Pope Benedict XVI declared  a year of the priest to encourage spiritual reflection in priests. The year will be observed through June 19, 2010. Watch the Catholic Mirror each month for profiles on diocesan priests. Shown here: Father Dave Fleming, pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Council Bluffs, celebrates daily Mass. For more information on vocations to the priesthood in the Des Moines diocese, call 515-237-5050.

Many of the Divine Word Farms, part of Divine Word Missionaries, are located in the Des Moines diocese. The farms are a means of support for the missions' work throughout the world, and they also work to care for the land in the process. The newest is an experimental organic farm, located on 40 acres near Weldon. Shown here: Annette Krug, the farm's manager, weighs tomatoes produced on the organic farm. 

Bishop Richard E. Pates, is joining youth from the diocese and around the country at the National Catholic Youth Conference, or NCYC, in Kansas City, MO. Listen to him talk with young people at the event and with the coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the USCCB, Friday at 10 a.m. live on KWKY and at www.kvss.com. The show is replayed Saturday at noon on KWKY.  

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Health care reformBishop Pates column in Aug. 31, 2009 Des Moines Register.            Bishop Pates issued a statement on health care reform.See the U.S. bishops' Action Alert on health care reform.U.S. bishops' official website on health care reform.USCCB domestic policy chairman Bishop William Murphy's letter to Congress.Catholic Charities urges health care reform consistent with Catholic teaching.Bishop Pates on Oct. 30 encouraged people to contact their U.S. Representatives and Senators about pending health care reform legislation. See the press release and a copy of the bulletin insert in English and Spanish.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offer this prayer in English and Spanish as a suggestion to help with the effort to have pro-life reform passed by our legislators.