Diocese bids Bishop DiNardo farewell

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 25, 2004

In a farewell talk to the people of the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo acknowledged that he was honored and yet saddened upon receiving the phone call in January informing him that he had been named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

Three celebrations that included vespers and an open house were held at different locations of the diocese - March 9 at Holy Spirit in Carroll, March 11 at Sacred Heart in Spencer and March 16 at St. Michael Church in Sioux City. The Sioux City gathering was originally planned for March 15, but was rescheduled for a day later due to the 18-inch snowfall.

There was an additional problem with the Sioux City gathering on March 16 when a car accident within a half-mile of the church caused a power outage in the area. Instead of the planned vespers, Bishop DiNardo gave a brief talk in the church via candlelight. The reception was held in the dimly lit parish center until the power was restored near the conclusion of the gathering.

A 9-minute video produced by G.R. Lindblade was presented at all three gatherings. It featured Bishop DiNardo's ordination, the announcement of Bishop Lawrence D. Soens retirement on Nov. 28, 1998 and various other highlights of Bishop DiNardo's tenure in the diocese.

"These celebrations are really to say thank you and to tell you how much I will miss the Diocese of Sioux City and how there will always be a hole in my heart for the diocese," said the bishop at the March 16 gathering.

He told those gathered that he held the greatest regard for all of the priests, deacons, women religious and all of the parishioners of the diocese as well as for all of faithful people of all faiths.

In Sioux City, the crowd broke out into laughter when the bishop mentioned that when he first came to Sioux City he noticed "how really dark it was here. Now, you can see for yourselves. ... In Pittsburgh you were never really in the dark."

The bishop extended his deep gratitude to all of the people of the Diocese of Sioux City and thanked all of the people of Siouxland.

"It has been my privilege to serve as shepherd of the Diocese of Sioux City," said Bishop DiNardo.

He pointed out that when he first came to the diocese it was apparent how openly friendly people were here. The bishop mentioned that he had received a fact sheet stating "you know you are in Northwest Iowa when..." you get a wrong number and you still talk for 10 minutes. That actually happened to him.

It was the straight-forwardness of the people's faith in Northwest Iowa that impressed him immensely.

During his farewell talks, Bishop DiNardo referred to himself as a "baby bishop" upon his arrival in the diocese and now he was leaving as a "toddler." He estimated that he would serve as coadjutor for about two years under Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, the current head of the diocese, who turned 73 on Jan. 25.

As coadjutor, Bishop DiNardo would automatically become bishop of Galveston-Houston should Bishop Fiorenza retire. This announcement of this new assignment was made on Jan. 16.

Bishop DiNardo celebrated his final Mass at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on March 21. Knights of Columbus from throughout the diocese and even into Eastern Iowa provided an honor guard for his final liturgy in the diocese. During his homily and at his other farewell celebrations, the bishop asked for the prayers of the people.

At a liturgy celebrated March 16 at the chapel in Central Catholic Offices the bishop told the chancery staff that although they would be without a bishop for a while, the work of the diocese would continue through them with the help of the diocesan administrator.

"I am extremely grateful for all of the work that you have done," he told the staff, adding that while there are 30-some chancery employees in Sioux City, in Texas there are over 200. The bishop said that it always impressed him that with so few people, so much work was accomplished.

The bishop was presented with a plaque featuring a photo of the bishop's first cathedra, bishop's chair. The photo, taken by G.R. Lindblade, was encased in a wooden frame that resembles the arches of the chair itself. Embedded in the wood was a medal, the same medal the bishop himself had given all priests his first Christmas in the diocese.

Bishop DiNardo acknowledged that he wasn't good at good-byes and told the chancery staff that he had deep feelings in his heart about the diocese.

"This is God's will, the Holy Father's desire, but for Bishop Dan, it's hard to leave Northwest Iowa. God bless you," said Bishop DiNardo.

The native of Steubenville, Ohio and priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was named coadjutor for the Diocese of Sioux City on Aug. 19, 1997. His episcopal ordination was held Oct. 7 that same year. Bishop Lawrence D. Soens retired on Nov. 28, 1998. At that time, Bishop DiNardo became the head shepherd of this diocese.

The bishop left for Texas on March 23. Earlier that day at the chancery, a short prayer service was scheduled before his sendoff. He extended a blessing over the employees and the employees did so in return.

With one hand extended in the air, the employees offered a Blessing for a Traveler, "May God bless you with every heavenly blessing and give you a safe journey; wherever life leads you, may you find him there to protect you."

On March 26, upon the official welcome by the Texas diocese, the Diocese of Sioux City will be considered a vacant see. Until a new bishop is named by the pope, the diocese will be led by an administrator who will be selected by the College of Consultors, a group of diocesan priests.