Diocese hires Kristie Arlt of Sioux City as director of communications and stewardship

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 5, 2007

Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City has announced the appointment of Kristie Arlt of Sioux City as the director of communications and stewardship for the diocese.

Arlt will work with the bishop as well as parishes and schools across the diocese to develop communications programs that promote the growth of the Catholic Church in northwest Iowa and will lead development efforts for the diocese. She will also serve as spokesperson for the diocese and work with local and regional media on stories dealing with the church.

The graduate of South Sioux City High School in South Sioux City, Neb., and Morningside College in Sioux City said she was overjoyed with the appointment.

"I feel completely blessed. This is a wonderful opportunity for me," she said. "It feels like a natural fit for me. My husband and I have such a strong faith, along with the rest of our extended family. We are all so proud that I get this opportunity to help with the diocese and help foster the relationship with the community and parishioners."

Arlt, who has worked for the last year as the marketing coordinator at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb.; said she is passionate about Catholic teaching and supporting the faith.

She pointed out that she recently had her first child, 3-month-old James, and in him she sees God.

"It reinforces to me how important being a good steward to the church is and how the Catholic faith will guide him as it has guided me throughout my whole life and my family," said Arlt.

Bishop Nickless said Arlt will be a welcome addition to the chancery staff.

"Kristie's talents are a perfect fit for the diocese," he said. "Her track record in communications and fund-raising are skills that will serve our needs in the areas of development and communications well. I look forward to working with her and I am impressed with her strong desire to contribute positively to the work of the church and the mission that Jesus Christ has given us."

Arlt's first day in her new position with the diocese will be April 18.

She noted that while she will have many duties upon her arrival, planning the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education will be one of her first orders of business.

"I really want to get to know the people of the diocese - first and foremost the people in the central office and then I'd like to travel out to the different churches within the diocese and get to know the clergy and some of the people," said Arlt. "This is such a large diocese that Bishop Nickless is in charge of so I'd like to get to know the people and begin working on a strategic development, public relations and marketing plan to help support the wonderful work that the diocese is already doing."

She said she is fortunate to be stepping into a system that is working so well and has "so many wonderful things in place. To work for Bishop Nickless is an incredible honor."

Prior to her employment at Wayne State, Arlt served for five years as vice president of development and marketing at Jackson Recovery Center in Sioux City. In that role, she directed all fund raising efforts including annual appeals, grant writing, capital campaigns, coordinating special events and assorted marketing duties such as writing press releases.

"I started many auxiliaries to support the women and children's center and adolescent center," she noted.

At Morningside College in Sioux City she majored in mass communications and minored in sociology. While a student, she worked behind the scenes at KTIV-TV in Sioux City and interned there as a general assignment reporter. After college she worked there as the morning weather anchor.

Arlt and her husband, Justin, are parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City.