Carroll Holy Spirit to offer Lenten encounter

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Posted March 20, 2003

CARROLL - Holy Spirit Parish is holding a two-day conference, "Lenten Encounter with the Crucified Christ."

The conference will be led by Msgr. Frank Chiodo. He will give three meditations titled "Sacrifice and the Sign of the Cross," "He died for ME" and "Christ IS the path."

The conference will begin at 6:45 p.m. on March 28 with the "Mercy Chaplet" led by Mary Hall, a cantor at Holy Spirit, followed by Mass and the first meditation at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. there will be confessions, followed by coffee and cookies.

"Our priests will hear the confessions, and Msgr. Chiodo will be available to the parishioners for a social hour," said Judy Feld, one of the organizers of the event.

On March 29, the conference will continue with a Mass and second meditation at 7:30 a.m. There will be brunch at 8:30 a.m. preceded by the "Mercy Chaplet," sung by Mary Hall. At 9:45 a.m., the group will gather for the third and final meditation with Msgr. Chiodo. The day will conclude with Benediction and closing prayer at 10:30 a.m.

"We feel that people are thirsting and hungry for something to make their Lent a little different or a little better," said Feld. "We thought maybe this would address those people who want to do more praying and more meditating. We wanted to get more working people. That is why we put it in the evening and into the morning."

Msgr. Chiodo was born and raised in Des Moines. He attended Conception Seminary in Missouri and graduated with a Masters Degree in Moral Theology from the Seminar in Denver. He was ordained in 1976 and named a monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 1990.

"We wanted to help people deepen their faith and understanding to grow in our faith," said Joan Hansman, event organizer. "Spend some time with the Lord learning and praying for his call for us to come and pray awhile and be with him."

After serving as pastor of the Basilica of St. John in Des Moines for 15 years and founding a fledgling Benedictine monastery there, he was appointed to the parish of St. Thomas More in Omaha in 2001.

"We've heard that Msgr. Chiodo is an excellent speaker and very informative and easy to understand," said Hansman.

Msgr. Chiodo had a healing, radio and television ministry in Des Moines and has CD's available which contain a variety of meditations on the Coming of Christ, the power of the Cross and the Presence of Christ.

"I hope we get about 300 people," said Feld. "I wish we could fill the church, but we will see what happens. We sent invitations out to a 60-mile area."

People are encouraged to register even if they cannot attend both days. They will be charged half price if only able to attend one day, noted Feld.

The conference costs $15 per person. Brunch is included free with registration. They will take registrations that evening as well as beforehand. Contact Joan Hansman for more information or to register at (712) 792-1559 or (712) 792-3602.