Diocesan staff member says farewell

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
July 22, 2004

The director of the Office of Faith Formation and vice-chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux City has decided to move on to another stage in her life.

Kay Morrissey has worked for the diocese for the last 12 and a half years.

"During personal reflection time this summer, I realized it was time to resign," said Morrissey. "It is time for me to go on. I am exploring some opportunities. I have no definite plans at this time."

She began her work in the diocese as director of adult and family ministries and has continued under that main title but taken on other responsibilities.

"I came in January of 1992, when the diocese had recently merged two offices - adult spiritual formation and family life," said Morrissey. "So it became known as adult and family ministries."

When she had been with the diocese for about seven months, she took on the task of being the coordinator of the long-range planning process for parishes.

Through her position Morrissey was able to work with lay ministry formation, marriage preparation, adult faith sharing resources, Beginning Experience, BeFriender ministry, planning and networking pastoral ministers. Her position also allowed her to help revamp marriage preparation for couples in which one or both people have been previously married.

"During the past few years, we've tried to share the message of the US Bishops' pastoral, Our Hearts Were Burning, which emphasizes the place of adult formation in the life of the church," said Morrissey.

Also through her job at the chancery, she was able to work on different Masses and projects such as planning days for the chancery, the ordination of Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, the centennial events and Bishop Soens 50th anniversary.

"It has been a tremendous opportunity for me to use my God-given gifts in response to my baptismal call," said Morrissey. "It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet so many fine people in the field every time I went out for town hall meetings. In addition to the blessings of the many people I've met in the field, I've also been blessed with an excellent team in the Adult and Family Ministries Office."

Morrissey commented that she will take with her a lot of memories that she treasures very deeply.

"I would like to say thank you to all of the people of God in this diocese for giving me the opportunity to serve," concluded Morrissey.