Diocese seeks applicants for Diocesan Pastoral Council
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted August 1, 2002

The Diocese of Sioux City is seeking three people from two of its six deaneries to serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Two representatives are being sought from the Northeast Deanery and one from the Central Deanery.

"The council is a major voice of consultation for me on significant themes in the diocese," said Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo.

According to the chancellor, Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, the council assists the bishop in pastoral affairs of the diocese. This is a consultative group, not a legislative or governing body.

"They gather data to try to understand and make conclusions and proposals to the bishop concerning any pastoral activity throughout the diocese," he explained was the function of the council as listed in the Code of Canon Law.

Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council offer reflections and advice on various ministries, pastoral policies and issues such as clustering. For instance, they will review the new sacramental policies that are currently being updated.

"The membership of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is to be representative of the diocese in every aspect - its regions and social conditions," noted Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor. "It is designed to get a good feel for what the people are doing and learn of the people's needs and challenges."

With that in mind, the council is made up of two representatives from each deanery, one representative of the Women's Commission, one religious sister, one priest, one permanent deacon, a member of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission as well as a representative from both the Vietnamese and Hispanic communities. The chancellor and bishop are ex officio members of the council.

Members of the council serve a three-year term, renewable once. Each representative could serve as many as six years consecutively.

The bishop pointed out that these representatives from different areas of the diocese "bring a point of view, a power of advising that is very helpful for the bishop in handling pastoral life." Diversity in representation allows him access to many points of view.

"These pastoral council members bring insights from their various areas and together, at the bishop's table, they are able to put it in a little more focus and describe for him some of the needs of the diocese," said the chancellor.

Msgr. Sernett pointed out that while the Code of Canon Law does not demand that dioceses have pastoral councils, the councils are highly recommended. The concept grew out of the Second Vatican Council with its emphasis on expanding the role of the laity in the work of the church. In 1992, Bishop Lawrence D. Soens, retired, opted to start a council as a means to give laity a greater voice. The terms of the original members began on Jan. 1, 1993. The makeup of the council is at the discretion of the bishop.

"This is one of many consultative bodies that the bishop has to help him in the running and administration of the diocese," explained the chancellor.

The function of the council can vary from diocese to diocese. Diocesan Pastoral Councils are tailored to suit the needs of the bishop and diocese. The council meets twice a year.

The council strives to carry out the mission statement of the diocese: "We, the bishop and ministers of the Roman Catholic Church in the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Sioux City, proclaim our mission to nurture the Body of Christ through our baptismal call to proclaim, celebrate, serve and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

It is committed to being one in the church's teachings, and strives to help the diocese model good stewardship of God's gifts, resources, services and ministries.

Members of the council include: Judy Brodersen, Denison, representative of the Women's Commission; Dennis Hardy, Churdan; James Henkel, Boone; Sister Kathy Knipper, Sioux City, representative of women religious; Buu Tam Nguyen, Sioux City, representative of Vietnamese community; Father Patrick O'Kane, Early, priest representative; Carolyn Pudenz, Pocahontas; Tex Rikkers, Sioux Center; Theresa Riley, Sibley; James Sands, Sioux City, permanent deacon representative; Jody Sitzmann, Sioux City; Nicholas Topf, Carroll; Verna Welte, Sioux City; and Geri Winge, Fort Dodge.

Applications are now being accepted from parishioners of the Northeast and

Central Deaneries to replace the three members whose terms have expired.

"I would encourage people who have an interest in the diocese to apply," said Bishop DiNardo. "This is a form of consultation that is broad based. For people who are interested, they should find it a profitable experience along with a way to help the bishop of the diocese."