Bishop DiNardo hosts luncheon for scholars

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff writer
Posted Oct. 31, 2002

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo and the Diocese of Sioux City hosted a luncheon for Briar Cliff University students who are current recipients of the Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo Scholarship.

"This annual luncheon provides an opportunity for Bishop DiNardo to communicate with these students on a more personal level," said Royce Ranniger, operations director of the diocese. "It also provided the students an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the departments within the Central Catholic Offices."

The students, he added, probably were not aware of the services such as finance, insurance, vocations, religious education and adult and youth ministry that are provided by the offices.

The scholarship is awarded to students from parishes within the Diocese of Sioux City attending Briar Cliff University. The university is the only Catholic institution of higher learning in the diocese.

The students receiving the scholarship apply for it prior to their freshman year in college. Two students are awarded the scholarship each year. There were 19 applicants from several parishes in the diocese this year. Of the 19, there were four finalists.

"I heard about the scholarship in my church bulletin," said Erin Youngers from St. Patrick's Parish in Sheldon. "It's a great honor to receive such a big scholarship."

The essays written by the recipients explained that education and religion are important aspects in their lives. They would like the chance to make a difference in the world.

Along with Youngers, the other freshmen recipient of the scholarship is Karla Thole. The other recipients from previous years include Rachel Albrect, Chris Miller, Julie Roder, Stephanie Daniel and Sarah Wiener.

"I feel honored because it shows that my hard work in my parish paid off," said Albrecht, a sophomore from Sacred Heart parish in Fort Dodge. "It gave me the opportunity to attend Briar Cliff."

The scholarship is something that stays with the student for their four years of college at Briar Cliff as long as they meet the academic requirements.

"It is quite an honor, and it also helps me continue my Catholic education and tradition," said Miller, a parishioner at Remsen St. Mary's.

This year instead of having the scholarship luncheon at Briar Cliff, it was held at the chancery office in Sioux City. The students took a tour of the offices and ate lunch with Bishop DiNardo.

"I thought it was quite interesting to see what they do everyday," said Miller. "I liked to meet the benefactor on a personal level, seeing the face and personality behind the name."

While eating lunch with Bishop DiNardo, the students were given the opportunity to ask him questions and to talk to him on a more personal level.

"I asked him about campus ministry, music ministry and student led homilies," said Albrect. "He gave me good ideas. I had heard conflicting opinions, and he told me what was really going on. Student led homilies are not allowed in a Catholic Mass according to Canon Law."

Ranniger pointed out that many students from Briar Cliff go on to work at diocesan entities whether it is at the schools, parishes or other related entities.