Bishop Schnurr keynotes bishop's dinner

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 21, 2004

Bishop Dennis Schnurr was the keynote speaker at the Eighth Annual Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education held Oct. 17 at the Sioux City Convention Center.

The event drew just under 600 people from across the Diocese of Sioux City.

Father Al McCoy once again served as this year's master of ceremonies. In opening comments, he pointed out that this was the first time in 102 years that the Diocese of Sioux City was without a bishop. He assured those gathered that things were running smoothly under the leadership of Msgr. Roger Augustine, diocesan administrator and Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor.

The evening opened with a few words from Dr. Gerald and Sheryl McGowan, who served as chairpersons of the dinner. Both are products of Catholic education, Dr. Gerald graduating from Heelan High School in Sioux City and Sheryl, receiving her education at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda. Their own children were educated at Heelan.

"It is a great honor and our privilege to stand this evening with you," noted Dr. McGowan. "We are grateful for both your attendance and your enduring support of Catholic education. It is a thrill to realize that those gathered here this evening share a distinguished history of supporting Catholic education. Our families and our communities have been blessed with great schools and wonderful teachers."

The McGowans extended a thank you to all of the businesses, individuals and organizations that supported the dinner as well as the bishop's dinner committee and the many volunteers who helped in various capacities.

The doctor pointed out that the priests and sisters who helped to educate him through the years taught the "three Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic. They also taught us religion, reverence and respect. It is the latter three Rs that are so important in parochial school education. Our children and now our grandchildren are enjoying the many benefits of our fine schools and dedicated teachers."

His wife acknowledged that when Bishop Daniel DiNardo, former bishop of Sioux City, had asked them to serve as this year's chair couple they agreed without hesitation.

"We simply believe our Catholic schools are among the most important institutions in today's world. Protecting, promoting and preserving these institutions is more challenging with each generation. It seems each generation is confronted with new challenges in our Catholic schools," she said. "Some are reminiscent of those faced by our grandparents and parents. Others are new and unique. We applaud those who have assisted in these efforts in the past and those who are doing so now."

While they will always face challenges, Sheryl McGowan added that with charity, courage and conviction strong Catholic schools will remain for future generations.

A gourmet dinner featuring of tenderloin filet and salmon followed the opening prayer by Father John McGuirk, who is a board member of the Catholic School Foundation.

In his keynote presentation, Bishop Schnurr expressed pleasure in speaking at the bishop's dinner.

"In the years that I was here, I experienced nothing but kindness. It was also this diocese that provided me, got me on the road to Catholic education," he said. "This is a diocese that has always been dedicated to Catholic education and Catholic education in such a way that the whole diocese shares the support of Catholic schools. To everyone in this room, I owe a debt of gratitude."

The 55-year-old bishop was raised in Hospers and educated in Spalding Catholic Schools. He studied for the priesthood at the North American College and Gregorian University, both in Rome. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City in 1974. After a number of assignments in the diocese, he was sent for graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. He then served the Diocese of Sioux City in numerous roles including vice chancellor, chancellor, finance officer and judge of the Diocesan Tribunal.

In 1985, the priest of the diocese left for Washington, D.C. where he served a number of prominent roles including General Secretary of the United States Catholic Conference and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pope John Paul II named him a monsignor in 1993 on the occasion of World Youth Day, an event for which he served as the national executive director. He was ordained the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth on April 2, 2001.

His mother, who continues to reside in Hospers, and siblings were on hand for the dinner.

Bishop Schnurr's presentation focused on two key elements - why do Catholic schools exist in the first place and why are Catholic schools needed more now than ever.

"The opportunities I have had in my life, I never anticipated," acknowledged the bishop.

He pointed to the strengths of Catholic schools in having the ability to provide solid academic building blocks that students use to build their lives.

"Not only that, but they are taught skills to assemble those blocks and when necessary, to rearrange, reassemble and to build anew when necessary," said Bishop Schnurr. "In short, our schools have come to appreciate that the learning process is never static, never something that is put behind us. It is always dynamic."

And while strong academic building blocks are important, he stressed that there is something far more fundamental that must be in place if students are to build a life that is meaningful to them and enable them to contribute the best they can to society.

"This evening we come together to celebrate our Catholic schools because they help our students to recognize, explore and address the most important question of their lives and that is 'Who am I?'" said Bishop Schnurr.

He explained that Catholic schools help students understand what it means to be created in God's image. This, in turn, helps them understand who they are and achieve the capacity to live life to the fullest. The bishop added that Christ wants people to have joy-filled lives, which can only be found by being thoroughly steeped in the teachings of Christ.

"Our Catholic schools are engaged in the enterprise that leads and guides our young people in the adventure to discover who they are. The more students learn about one another and the world around them, the more they learn about the God that created all things," said Bishop Schnurr. "And the more they learn about God the creator, the more they learn about what it means to be created in God's image, the more they learn about who they are and the more they learn about themselves."

He pointed out that prior to WWII, Catholic schools operated in a Protestant culture in the U.S., but it was still a Christian culture. Starting in the 1960s was the onset of a secular culture. With that in mind, the bishop said Catholic schools are all the more important.

Bishop Schnurr thanked the people for their commitment to Catholic education.

Prior to Bishop's Schnurr's presentation, Kevin Vickery, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools; and Msgr. Augustine, presented awards.

Vickery pointed out that the Leadership in Catholic Education Award was renamed the Msgr. James K. Lafferty Leadership Award.

"Msgr. Lafferty's name was synonymous with Catholic education in the entire state of Iowa," said Msgr. Augustine. "When it came to Catholic schools, there was no stronger proponent than Msgr. Lafferty." Msgr. Lafferty, who died Sept. 21, had served as superintendent of Catholic schools for 22 years and was instrumental in state legislation that positively impacted parochial schools.

Karen Waldschmitt of Remsen was named the first recipient of the Msgr. James K. Lafferty Leadership Award. She has held numerous leadership positions at Remsen St. Mary's and with the Catholic School Foundation. Waldschmitt chaired the 2002 bishop's dinner. She presently is a member of the St. Mary's parish finance committee and is a lay director for the parish.

Upon receiving the award, she said the award belonged to everyone in the room - "parents and grandparents who provide Catholic education for their children and grandchildren, many times at great sacrifice. It goes for the teachers and administrators, who make it possible for us to operate a Catholic school system. We know that many times they sacrifice salary for the benefit of our children. It goes to our clergy and religious, who are always prepared to guide us and create that environment that we need. They serve us in innumerable ways. Finally, it goes to the people who work behind-the-scenes, who are always there when we need them. Those who generously contribute of their time, talent and treasure."

Waldschmitt pointed out that she was fortunate to have the opportunity and circumstances in her life that enabled her to support and further Catholic education.

"I am particularly honored to receive this award as the first recipient under its new name honoring Msgr. Lafferty," said Waldschmitt, who added that their mothers were acquaintances. "I also personally had the privilege of working with Msgr. Lafferty on many legislative issues surrounding education. I have had first-hand experience, knowing what a capable and dedicated individual he was."

She pledged her continued support to the mission that everyone gathered at the dinner shared.

Five teachers also received special recognition as they were honored with the Bishop Lawrence D. Soens Excellence in Education Awards.

"Early on in his tenure as the ordinary of the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop DiNardo expressed the idea of giving special awards to outstanding classroom teachers in the Catholic schools of the diocese. In 1999, generous contributors established an endowment that is used to fund the teacher awards each year," explained Vickery.

Msgr. Augustine presented the awards to Ryan Berg, a teacher at St. Mary High School in Storm Lake; Karen Fry, a teacher at Mater Dei School in Sioux City; Nancy Geisinger, a teacher at Sacred Heart School in Spencer; Dee Nelson, a teacher at St. Edmond Elementary in Fort Dodge; and Carol Sundquist, a teacher at Holy Cross School in Sioux City.