THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Vol. 52, No. 12 December 21, 2018 Bishops of Congratulations, Father Ryan Andrew Iowa voice Des Moines native was ordained a priest on Dec. 14 concerns about gun laws By Kelly Mescher Collins Staff Writer In the wake of legisla- tion being introduced in the state, the Iowa Catholic Conference, is voicing concerns. A proposed state Consti- tutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 2009, would subject restrictions on the right of the people to keep and bear arms to “strict scrutiny.” The Iowa Catholic Con- ference opposes the bill because it would make regulating any fire- arms difficult. It could also put current state law regarding back- ground checks and permitting at risk, said Tom Chapman, execu- tive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference. In a December letter to legislators and the general public, signed by the four bishops of Iowa – Archbishop Michael Jackels of the Archdiocese of Dubuque; Bishop Richard Pates of the Di- ocese of Des Moines; Bishop Thomas Zinkula of the Diocese of Davenport; and Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux Photo by Ken Seeber City – they expressed their con- cerns. “We believe that weap- ons increasingly capable of in- flicting great suffering in a short period of time are simply too accessible,” the letter said. “The right to bear arms as found in our Constitution must be balanced against the safety and well-being of the populace as a whole. The Supreme Court has held that such restrictions are fully compatible Photos by Anne Marie Cox with the Second Amendment.” A standing-room-only crowd filled St. Ambrose Cathedral for the ordination of Father Ryan Andrew. He will serve The Iowa Catholic Con- as a chaplain at Dowling Catholic High School and associate pastor at St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale. ference is also opposed to the re- cently passed Stand Your Ground Law, which expands the lawful- ness of using deadly force. U.S. bishops issue pastoral letter against racism “Previously it was law- ful to use deadly force to defend 183 votes, for passage. “This statement is very the Right” rally was held last your place of business or your By Mark Pattison “Despite many important and very timely,” year. Bishop Knestout added the home,” Chapman said. ““The Catholic News Service promising strides made in our said Bishop John E. Stowe diocese has already conducted legislature expanded that and country, racism still infects our of Lexington, Kentucky. He listening sessions on racism. BALTIMORE (CNS) -- removed any duty to retreat if nation,” the pastoral letter says. appreciated that the letter took Bishop Robert J. Baker The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly you felt threatened.” “Racist acts are sinful note of the racism suffered by of Birmingham, Alabama, what approved a pastoral letter against “In our reflection, we because they violate justice. They African-Americans and Native he called “ground zero for the racism Nov. 14 during their fall are also guided by the Catechism reveal a failure to acknowledge Americans, “two pieces of our civil rights movement,” said the general meeting at Baltimore. of the Catholic Church, which the human dignity of the persons national history that we have not pastoral’s message is needed, as The document, “Open teaches that the commandment to offended, to recognize them as reconciled.” the civil rights movement “began Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring love oneself justifies self-defense the neighbors Christ calls us to “This will be a great, 60 years ago and we’re still Call to Love -- A Pastoral Letter within moral limits against an un- love,” it adds. fruitful document for discussion,” working on achieving the goals in Against Racism,” passed 241-3 Bishops speaking on the said Bishop Barry C. Knestout of with one abstention. It required a pastoral gave clear consent to the Richmond, Virginia, in whose Continued on page 13 Continued on page 15 two-thirds vote by all bishops, or letter’s message. diocese the violence-laden “Unite 2 The Catholic Mirror December 21, 2018 www.dmdiocese.org In the Heartland with Bishop Pates Busy, busy this holiday season The code word that fingers on its enduring legacy. I am fortunate because is of consequence to you. Who is abroad in these days before I then asked them for a my job description entails telling will receive your outreach and Christmas is busy. Activity favor – would they, in the next the Christmas story as widely and when will you do it? It will sure- ramps up fueled by shopping, By day or so, share that story with as enthusiastically as I can. In ly be a new moment for the fortu- exchange of cards and frequent Bishop their grandpas and grandmas, so many ways, that is why I very nate recipient of your conviction. parties. Much of this is good be- Richard with their aunts and uncles and much like what I do. Merry Christmas, my cause it signals valuable human Pates especially with their cousins and But as a Christian, you friends! May 2019 unfold abun- connections which give meaning good friends. Of course, they share with me the same job expec- dant blessings for you and your to our lives. responded, they would! Being tation. And this identity includes loved ones. Although I can identify Among the most satis- a trusting individual, I presumed telling others about the incredible with and even enjoy this busy- fying memories of my service as they did. story of Christmas, sharing what ness, I find it vital to take time to a priest was when I had the good reflect on that which is founda- fortune of celebrating the 4 p.m. tional to our beliefs. It is coming Christmas liturgy at St. Ambrose to grips with God’s intervention of Woodbury in Minnesota. It which has changed the course of was a brand new parish with an history, obviously but important- average age of “four.” For that ly my own. It is overwhelming to particular Mass, people would be- think of this God, responsible for gin arriving at 2:30 p.m. to stake the immensity of creation, step- out their seats in a church that ac- ping into time as one of us. commodated 1,500. What is even more as- The focus of the Mass tonishing is that God does this was when 300 or so children gath- purely out of love for each of us. ered around me as I recounted the He cares so much that he reach- Christmas story, that very beauti- es beyond his self-sufficiency ful retelling of Jesus’ birth which and engages us in relationship stimulates our imagination. For demonstrating the intrinsic val- the most part, the kids tuned in. ue he attributes to each of us. It Following the Scripture is in responding to this outreach reading, I inquired about what the that you and I come in touch with young people were expecting this happiness, with a sense of peace, Christmas. They cited the popu- with being very comfortable in lar toy of the year and other items our own skins. that they expected Santa to grace We talk about those them with. Eventually, we did things that are important to us. get around to Jesus. They were Everyone knows of our children excited to share what they knew and grandchildren, our interests of him and what his purpose was and hobbies. Shouldn’t others in coming to the world. They had Photo by Anne Marie Cox also be aware of the centrality of firm hold of the revelation, confi- Bishop Richard Pates blesses Karla Contreras, a sixth grader at St. Joseph School in Des Jesus in our lives? dently recounted it and put their Moines, during a school Mass on Nov. 29. Bishop Pates wanted to visit all of the diocesan schools before he retires. Bishop’s Schedule Friday, December 21 Christmas gathering, St. Peter Friday, January 4 Saturday, January 19 Walnut – Installation Mass of Des Moines – “In the Heartland Parish Hall, noon Des Moines – “In the Heartland Avoca – Installation Mass of Father Seth Owusu, St. Patrick with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Father Seth Owusu, St. Mary Parish, 10:30 a.m. Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Friday, December 21 – Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Parish, 5:30 p.m. Omaha, 9 a.m. Saturday, December 22 Omaha, 9 a.m. Council Bluffs – Priests’ Griswold – Bishop’s priesthood Sunday, January 20 vocation retreat, Creighton Retreat Tuesday, January 8 Avoca – Installation Mass of Center, 7 p.m. West Des Moines – Mass and Father Seth Owusu, St. Mary reception for “The Veil Removed” Parish, 8 a.m. THE CATHOLIC Sunday, December 23 supporters, St. Francis of Assisi Atlantic – Seminarian and family Parish, 6 p.m. The New Christmas celebration, Ss. Peter MIRROR and Paul Parish, noon Friday, January 11 Moment Des Moines – “In the Heartland Monday, December 24 with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic OFFICIAL Bishop Richard E. Pates Des Moines – Christmas Eve Radio, Des Moines; KVSS, Publisher Mass, St. Ambrose Cathedral, 10 Omaha, 9 a.m. [email protected] p.m. Effective November 1, 2018 Saturday, January 12 Father John Harmon – from Parochial Vicar of St. Pius X Anne Marie Cox Tuesday, December 25 Audubon – Installation Mass of Parish to retirement. In retirement, he will enjoy affiliation with Editor Des Moines – Christmas Mass, St. Father David Nkruman, St. Patrick St. Pius X Parish. [email protected] Ambrose Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. Parish, 5 p.m. Effective December 14, 2018 Kelly Mescher Collins Friday, December 28 Sunday, January 13 Father Samuel Danso – a priest of the Diocese of Konon- Staff Writer Des Moines – “In the Heartland Exira – Installation Mass of go-Mampong, Ghana, to Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Chariton, [email protected] with Bishop Pates,” Iowa Catholic Father David Nkruman, Holy St.