Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

June 29 is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the patrons of the Church of Rome, and so also of the whole Roman Catholic Church throughout the world. These two saints, who were such powerful evangelists in the earliest decades of the Church, continue to inspire and encourage our own efforts here and now for the salvation of souls. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as successor of St. Peter, continues to lead the Church in the mission of our Savior, offering His grace where it is most needed in this life.

Pope Francis stated in his 2021 Urbi et Orbi address, “Amid the many hardships we are enduring, let us never forget that we have been healed by the wounds of Christ (cf. 1 Pet 2:24). In the light of the Risen Lord, our sufferings are now transfigured. Where there was death, now there is life. Where there was mourning, now there is consolation. In embracing the cross, Jesus bestowed meaning on our sufferings and now we pray that the benefits of that healing will spread throughout the world. ”

We are taking up this collection to be part of the Church’s effort to heal the wounds of sin throughout the world, by the power of Christ’s love, alive in us, His faithful disciples. Your support makes it possible for the Holy Father to carry out his charitable works around the world, to help victims of the pandemic, war, natural disasters, and other difficult situations, as the first step in proclaiming the love, mercy, and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. By supporting this collection with your prayers and your gift, you join the Holy Father in bringing a little more mercy into the world.

May your faith and hope may always grow in union with our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves each soul indescribably!

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City