First of three Masses of Welcome held in Fort Dodge

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The first of three Masses of Welcome for Bishop John E. Keehner was held June 24 at Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County.

One Mass in each of the three diocesan deaneries were scheduled in order to give the faithful of the diocese a chance to meet their new shepherd.

“Brothers and sisters, on this feast of St. John the Baptist, my patron, we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist,” the bishop said in opening remarks. 

The bishop presided at the Mass in Fort Dodge with Msgr. Kevin McCoy, pastor of Holy Trinity, along with parochial vicars Father Francis Makwinja and Father Ross Caniglia as the principal concelebrants. Another seven priests – a mix of active and retired – also concelebrated. Deacons of the Mass were Jeff Stanek and Mark Steinberg of Holy Trinity. Other deacons from the parish also attended.

In his homily, Bishop Keehner reminded the congregation of about 350 in attendance that little or no attention was given to anyone’s birthday in the church’s liturgical year with three exceptions: the birth of Jesus on Dec. 25, the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8 and the birth of John the Baptist on June 24.

“What is it about John that sets him apart from the rest of humanity?” asked the bishop. 
Bishop Keehner spoke of a sequence to events paralleling the birth of Jesus: John’s birth was announced by the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah (John’s father) as he served in the temple and John was given a name even before he was conceived, “an admission that sets him a part in the history of salvation.”

“To go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give the people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, John’s entire life was meant to foreshadow the life of Jesus,” said the bishop.

He stressed the fact that John’s role was never to be the center of attention or seek glory for himself but to point towards Christ.

It was JohnBishop Keehner gives the homily. the Baptist who said, “He must increase, I must decrease,” which is the motto of Bishop Keehner.

“How willing are we to allow ourselves to decrease in order that Christ might increase in our world? How many of us are willing to allow our own will, our own pride, our own way to decrease even just a tiny bit so that Christ may increase in our own individual lives?” asked the bishop.

While society teaches people to look out for No. 1 and make our own voices heard, for our own glory, he noted that John the Baptist’s voice was heard but it was for the glory of God.

“May we learn to follow the example of John the Baptist who recognized who he was and what his true, God-given purpose in life was. May we follow his example and allow ourselves to be poured out for the sake of the Gospel,” he said, adding that it is through emptying ourselves that we can make room for Jesus.

As the Mass ended, Msgr. McCoy thanked Bishop Keehner for his presence at the Mass

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY andannounced that a receiving line had been set up in the church narthex where red ropes marked the path for parishioners to greet to bishop.

In his closing remarks, Bishop Keehner quipped that when he saw the red ropes, he wondered if Santa was coming. He also extended gratitude to the choir, musicians and everyone who attended Mass because “it shows what it means to be a diocesan church.” 

Among attendees were Pat and Jen Leiting of Fort Dodge.

“It’s an honor to have the new bishop at Holy Trinity Parish and we want him to feel in Fort Dodge,” said Pat Leiting.

With the Knights of Columbus and brass instruments at the Mass, Jen Leiting said it was very ceremonious which made the service all the more special.

Devon Kenyon of Madrid attended Mass with her husband and nine children, the youngest who is just three weeks old.

“We thought it was really important for the family, especially the kids, to meet the new bishop. It’s exciting,” she said, who noted her impression of the new shepherd was great. “He spoke very eloquently.”

The family was among the parishioners to greet the bishop. Having two Johns in the family, Kenyon noted, “They are co-celebrating the feast day today. We are really grateful and honored to get to meet him today. We look forward to him becoming part of our community.”

Mary Salocker, wife of Deacon Rick Salocker of Fort Dodge, said she was thrilled and honored for the bishop to come to the parish.

“I think he is very approachable, down-to-earth and willing to learn about our parish,” she said. 

Salocker is pleased the diocese arranged for these three Masses out in the diocese as it allows for Bishop Keehner to be present with and meet his flock.

Msgr. McCoy noted that parishioners came from various church communities of the diocese’s East Deanery.

“The bishop had commented how welcome he felt,” said the pastor. “The goal was for us to show our appreciation to him for saying ‘yes’ to the Lord to be the shepherd for us in northwest Iowa. I think the people showed that by their presence and warm reception of him.”

Two more Masses of welcome are placed in the diocese both with Mass at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception: July 16 at St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake and Aug. 12 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

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