Monday, but also what great joy to come back here to Sioux City," said the cardinal in opening comments. "It's good to come back to Sioux City and see so many of the faces of people here that I noticed walking down the aisle."

He extended gratitude to Bishop R. Walker Nickless for the invitation to return to the diocese and for use of his bishop's chair.

"To all of my brother priests who are here, how good to see you," Cardinal DiNardo said. "Four years have weared well - you look good."

Welcome home

In words of welcome, Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City, said, "Let me add your voice to the many who have already welcomed you home. Thank you for being with us, even for this brief time."

Referring to the large crowd, the bishop told Cardinal DiNardo that he could see many of the faithful came to pray with him and for him.

"As the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and as a cardinal of the church, I'm sure that you appreciate the prayers and support of people who care for you deeply," said Bishop Nickless. "I know they are valued and important to you."

About 700 people filled the cathedral.

He acknowledged the visiting principle concelebrants - Archbishop Jerome Hanus of Dubuque, Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss of Omaha, Bishop Bernard J. Harrington of Winona, Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, of Conception Abbey and Msgr. Stephen L. Orr, diocesan administrator of Des Moines. Four priests of the diocese were also principle concelebrants - Msgr. Roger Augustine, Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, Msgr. R. Mark Duchaine and Father Paul-Louis Arts. About 90 priests of the diocese concelebrated.

"This Easter season, Christians all over the world feel and celebrate the joy of the resurrection," said Bishop Nickless. "Your presence here today on Easter Monday is a blessing for us all. May God bless you with Easter peace and fill you with days of successful paschal ministry and service to the church."

Deacon Bob Lenz of Pomeroy served as the deacon of the Mass and proclaimed the Gospel reading, Matthew 28:8-15. About 30 other deacons vested for the ceremony.

The Risen Lord

Cardinal DiNardo centered his sermon on the Risen Lord.

"Today, Easter Monday, it is a great glory for me to declare with you and for you that Christ is risen here in this beautiful Epiphany Cathedral. It's the cathedral where I learned how to be a bishop," said the cardinal, who commented to Bishop Nickless that he was jealous of him for having such a beautiful cathedral.

He called the Cathedral a "marvelous space" for the faithful to understand the mystery of the Lord Jesus - the mystery of his resurrection and mystery of his death.

"For me, for six-and-one-half years, this was a place where I could indeed celebrate with great joy and vigor," Cardinal DiNardo said.

On his journey back to the diocese, he said he recalled many memories of his time here and once he landed at the airport, there were even more memories.

"It sure is windy here," he quipped. "The pilot came on and said, 'We are entering into Siouxland. There is a great wind there today.' I said to myself, 'So what else is new?'"

Along with humorous memories, the cardinal said he also recalled beautiful memories of the Cathedral, diocesan parishes, Catholic institutions and people - priests, deacons, religious and the faithful.

"Marvelous, marvelous memories that I would like to weave through my reflections today on God's word as given to us in the Gospel of Matthew and the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2," he said.

The cardinal asked parishioners what might have changed for Peter who had earlier denied knowing Jesus and by Pentecost eloquently proclaimed God's name. On Easter, he noted, the suffering Jesus made himself known to Peter and the apostles as Risen Lord.

It wasn't through theology classes but through personal experience that they became theologians.

Lessons learned

"One of the wonderful things I experienced in Sioux City was the eloquence of people who had encountered the Risen Lord in a wide variety of ways," Cardinal DiNardo said.

He mentioned that he still uses the example of a Sioux Rapids St. Joseph confirmation he did early in 1998 for 13 young people. The cardinal had asked one young man what it meant to be a confirmed, signed, sealed and delivered member of the church.

The young man responded that it was like on the farm. If he didn't do the work, they would fail and the family would perish. Likewise, if he didn't witness, he would fail the Catholic Church and cause others to perish.

"Now that's someone who has internalized the risen faith of Jesus and it was right here in the Sioux City Diocese," said Cardinal DiNardo, who added that the diocese taught him how to be a bishop. "I learned how to proclaim the Risen Jesus from you and that is why Sioux City has a great place in my heart and when Bishop Nickless asked if I would come, I was delighted to say yes."

He pointed out that for the people in the Bible, once they encountered the Risen Jesus they always received a job - go tell, go witness.

"We never keep the faith to ourselves," Cardinal DiNardo said.

He spoke of the diversity of the expression of the faith, but stressed its unity. The cardinal also mentioned that while he took the title and role of cardinal very seriously, he hopes he will never take himself too seriously because that would mean that he would have forgotten what was most important - that it was Jesus' church.

As his homily drew to a close, he said that he could honestly say that Sioux City is the best diocese in the United States; however, Houston is the best archdiocese.

Words of affirmation

He extended thanks to the priests of the diocese "whom I was privileged to lead and serve. You have a great group of priests here."

Speaking to Bishop Nickless, he said if the priests ever got tired and wanted a little break, Houston has open arms where the average parish has 4,000 families rather than 250 families. He didn't see any takers.

"But I do want you to know that I have that much trust in the priests of the Diocese of Sioux City," Cardinal DiNardo said.

Going away with a gift

As the Eucharistic celebration concluded, Bishop R. Walker Nickless presented Cardinal DiNardo with a gift from the diocese - a carved oak panel made in Germany. The 1915 carving features a scene of the adoration of the Magi from the Epiphany story.

"When you look upon this image, back in your new home of Galveston-Houston, please remember us and pray for us," said Bishop Nickless. "Thank you for your ministry among us. Know that you are welcome to return any day, any time."

With his own dose of humor, the bishop added that he couldn't promise a welcome quite as huge as this.

A public reception followed at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb.