Diocesan priests attend meeting about their future

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 12, 2004

The retired priests and those priests who are over 64 of the Diocese of Sioux City attended a business meeting on Aug. 2 and 3 at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb.

The meeting was to provide the priests with financial and benefit information that will affect them now and in the future.

"Many times we make assumptions that priests understand how they should be investing their own personal monies," said Royce Ranniger, director of operations for the diocese. "In many cases, we do a worse job of managing our own funds than we do a business, a school or a parish, in their case. What we do is provide them with some information and insights on financial planning in their retirement years."

On Aug. 2 there was a welcome and opening prayer given by Msgr. Roger Augustine, the diocesan administrator.

"I have been to several of the meetings. They are always informative," said Father Paul-Louis Arts, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. "It really helps one to plan ahead. Sometimes we don't think about those things. It is always a good time, an important time."

The priests along with the priests' pension board also enjoyed a dinner and presentation on Aug. 2. R.L. "Dick" Billings, chairman of the priests' pension board, began with comments and introductions.

"The dinner is a social gathering where they can get together with fellow priests that they haven't seen sometimes for a year. They also get to mingle with the priests' pension board of directors, which is important both ways. It is important for the pension board to see these people that they manage the funds for as well as for the retired priests to see these people that have the responsibility of oversight."

This year there are two board members, Mike Moore and Robert Williams, retiring from the pension board. Both men have been on the board for more than 10 years and have given a great deal of their time and treasure to the program. Ranniger noted that it was nice to be able to recognize them for their involvement.

The next morning, Aug. 3, began with a presentation about financial and benefit information. The speakers included Billings, Margaret Fuentes, director of personnel and benefits for the diocese and Dorothy Fiala, a Senior Health Insurance Program volunteer.

Fiala talked a little bit about the Medicare updates. There is a new Medicare prescription card so she explained that to the priests.

"I think sometimes it is an us and them kind of thing," said Ranniger of the relationship of the priests with the diocese. "I want them to feel free to ask us questions and be forthright with issues that are important to them. Our goal is if there are issues that are important to them, we should be dealing with them. That is really what the meeting is for."

Following the financial presentation, Father John O'Connor of the Diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand, led a spiritual reflection.

"It's just a way of them being able to reenergize themselves spiritually because even though they are retired, they continue to do things other than having the responsibility of a parish or school," said Ranniger.

Msgr. Mervin Hood commented that the talk about poverty, chastity and obedience and how it affects the priests' present day living was very good.

Before heading back to their home or parish, the priests celebrated Mass together and enjoyed lunch in the Monterey Room at the Marina. Msgr. Augustine was the celebrant for the Mass.

According to Ranniger, another reason for having the business meeting is to "continue to thank them for the service that they have provided to the diocese. Even though many of them are retired, they still provide a service to us. They fill in for active priests."

"I thought the meeting was very good," said Msgr. Hood, who now lives in Fort Dodge. "It got right to the point. I think that our managers are doing a wonderful job for the retirement fund. I am sharing in the retirement fund now so it is wonderful. Overall, I really enjoyed the meeting. Of course, it is also good to get together with the priests, too."