People from Sioux City Diocese comment on bishop's welcome in Texas diocese

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 1, 2004

Not all of the 1,000 people present at Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo's Mass of Welcome in the Galveston-Houston Diocese were strangers as about 40 people from the Diocese of Sioux City were on hand for the March 26 liturgy.

Bishop Lawrence D. Soens, retired bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, was one of 29 bishops who attended the ceremony. And of the more than 200 priests in attendance, 19 were from this diocese.

Msgr. R. Mark Duchaine, judicial vicar of the Tribunal and pastor at St. Mary Church in Mapleton, described it as a wonderful occasion, "a church filled with very welcoming people - priests, bishops, laity. The hospitality of Texas shown through in the warmth of the people, especially at the reception."

He said they appeared to be a very thoughtful people who were happy to have Bishop DiNardo with them. At the same time, Msgr. Duchaine added, they were respectful of the people of the Diocese of Sioux City who were sorry to see him leave.

"Knowing that we had a hand in forming him as the bishop he is now - preparing him for the much more complex and difficult duties that will be his in Galveston-Houston - is something that we can take pleasure in," said Msgr. Duchaine.

He mentioned that a two-minute portion of Bishop DiNardo's homily was delivered in Spanish. As the bishop spoke in Spanish, Monsignor Duchaine happened to see how the eyes of Hispanic parishioners in the front pew lit up. This was an important gesture, noted the Iowa priest, as the Texas diocese consists of nearly 50 percent Spanish-speaking people.

Father Paul-Louis Arts, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, also spoke of the hospitality offered to the people of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"During the service, they thanked us," he noted. "Bishop Fiorenza was very gracious. I think he is very excited to have Bishop DiNardo as a coadjutor. It was a good experience for us from the diocese."

He pointed out that representatives from various entities of the Galveston-Houston Diocese were in attendance as were area civic leaders.

"Our trip to Houston was bittersweet for many of us. Our diocese will miss the gifted and charismatic figure we have had for our shepherd for the last 6 1/2 years. I will miss assisting him as deacon at daily Mass as he unpacked the scriptures and we shared Eucharist together. We will miss him," said Deacon Larry Sitzman, who attended the Mass of Welcome in Houston. "There was also a joy in seeing Bishop DiNardo being called to serve in the larger church."

He pointed out that as the nuncio read the words from the Holy Father in Rome, there was a feeling of unique connectedness not only to Rome but also to 2000 years of sacred tradition in which Catholics experience.

Sherri Rossiter, the bishop's secretary in Sioux City; Michael Willis, diocesan director of worship; and Sister Joan Stoffel, diocesan director of curriculum and former diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, were gift bearers for the Mass of Welcome.

"I was fortunate to make the trip to Houston and attend the Welcoming Mass for Bishop DiNardo. I had been working with the Diocese of Galveston-Houston since the announcement in January on various needs pertaining to the transition, such as invitation list, bishop's office needs, schedules. On Tuesday, I received an e-mail from the Diocese asking me if I would be a gift bearer in the Mass for Bishop. I was overwhelmed and felt so honored to be asked. It really meant a lot to me to be an active participant in this Mass," said Rossiter.

She described it as a bittersweet moment. Rossiter worked for Bishop DiNardo since September, 1999 and noted that she enjoyed getting to know him as a bishop and as a human being.

"I feel such a loss, not just for a wonderful boss but for all the people of the diocese and the good work that he did as our bishop," said Rossiter.

Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor of the diocese, said the liturgy was a nice tribute and welcome for Bishop DiNardo.

"In listening to his homily, we were certainly reinforced concerning the gifts of Bishop DiNardo which he is taking to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston that will be sorely missed here in the Diocese of Sioux City. Their gain is our loss," he said.

Margaret Fuentes, diocesan director of personnel and employee benefits, said it was a tremendous honor to be able to attend the Mass and represent the Diocese of Sioux City.

"The people of Galveston-Houston cannot possibly know yet what a gift they have in Bishop DiNardo, but they will come to know what a gift his presence and leadership will be for them," she said. "It's very difficult to say good-bye to him, but we have to do that and trust that the Holy Father will find the appropriate person to lead us in the future as well."

Fuentes mentioned that Bishop Fiorenza offered some wonderful comments for the people of the diocese and sensed that he knew how difficult it was for the chancery staff to see Bishop DiNardo go.