Diocese to sponsor Special Olympics

Posted March 6, 2003

The Diocese of Sioux City will once again sponsor a Special Olympics clinic in conjunction with the Women's NAIA Basketball Tournament to be held next week in Sioux City.

Basketball players from colleges throughout the country that will participate in the tournament will help the Special Olympians with a variety of skills such as passing and shooting baskets from 9 a.m. to noon on March 11 at the Sioux City Auditorium.

Last year the diocesan-sponsored event drew about 250 youth and young adults with special needs from the Siouxland area.

Father Dennis Meinen, homebound contact person for the Diocesan Coalition for Ministry with Persons Having Disabilities, will be on hand for the event.

"I love the Special Olympics oath. 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' It tells me something about my own disability. I had questioned the value of my suffering," said the priest, who has multiple sclerosis. "Then I read what St. Thérèse of Lisieux had to say. 'I felt then that suffering was the very best gift he had to give us, that he gave it only to his chosen friends.' I also read about her focus. It is said that from the early age of three to her death at 24 she seems to have been flying in a straight line toward a goal, unwavering, like a homing bird whose instinct does not present him with alternatives."

This reminded Father Meinen of those participating in the Special Olympics as they "desperately" but successfully meet the athletic challenges presented to them.

He added that the college athletes who helped with the event last year appeared to get much out of the event. They were very patient with the Special Olympians and he noted that it was almost as if they were helping younger siblings.

"By sponsoring the Special Olympics, the Diocese of Sioux City touches upon one of the essential points of the life of the Christian in the world. It's all about charity. As St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:13 'So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.'"