Sioux City priests concelebrate Mass with pope

By KARA KOCZUR, Globe staff reporter
April 24, 2008

They weren't going to be late for this Mass. Fathers Andrew - Bao Vo and Brent Lingle were in their pew ready to go by 7 a.m., a good two hours before Mass began with the pope.

"It was a long time sitting and waiting, but it was worth it," said Father Lingle, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer.

The two Diocese of Sioux City priests joined 3,000 other priests, deacons and religious for Mass with Pope Benedict XVI April 19 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The priests had the privilege of concelebrating the Mass with the Holy Father.

Arriving well before the 9:15 a.m. Mass, the priests positioned themselves on the aisle, which got them very close to the pope.

"When he processed in he was within 5 feet of us," Father Lingle said. "We had a great view of him."

Although it wasn't the first time both priests had seen the pope, it didn't diminish their experience.

"I was excited," said Father Vo, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish in Sioux City. "At that moment when I saw him, my heart filled with joy and peace."

The fact that Pope Benedict made it a priority to meet with priests and religious despite his busy schedule and being 81 years old was great, Father Lingle said.

"You could tell by his expressions and just his overall demeanor was that [Benedict] was happy to be there," he added. "It wasn't something that he was just getting through, but was something that was enjoyable for him."

The pope gave the clergy and religious reason to hope after making note of the "dark days" of the church, as Father Lingle called them.

"He made it real clear that he wanted to make sure that we knew as priests and religious that he was close to us and that we were in his prayers, and that he knew that this wasn't an easy time to be a priest or religious in this country," Father Lingle said. "He appreciated that fact and wanted to encourage us and support us in our time as well."

Father Vo, who kept his programs and tickets from the weekend, took from the pope's message that people must strive to live out the faith in all they do.

"We're called to live our faith more fully in our daily lives," he said. "The Lord invites us to spend time with him, so we pray that we might grow deeper an understanding of the mystery of Christ's love."

As a new priest and a young priest, Father Lingle said the most moving part of the entire experience for him was during the Eucharistic prayer, praying the words of consecration with the pope and all the other priests.

Father Lingle noted that the entire center portion of the gothic cathedral was filled with religious men and women. The cathedral itself, he said, was huge and full of beauty and splendor.

"It's just a great expression of our faith," Father Lingle said of St. Patrick's. "It just really says that in the midst of all the skyscrapers [in New York], that this place is set aside for quiet and for prayer. It makes a big statement."

The priests arrived in New York the day before the Mass and returned the following Monday, giving them some time to take in the sights and sounds of New York. It was their first visit to the city, so they spent some time at Times Square, Central Park, Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty and other places. At the last minute, both men were also able to get tickets to the papal Mass at Yankee Stadium that Sunday.

The people were pretty pleasant, Father Lingle said, adding that the pope's visit was on the minds of all 22 million residents.

It was a great experience being with the Holy Father, Father Lingle added, but it's also good to come home with a "renewed spirit" to take a look again at what the pope said throughout his visit and to see how the Holy Father's message can enhance his ministry and the people he ministers to.

New York is a good place to visit, but he wouldn't want to live there, Father Vo said.

"It's good to be home and Sioux City is the best home," he said, adding that he is sincerely grateful to the bishop for giving him the opportunity to go to New York.

"To concelebrate the Holy Mass with the pope was the highlight of my life," Father Vo said. "It was a great blessing for me."