Fr. Cecil Friedmann to be honored at Bishop's Dinner

September 7, 2006

The 10th Annual Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools will feature a new award created to honor a priest or woman religious who have made significant contributions to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City. The first recipient of the award is long-time Catholic educator Father Cecil H. Friedmann, now retired and living in Algona. The Bishop's Dinner, featuring EWTN journalist and author Raymond Arroyo, will be held at the Sioux City Convention Center on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Father Friedmann is a native of Alton. He is a graduate of St. Mary School in Alton, Trinity College in Sioux City and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. The 80-year-old Father Friedman was ordained to the priesthood in 1950 by Bishop Joseph Mueller.

He began his work in Catholic schools in Fort Dodge in 1951 when he served on the faculty of Corpus Christi High School, the predecessor of St. Edmond Catholic Schools. In 1956, Father Friedmann moved to Le Mars Gehlen where he served not only as teacher and principal, but also had interest and involvement in many student activities. Father Friedmann's close association with the Algona community began in 1962 when he was named principal of the Garrigan school system. Three years later, he was named superintendent of Garrigan and served in that capacity for 24 years. In total, Father Friedmann spent 27 years at Algona Garrigan. After leaving Garrigan in 1989, he gave assistance to Spalding Catholic High School in Granville in their guidance department. Father Friedmann also served as President of the Granville Spalding system for one year.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless says Father Friedmann's service to Catholic schools is a wonderful testament to a priest who understood the value of a Christ-centered education. "Father Friedmann's school ministry has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children," said Bishop Nickless. "The Diocese of Sioux City is blessed to have a priest like Fr. Friedmann and it is a special honor to recognize him at this year's Bishop's Dinner."

Father Friedmann acknowledged there were many colleagues who helped him along the way including former Bishop Joseph Mueller and long time Superintendent of Schools Msgr. James K. Lafferty, both of whom are deceased. "Bishop Mueller loved Catholic schools and fostered the growth of the inter-parochial schools in the diocese and influenced the entire diocesan family to be supportive, said Father Freidmann. "With Msgr. Lafferty, any piece of legislation that impacted Catholic schools had his fingerprints on it. Both Bishop Mueller and Msgr. Lafferty were wonderful role models and colleagues."

During his 40-year ministry in Catholic schools, Father Friedmann also had the honor to work with sisters from five different religious congregations, along with numerous priests of the diocese and dedicated lay staff and teachers. The priests, sisters and lay staff created an excellent educational atmosphere for students. Father Friedmann also noted that public school administrators routinely invited him to their meetings and were always interested and supportive of the work being done in Catholic schools.

During a four-decade career in Catholic schools, Father Friedmann said he was constantly reminded of the goodness of God. "When I look back and see how some of those young men and women have become such caring, productive citizens, it gives me cause for great joy. I was honored to work in Catholic schools and encourage parents to seriously pray and consider a Catholic education for their children."

The Bishop's Dinner supports more than 6,000 students who attend Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. Tickets are priced at $125 each with $85 of each ticket returned to the Catholic school of the buyer's choice. Tickets are now available by calling the Central Catholic offices at (712) 233-7524.

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