Diocese extends best wishes to Bishop DiNardo

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 25, 2004

It is with a mixture of sorrow in the loss of a great leader and sincere best wishes for the future that parishioners and clergy of the Diocese of Sioux City extended their farewells to Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo. His last day as administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City is March 26 when he is officially welcomed as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

As chancellor, Msgr. Michael D. Sernett worked closely with Bishop DiNardo. He was able to witness first-hand the head shepherd's charismatic personality, describing Bishop DiNardo as a real people's bishop.

"He had a real rapport with every age group and because of that he gained so much respect," said the chancellor, who added that the bishop also gained the respect of people of various religions because of his ecumenical spirit.

Msgr. Sernett pointed out that during his tenure in the diocese the bishop was dedicated to the solid development and continual improvement of catechesis - both in parish religious education programs and Catholic schools - because it was important to him that children receive sound doctrine. Another of his priorities was the promotion of priestly vocations.

The chancellor said the bishop was a very high energy person. He was amazed that Bishop DiNardo found the time to serve on so many boards and attend countless meetings.

"He took a very special and personal interest in each entity," said Msgr. Sernett, who is among the contingency of about 30 people from the Diocese of Sioux City expected to attend the Mass of Welcoming in Houston on March 26. "He really was a bishop who knew how to lead the diocese."

Bishop Lawrence D. Soens, retired bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, pointed out that for seven years the diocese has been blessed with the gifted ministry of Bishop DiNardo, whom he described as a "most effective servant" for the church in his apostolic ministry.

"Bishop DiNardo has given endless energy and zeal in the fulfillment of the mandate and invitation given to him in the rite of ordination as bishop, namely, 'As father and a brother love all those whom God has placed in your care.' He has worked with care and consultation with the clergy. He has reached out to the poor, the infirm, the stranger and the homeless. He has encouraged the faithful and listened willingly to what they have to say. He has been tireless in his visitation of the parishes throughout the diocese," said Bishop Soens.

The senior bishop said Bishop DiNardo has been a worthy successor of the apostles. Whether he serves a diocese of 15,000 square miles with 100,000 Catholics or a diocese of 9,000 square miles with over 1 million Catholics, Bishop Soens said that a bishop is a bishop as the call to service of the Lord and church remain the same. He is confident that Bishop DiNardo will bring the same zeal to his new ministry which he generously gave to us in Northwest Iowa."I am sure that the prayers of many grateful people of the Diocese of Sioux City will accompany Bishop DiNardo as he enters into episcopal ministry for the church of Galveston/Houston," said Bishop Soens. "I, for my part, am most grateful to him for the many kindnesses he has extended to me in these past five years of retirement. May he continue for many years to give generously of his many gifts and talents to the people he serves."

Jeff Mohrhauser, chair of the corporate board from Sioux City, described Bishop DiNardo as a great leader who was extremely interested in sound management for the diocese.

"He had a willingness to involve laity in diocesan matters," he noted.

Mohrhauser said it was apparent to him that Bishop DiNardo genuinely cared about every Catholic in the diocese. He added that the bishop also had a genuine respect for people of other faiths.

Richard Montgomery, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer who serves on the diocesan corporate board, always found the bishop to be bright, energetic and personable, which combined make for a wonderful leader.

He said the diocese was fortunate to have him for seven years as he extended best wishes to the bishop.

"It is with deep regret and excitement that I wish Bishop DiNardo the best with his new appointment," said Dennis Berte, a corporate board member from Fort Dodge. "Bishop DiNardo will be sorely missed by our diocese in many, many ways."

This parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish mentioned that in the over three years he has served on the diocesan corporate board, he found the bishop to be very attentive to comments from the board members.

"The bishop was very careful not to say anything that might influence the thinking of the board," said Berte. "He was truly one that expected a working board. It's one of the most rewarding duties I have ever accepted."

Beverly Wharton, president of Briar Cliff University in Sioux City and past member of the corporate board, said that Bishop DiNardo has been a wonderful spiritual leader for the diocese. She was impressed that despite his busy schedule, he was a faithful attendee of the university's board meetings.

"He is very insightful and very articulate, so he provided tremendous support and input to the leadership of Briar Cliff University," she said. "Bishop DiNardo is a very thoughtful individual. I believe that he will take some time to get to know his new diocese. He has been exposed to diversity here in our diocese and now he will be exposed to it in a much bigger way. That will be helpful to him as he moves forward in his leadership role in the Galveston-Houston Diocese."

Bishop DiNardo's skillfulness in teaching and communicating, she added, will greatly benefit him in his new position.

Deacon Robert Lenz of Pomeroy said Bishop DiNardo did great things for the diocese.

"Speaking as a deacon, I think he has shown great support and direction for the deacon community," said the deacon.

Deacon Lenz said that the bishop's gentleness, coupled with his strong problem-solving capabilities will be an asset in his new Texas diocese.

"We are going to miss him, but I know that the spirit will help us find another good leader who will pick up and carry on his good work," said the deacon.

Father Gerald Feierfeil, pastor at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Church in Sioux City and a member of the medical ethics board at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, said that three things really stand out in what Bishop DiNardo's leadership accomplished for the diocese.

First of all, he mentioned that the bishop came to the diocese right at the time when the diocese's long-range strategic plan, Ministry 2000, was being implemented. He continued with and affirmed the plan. Second, he identified and maintained Catholic schools as a priority.

"Third, he came at a time when we were going through an enormous ethnic and cultural change of our diocese. By personal example, he helped to make us a more inclusive church - really build that into the character of our diocese," said Father Feierfeil.

In addition, he described Bishop DiNardo as very fraternal with the priests and the people.

"He is always upbeat. He engages people," said the pastor. "His love for music and love of things classical is delightful."

Many acknowledged that when the bishop came to the Diocese of Sioux City they suspected that he wouldn't be here for long as they recognized him to be an immensely-gifted leader.