Everyone is called by God, vocations contest winners told
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted May 23, 2002

Everyone is called by God was the message that Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo sent to winners of Serra Club of Siouxland's Vocations Creativity Contest.

"As soon as you come out of the baptismal font ... you are called by God to do God's work in the world," he said. "I'm sure that the vast majority of these young people will be called to the married state. Right now we need very strong, solid families. Strong families give rise to religious vocations."

The bishop spoke to the first place winners, kindergarten through eighth grade, and their families that attended the recognition banquet held May 18 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He also was presider and homilist at the 5 p.m. liturgy attended by the contest winners and their families.

He pointed out that the first place winners represent many communities and areas of the diocese - Caroll, Fonda, Fort Dodge, Sheldon, Sioux City and Spencer.

Bishop DiNardo asked them to pray for the diocese and priestly vocations. He informed them that there are currently 14 seminarians, but he would like to have 20. And with the upcoming retirement of four priests this summer, the number of active priests will drop below the 100 mark for a month or two until two additional men will be ordained later in the year.

"For the first time last year, we dipped below 100 active women religious in the diocese," he noted. "Our work is cut out for us."

If people do not discern where God is calling them, the bishop said there would be problems with marriage and religious life.

Father Brian Hughes, vocation director, also stressed the importance of listening to God's call and asked them to be open to how they are being called.

Jim Golden, president of Serra Club of Siouxland, announced the winners and the bishop gave them a certificate. The students also received a VCR tape of the rosary, led by the bishop.

First-place winners were: Eliot Sayavong, kindergartner from Sioux City; Ann Steffen, first-grader from Carroll; John Labernik, second-grader from Spencer; Savanna Lindgren, third-grader from Fonda; Colin Gargano, fourth-grader from Fort Dodge; Lexie Ronconi, fifth-grader from Fort Dodge; Kurt Kruger, sixth-grader from Sheldon; Amanda Wyant, seventh-grader from Sioux City and Luke Borkowski, eighth-grader from Carroll.

Labernik pointed out that his contest entry was inspired by Father Tim Fitzgerald of Royal who spoke to students at his school - Sacred Heart in Spencer - about vocations.

"He gave me a good idea of what priests do," the second-grader explained. He then revealed his reason for wanting to participate in the contest, "I just wanted to shoot for the prize."

His parents, Steve and Karla Labernik, said he was excited all week for the dinner with the bishop.

Ronconi, whose assignment was to T-shirt logo, said she was happy and excited to have received first place. The speakers at the dinner helped her realize the importance of thinking about one's vocation.

Would she consider becoming a sister? Maybe.

Borkowski, an eighth-grader, said he would consider a vocation to the priesthood, especially after hearing Bishop DiNardo talk about the declining number of priests.

"His talk made me think about it a little more," he said. "It helped me to reflect on vocations."

First-grader Steffen said it the dinner was "awesome" because she got to see the bishop.

The banquet was also used as a venue to spread the mission of Serra Club - encourage new vocations to the priesthood and religious life, affirm and support priests and sisters, to be better Catholics themselves and to pray. Father Hughes serves as chaplain for the club.