Administrators reflect on prayer and forgiveness

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 27, 2005

Administrators from the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City had a chance to take a step back from the hectic pace of life and focus their energy on their own spiritual lives at a retreat designed just for them.

The retreat was held Oct. 16 to 18 at the American Martyrs Retreat House in Cedar Falls.

"The purpose for this retreat is to allow for us to take the time as a community of administrators to build a sense of spiritual connectedness - to take the time out of the busyness of our ministry in Catholic education to connect one-on-one back with God and to remember to take time to renew our skills in setting ourselves up as people of faith," said Kevin Vickery, superintendent of Catholic schools.

The retreat master was Father David Hemann, pastor at Sacred Heart in Ida Grove and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Holstein. He centered his message on the power of prayer and forgiveness.

"He took us through the many different kinds of prayer settings that we can use to enhance our own prayer lives," noted Vickery.

Some of the prayer forms that they addressed were the Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Devina, prayer through music and prayer through adoration.

"Part of it was prayer of being in God's space," said Vickery.

Sister Delores Hannon, president of St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge, said it was a fine retreat that enabled her to pause and reflect on her own life.

"It gave me time to enrich my own relationship with God. Hopefully that makes me a better administrator," she said. "We had some input and time for quiet prayer - a whole combination of things."

Jean Hyslop, principal at Emmetsburg Catholic and Sts. Peter and Paul in West Bend, described it as one of the most refreshing retreats that she has ever attended. It was a great opportunity for quiet time to pray as well as build community with other administrators.

"It's important to stop and really think about what's important in our lives," she said. "Father David talked about the pearls in our lives and how they help us to become stronger in our faith. He asked us to really think about our pearls and to be thankful and praise God for what we have."

The retreat master had told them that sometimes people spend too much time asking the Lord for things rather than remembering to give him thanks and praise.

"He also talked about forgiving others and working toward reconciliation with others - not letting anger and hatred take over our hearts," noted Hyslop. "He also shared his singing ministry with us. That was really special, too."

Ron Olberding, principal at Sacred Heart Grade School in Spencer and St. Mary's Grade School in Storm Lake, liked the message sent by Father Hemann - that people need to forgive and need to pray more.

Father Hemann, noted Olberding, gave talks and played music.

"Father Hemann did an awesome job. It was very inspiring," said Olberding. "It was good to be with the other administrators to share how things are going and learn about what other schools are doing or not doing."

Olberding mentioned that after the busyness of the start of the school year, this was a good time to take some time for the spiritual nourishment.

"We've gotten the school year off to a great start and this gives us an opportunity to fill our spiritual gas cans so we have enough spiritual gas to get to the end of the school year," added Vickery.

He stressed the fact that the diocese is truly blessed to have Father Hemann, who was able to facilitate such a powerful retreat experience.