Deacon Lenz serves as outreach worker to retired priests of diocese

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 10, 2007

The Diocese of Sioux City attempts to meet or address all of the needs of its retired priests through an outreach program that centers on personal visits.

Deacon Bob Lenz serves as an outreach coordinator for retired priests of the diocese. In this role, he looks after the priests' spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing.

"To put it into simple terms, I do a lot of visiting with the retired priests to see what concerns they may have or I may help them find a certain resource," noted the deacon. "If I don't have an answer, I try to find it for them."

While Lenz is a member of the staff of the diocese, it's more than a job, this is a form of ministry for the deacon.

Currently there are 43 priests who are retired and living in the diocese. Deacon Lenz visits the majority of them. The frequency of the visits depends on the situation.

The deacon mentioned that he is supposed to see them twice a year, but many priests receive quarterly visits and some have monthly or even more visits. For instance, if a priest is going through some type of transition such as looking to move to a new home or if they are experiencing a health problem the visits may be more frequent.

In many ways, his job is to offer a listening ear or pastoral presence to the priests.

"I consider myself a pretty good listener. I think that has been my greatest asset in this type of ministry. I listen and maybe at the end of a conversation I will have something to offer," said Deacon Lenz, who assists with ministry at parishes in Manson, Pomeroy and Pocahontas. "My biggest gift is being a listener."

Prior to becoming an outreach worker for the diocese, as part of his deacon duties he had experience with visiting parishioners in nursing homes and the homebound.

According to Margaret Fuentes, director of the Office of Personnel and Employee Benefits for the diocese, mentioned that it was the suggestion of the Priests' Pension Board several years ago that the diocese hire an outreach worker.

"It was the feeling of the board that we did a good job of watching over the plan, a good job watching over investments but they wanted to do more and they truly wanted to ensure that each man was taken care of," she explained. "By having a personal liaison, that makes a huge difference."

Fuentes stressed the fact that it would be impossible to place a value on what these men have given to the church and the people of God, so this is just one way to show them appreciation for all they have done.

In the past, along with Deacon Lenz, Father Gerald Hartz helped with this ministry before his own retirement.

She mentioned that she has heard very positive feedback about this outreach program.

Oftentimes during the visits to retired priests he socializes with them, shares a meal with them and prays with them if they wish. Most of the time, it's merely being there that helps.

As a representative of the diocese, Deacon Lenz mentioned that through his visits the priests realize that the diocese and the bishop do care about them.

Some of the things he has had to follow-up on include insurance questions or if they are looking for a new place to live. The visits also provide a chance for the deacon to make sure the living conditions are acceptable.

"Basically, I am a go-between for the bishop, the Priests' Pension Board and the retired priests," said Deacon Lenz, who was hired as the outreach worker in 2001. He reports to the Priests' Pension Board.

These visits are also helpful for the deacon. He mentioned that he has learned a great deal from the wisdom of the retired priests and his own spirituality has been enhanced.

"I have formed a close friendship with many of them," he added. "Through these years I've gotten to know a lot of them pretty well so when we lose one to death, I feel a real loss."

Through this outreach, the deacon mentioned that it has broadened his areas of interest and his knowledge of the elderly and elderly issues.