Pastors Notes from August 7, 2022
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August 8, 2022There has been questions asked pertaining to Bishop Nickless’ retirement, and when a new bishop will be appointed. As Canon Law mandates, a Bishop must send in his letter of resignation when he reaches the age of 75. Whether or not the Pope acts on immediately is another case. Because of circumstances never revealed the retiring Bishop may need to lead the respective diocese for a few months or several months beyond until a successor is named. I have experienced the guidance of five Bishops in our diocese since my upbringing. Bishop Frank Greteman, a native son, was ordained in ’75 and presided at my Confirmation back in ’67 (when I was in forth grade). Bishop Lawrence Soens ordained me in the early ’90’s, and now Cardinal DiNardo provided me with my earliest priestly assignments. Bishop Nickless has shepherded our Diocese for the latter half of my priestly ministry. Each have their unique personalities and pastoral abilities, sharing a common love for our Church. Whoever the Pope chooses (or is advised to choose) there are five requirements a perspective candidate must meet according to Canon Law 378. First of all, to be “outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the office in question.” Secondly, to be “of good reputation. The Church relies on the testimony provided by the candidate’s bishop and those who know him. Third requirement is age: the candidate must be at least 35 years old, and must submit a letter of resignation upon reaching the age of 75. Fourth requirement: the priest must ordained to the presbyterate for at least five years. Lastly, the candidate for episcopacy must have earned a higher degree, in sacred Scripture, theology or canon law.
How does the Pope have an understanding of any one priest to make a worthy choice guided by the Holy Spirit? Again, according to Canon law“At least every three years, bishops of an ecclesiastical province (our four dioceses of Iowa) meet and confidentially compose a list of presbyters, even including members of institutes of consecrated life, who are more suitable for the episcopate. They then send the list to the Apostolic See. Over the years of our diocese we have had only one “native son” appointed to shepherd our diocese: Bishop Frank Greteman who was born and raised in Carroll and ordained to serve our diocese up until his calling to the episcopacy in ’63. Bishop Soens hailed from the Davenport diocese, Cardinal DiNardo from Pittsburgh, and Bishop Nickless—a diehard Bronco fan—from Denver. So when will Pope Francis choose our new Bishop; several priests believe it will happen prior to Christmas.
Oh yes, I mentioned five Bishops in my lifetime. Well, I consider the fifth to be Pope Paul VI who guided our Church when I was a youngster, and whose Christmas Eve Midnight Mass from Rome we attempted to pull in on the television (if we could rotate the antenna just right. After all, the Pope is first and foremost the Bishop of Rome.
Not so many years ago the parish was mandated to publicize the “Banns of Marriage” in its weekly bulletin prior to the ceremony. For three weeks prior to the Catholic wedding the parish was to publicly announce the couple to be married, allowing anyone who may have a credible objection to come forward. Such practice began decades ago, before the Church had a required form in preparation for the upcoming marriage. It was difficult to discern whether they had been previously married. Individuals did try to conceal a previous marriage rather than disclose that fact. Thus the Church began to require the local Banns of Marriage; an announcement of an intended marriage, naming the persons to be married to be posted three times. Since the late seventies most parishes have stopped the Banns of Marriage practice with the present preparation paperwork now bringing to light the intentions of those to be married. However it has been brought to our attention of the absence of the marriages—and baptisms—in our parish bulletin. We will begin to announce in the bulletin the marriages that have taken place in our churches within Boone County and, at the same time, the baptisms. For the purpose of our awareness to pray for and support a newly married couple, and the family whose infant or child or adult has baptized. We may not know personally the individuals or the family personally, but we can pray for them nonetheless and allowing them to feel welcome within our churches.
Last Friday afternoon at Sacred Heart Austin Dahl (son of Vince & Mandy) was united in marriage to Katherine Christensen (daughter of Cory & Jessica). On Saturday evening following the 4:00 Mass at St. Malachy, Luke William Schaffer, (son of Nicholas & Brooke), and William Jack Schaffer, (son of Jack & Shelby) were baptized into our Catholic-Christian community. We welcome Austin & Katherine Dahl, newly married, to our Christian Community; and Luke William and William Jack baptized into our Catholic community of faith.
Darlene Mosman’s funeral Mass was held last Wednesday at Sacred Heart. Eternal rest grant unto Darlene O Lord. May she rest in peace.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.” (Aristotle)