Priests to attend convocation in October
GLOBE STAFF REPORT
Posted Sept. 19, 2002

All active priests of the Diocese of Sioux City and any retired priests who want to attend will gather in Omaha Oct. 14 to Oct. 17 for the second convocation of diocesan priests.

The first convocation was held in October 1999. The upcoming gathering will focus on preaching.

The topic was selected by the subcommittee on priestly formation within the presbyteral council and then was approved by the bishop.

"Work on the theology and practice of preaching is always important for our priests," said Bishop DiNardo. "Effective communication of the Word of God is one of the most important aspects of priestly ministry."

According to Father Paul Eisele, facilitator of the convocation, two priests from the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy, Inc. will be the keynote speakers at the convocation. Father Stephen DeLeers, assistant professor of homiletics at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, and Father Charles Parr of Clifton, N.J., will present "Renewing Sunday Preaching."

The goals of the program are:

1) to affirm priests' dedication to preaching the Word of God and to encourage their best efforts in that ministry.

2) to assist in the formation of a presbyter's identity as preachers of the Word.

3) to help priests claim a Roman Catholic vision of Sunday homiletic preaching.

4) to nurture the priest's homiletic competence which flows from vision.

"Just as we did in 1999," noted Father Eisele, "the Office of Worship of the diocese will provide morning prayer services for use on the days that the priests are in Omaha."

Bishop DiNardo pointed out that when he first became bishop, after speaking to a number of priests it became obvious to him that they needed time together as priests.

"Our priests get together once a month for holy hour in their deanery, but beyond that it appeared we needed a larger block of time to be together - to see, speak, pray and learn together as the priests of one diocese," said the bishop.

Original plans were to hold a convocation last year, starting on an every other year schedule. However, organizers thought it wise to hold the gathering during the centennial year of the diocese. In the future, it will be held every two years.

"This particular year has been a blessed one for the Diocese of Sioux City in celebrating its centennial." The bishop added, "It has also been a difficult year for priests. The vast majority of our priests are faithful to their identity and live to make the Lord Jesus known. However, all have suffered this year because of the sexual abuse crisis. I believe that time together for prayer and mutual support is very helpful right now."

They will celebrate the diocese's centennial together as a body of priests and will encourage one another in faithfulness to their call.

Some of the retired priests of the diocese have made themselves available for emergency care to the sick and for funerals.

"I was extremely pleased with the convocation in 1999, and I pray that we can grow in our preaching skills through these days that we will spend together in Omaha," said Father Eisele. "I am so very grateful to Bishop DiNardo for calling us together, again, in convocation."