Monsignors reflect on work at chancery, plans for future

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Jan. 18, 2007

As their service in full-time ministry at Central Catholic Offices in Sioux City came to a close, two priests - Msgr. Michael D. Sernett and Msgr. Roger Augustine - reflected on their time at the chancery and spoke of plans for the future.

In early December, Bishop R. Walker Nickless announced the appointment of Msgr. R. Mark Duchaine as the vicar general and moderator of the curia and that of Dr. David Lopez as chancellor of the diocese. Those appointments took effect Jan. 15.

Msgr. Michael D. Sernett served as the diocesan chancellor since 1998. He was also appointed vicar general in 1998 and served in that capacity until 2004 when the diocese became vacant due to the transfer of Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo. Upon the ordination of Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Msgr. Sernett was reappointed to the office of vicar general.

For the next couple of weeks, Msgr. Sernett will spend time with his family in Pocahontas. After Feb. 1, he plans to go to St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., for a sabbatical, auditing classes on liturgy, the Eucharist and taking workshops.

"I would like to renew myself for pastoral activity this summer," he said. "The bishop has stated that I would be assigned to a parish in July and this will help me try to get back in the pastoral mode. I would like some spiritual renewal in my own life so I will hopefully be able to serve the people better."

Msgr. Roger Augustine, who served as diocesan administrator for nearly two years until the ordination of Bishop Walker in January last year, had served as vicar general from 1984 to 2004 and was reappointed to that office with the ordination of the bishop. He also served as the chancellor from 1986 to 1987 and has been a judge at the Tribunal since 1983.

For the past year, Msgr. Augustine has been available to Bishop Nickless to answer questions that he had about the diocese. He will continue to serve as senior pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City, an appointment he received from the bishop last July. He will also continue to serve on the Priests Pension Board and will continue to represent the bishop on the Catholic Charities Board.

While he will not move into a new ministry, Msgr. Augustine mentioned that he will now be free to do more pastoral work at Blessed Sacrament.

During his time as administrator, he was appreciative that the staff of the chancery continued in their commitment in work for the church.

"Even though we didn't have a bishop, they realized that the work of the church must go on," said Msgr. Augustine. "They were very supportive and willing to do the things that were necessary."

In his time as administrator, he said he was most appreciative of the help he received from Msgr. Sernett.

"We worked together very well, established a friendship and were happy to have served to the best of our ability," said Msgr. Augustine. "I am also happy for the faith of the people. The people of the diocese needed a shepherd, but I think their faith was nourished well. They continued to grow in their faith. The people's faith was strong and the same could be said for the staff here."

Knowing that he was elected as administrator from his peers, the priests who serve on the College of Consultors, was a humbling experience for him.

Even prior to his appointment as chancellor, Msgr. Sernett has played a role in the diocesan offices, serving at the Tribunal and serving as vice chancellor for the diocese since his return from Rome in 1975. In 1984, he received his first pastorate at St. Joseph Church in Neptune. He continued with work at the Tribunal - either as a first instance court or as a judge of the appellate court - as he served as pastor at St. James in Le Mars, St. Mary's in Hawarden and Nativity in Sioux City. His work at the Tribunal continued after his appointment as chancellor and is expected to resume following his new assignment this July.

Msgr. Sernett remembers that upon his appointment as chancellor, a fellow priest told him "that whatever you do, respond to the priests and their needs as soon as you possibly can. Whenever a need came or a telephone call came, I tried to work with the priests and help them with whatever their issues were at the time. I felt I had a good working relationship with the priests, the religious and laity of the diocese."

In his time at the chancery he said he was encouraged by the dedication of the priests, religious and laity of the diocese in their parish work and as they served on various diocesan boards.

He extended gratitude to Msgr. Augustine and noted that they worked well together during the two years the diocese was a vacant see.

"I've enjoyed my working relationship with the members of the staff here in Central Catholic Offices. I learned a great deal and found it to be a growing experience," said Msgr. Sernett. "I hope in some way I was able to be a help not only to the priests, but to the religious and laity of the diocese as they served the church. Working together on a team was really a highlight."

While the two priests say work at the chancery can be challenging at times, they found the work to be exciting, rewarding and have the capacity to rely on inspiration from the Holy Spirit.