Dear Pastors,
As you know Pope Benedict XVI has declared the Year of Faith to begin on October 11, 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and to end on November 24, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King.
The Year of Faith will be a great occasion for special grace and renewal in the Universal Church and for our local Church. It will be a time to rediscover the joy and precious gift of our Catholic faith, and bring about a renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Jesus Christ. “The Year of Faith is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Saviour of the world” (Porta Fidei 6).
For us in the Diocese of Sioux City, this will be a time to continue to focus on the practical implementation of my pastoral plan as conveyed in Ecclesia Semper Reformanda. We must renew our reverence, love, adoration and devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament, within and outside of Mass. We must strengthen catechesis on every level, beginning with and focusing on adults. We are called to protect, build up and foster holy families in our midst, so vital to the future of the Church and the world. We must foster a culture where young people can more readily respond to the radical calls of ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life. We must acknowledge and embrace the missionary character of our Catholic Faith and the vocation of all Catholics to be, not only disciples, but also apostles.
In this Year of Faith, it is my desire that the faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City fall deeply and passionately in love with Jesus Christ and follow after Him. To facilitate this hope, I urge pastors of parishes in the Diocese to offer more times for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, with the goal of establishing more permanent places of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Also, pastors should strive to offer more opportunities for the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Penance. Parishes should participate in the New Evangelization by focusing on spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to fallen away Catholics and non-Catholics within the local communities. To assist in these efforts, parishes are encouraged to begin or continue studying the Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and my pastoral letter Ecclesia Semper Reformanda. The faithful are encouraged to focus their attention on striving to bring about a renewal of Catholic Marriage and Family life, fostering vocations to priesthood and religious life, and participating in the missionary efforts of the Church. Efforts should be made by the faithful to do charitable works and deeds in and outside the Diocese.
I am really excited about the Year of Faith and the possibilities for great graces here in our Diocese. To further prepare for the Year of Faith, I ask that you please read Pope Benedict’s document Porta Fidei and the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith’s Note with pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith found on the Vatican’s website www.vatican.va. Also, I am inviting you and the faithful in your parishes to regional meetings (dates and places to be determined) sponsored by the newly titled Office of New Evangelization to brainstorm and gather ideas for the Year of Faith for your local parish communities. Details will be shared with you soon.
Thank you for your consideration and support in this great effort. As we begin preparations for the Year of Faith may we turn to the loving guidance and intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the New Evangelization. May the Lord give you peace.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
