Bishop’s columns

Every month, Bishop Richard Pates shares his thoughts and reflections with the Diocese of Des Moines through his column in the diocesan newspaper The Catholic Mirror. Recent columns are listed below.

November -- Elusive unity
October -- Voting (once again) and growing our Catholic heritage
September -- Sorting through the 2012 elections
August -- Anticipating a New Year
July -- July 1, Religious Liberty Gathering
June -- July 1, Independence Celebration Walk & Picnic
May -- Experiencing and Passing on the Faith
April -- “God’s Plan and Us”
March -- Ad Limina Apostolorum
February -- HHS mandate, Ash Wednesday
January-- Catholic Schools -- A Great Blessing

6-30-12 Column in the Des Moines Register on HHS Mandate (full, unedited version)

2011

December -- Christmas extended anew through us
November -- Introduction of the Roman Missal, Third Edition
October -- Celebrating 100 years
September -- World Youth Day: A Defining Moment
August -- Centennial Celebration: Plans are set
July -- Wisdom handed on
June -- Addressing the faith of the young
May -- Remembering Blessed John Paul II
April -- Dying and Rising: The Pascal Mystery
March -- Striving for unity via universal truth
February -- In the Holy Land with the Neocatechumenal Way
January -- On a Journey Together

2010

December -- A remarkable Christmas present
November -- Diocesan centennial to kick off Nov. 20-21
October -- A culture of vocations
September -- A visit by Vatican official Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski
August -- Thirteen new deacons
July -- Celebrating our history
June -- Addressing directly issues of sexual abuse
May -- Pastoral Letter: A commitment to adolescent catechesis: A critical stage of lifelong catechesis in the Diocese of Des Moines (introduction)
April -- Richness in diversity
March -- Paschal Mystery, Easter message at core of centennial celebration
February -- Marriage
January -- Catholic Schools -- Dividends for Life