Bishop celebrates final chrism Mass

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
“This Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with his college of priests and at which he consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the other oils, manifests the communion of the priests with their bishop,” from the Ceremonial of Bishops.
 
Bishop Walker Nickless celebrated the chrism Mass April 14 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City with his priests, deacons and members of the faithful.
 
Confirmation students from around the diocese and students from the Sioux City Bishop Heelan School System were in attendance.
 Three Sioux City Mater Dei School students presented the bread, wine and balsam at the preparation. Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Parish in Algona presented the oil of chrism. Paulette Karolczak, director of faith formation for LeMars All Saints Parish presented the oil of catechumens and Father Peter Augustine, MercyOne Medical Center chaplain presented the oil of the sick.
 
Several of the diocesan seminarians assisted the bishop at the altar.
 

Paulette Karolczak of All Saints Parish, Le Mars

In his homily, Bishop Nickless acknowledged the students present in the Cathedral and explained more about a chrism Mass and its purpose. He noted that the chrism oil consecrated that day will be the same oil used to confirm some of them in the upcoming months.
 
“For those attending a chrism Mass for the first time, I will consecrate special oil that is mixed with spice – balsam. The oil represents Christ. I will mix the two together and breathe on the oil and pray that the Holy Spirit comes and makes it holy,” the bishop described the process of consecrating the chrism during the liturgy.
 
A large amount of chrism oil will be consecrated, he said, as it will be used in the sacrament of confirmation throughout the diocese and for ordinations.
 
“It will also be used to anoint the hands of our newest priest-to-be Deacon Jake Rosenmeyer. It will also be poured on the head of our new bishop – Bishop-elect John Keehner,” Bishop Nickless said, adding that the anointing is similar to the practice for kings and queens.
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He said the prayer of consecration is lengthy but also beautiful. The bishop asked the faithful to pay close attention to the words as they are prayed.
 
The oil of catechumen used for baptisms and the oil of the sick to comfort and heal the sick and dying would be blessed at the chrism Mass, the bishop said.
 
An important component of the Mass is the renewal of ordination promises by the priests and bishop. The active and retired priests were concelebrants of the Mass.
 
“You can tell from the music and the readings today that this Mass is about our priests and me, your bishop,” Bishop Nickless stressed in his homily. “I want to pay special attention to my brother priests here to pray with us – good, holy and dedicated priests.”
 

Deacon Jake Rosenmeyer, seminarian, assisted Bishop Nickless at the altar.

The bishop said the moment was reminiscent of the Scripture passage from Luke depicting the Last Supper.
 
“He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 22:15-16.
 
“I gather with you the last time for this Mass as bishop of the diocese,” Bishop Nickless said. “I eagerly desire to celebrate this Mass with you.”
 
He acknowledged the faithful service of the clergy in his nearly 20 year tenure as shepherd of the diocese as they have assisted the bishop in “building up the kingdom” in the 24 counties of northwest Iowa, encountering both successes and challenges.
 Diocesan priests“If I have ever offended you, ignored or forgotten you, I’m sorry and ask for your forgiveness. You are a blessing in my life,” the bishop addressed his priests, thanking them for their prayers. “I know pastoral planning has not been easy and I thank you for your understanding and leadership.”
 
Speaking to the retired priests, the bishop acknowledged that they have been invaluable to the parishes in their generous offering of their time to assist with Masses, confessions and other sacraments.
 
He shared his affection with all the priests assembled, noting that they are as family to him.
 
“I look upon you as sons and brothers as a father – soon as a grandfather. I thank you for your, ‘yes,’” Bishop Nickless said.