By Barb Arland-Fye
Editor
Roger Youngblut smiled warmly as he handed out worship aids in the east entrance to people arriving for the Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport on April 14. He said he loved seeing all of the priests (approximately 70 all together) processing into the cathedral for the Chrism Mass, the first one he has attended. “It’s inspiring to see all of the priests, especially the young priests. It gives you hope for the future,” Youngblut said after Mass.
During this annual liturgy, priests renew their commitment to priestly service and the bishop blesses and consecrates the oils that the diocese’s parishes will use in the coming year: sacred chrism, oil of the sick and oil of the catechumens.
Father Dane Dickinson, heading toward the cathedral’s Great Hall after Mass, reflected briefly on his experience of this year’s Chrism Mass. Ordained to the priesthood June 1, 2024, he said being with his brother priests to renew their promises to priestly service, “which I just made nine months ago, is awesome.” Father Dickinson serves as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf. He will begin his new assignment as parochial administrator of St. James Parish-Washington on July 1.
Father Paul Connolly and Father Mike Spiekermeier, retired priests of the Davenport Diocese, enjoying lunch in the Great Hall, put down their forks for a minute to reflect on the many Chrism Masses in which they have renewed their priestly promises over the decades.
“We used to ordain deacons during the Chrism Mass,” said Father Connolly, who was ordained a deacon during the Chrism Mass of 1982, as he recalled. He described that experience as very powerful. And every year since his ordination to the priesthood in 1983, he cherishes the opportunity to renew his commitment to the priesthood.
“It’s been 56 years for me as a priest,” said Father Spiekermeier, with gratitude. He described renewal of his priestly promises as very powerful. Equally impressive? “Seeing all of the people come together,” he said. He remembers fondly a time years ago when he served at Holy Family Parish and the sixth, seventh and eighth-graders attended the Chrism Mass.
Louise Donnelly of St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf described the Chrism Mass as “fantastic.” The widow of Deacon Bill Donnelly, she attends the Chrism Mass faithfully, year after year, she said. “It’s so beautiful.”
“There are no words to describe this Mass,” said Jude Steil, also of St. John Vianney Parish. “We are so blessed to have a bishop who is so real. To see all the priests together was amazing.”
(Contact Editor Barb Arland-Fye at arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org)
