Priests of diocese excited to see former bishop

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
March 20, 2008

With the visit of Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo days away, priests of the Diocese of Sioux City are looking forward to seeing the former bishop.

Msgr. Mark Duchaine, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the diocese, commented that he is personally excited about the return of Cardinal DiNardo to the diocese.

"It serves as a means of validating the good work that has been accomplished within the Diocese of Sioux City - by its priests and deacons, religious and laity - throughout our entire history," said the vicar general. "That one who came to us as a young bishop and whose training in the art of pastor and shepherd began here has now been elevated to the office of cardinal is a tremendous boost to our overall sense of esteem."

Father Paul-Louis Arts, rector of the Cathedral in Sioux City, stated that Cardinal DiNardo felt comfortable in the Sioux City Diocese and called it home.

"I am very happy that he found time to come back because we all want to see him. He wants to come back and see everyone," said the priest. "This was home for seven years. It is an important part of his journey in life."

The rector said that the cardinal was a joyful and cheerful person to work with and found him easy to work for.

Msgr. Michael Sernett, pastor at Immaculate Conception in Graettinger, was chancellor and vicar general while the cardinal was in the diocese. He said that working with the cardinal was an enjoyable experience. He was glad that he was able to do what he could to help the cardinal during his tenure in the diocese.

"What an opportunity for us to see him now as a cardinal having been our bishop," said the priest. "For me it is going to personally be great to see him once again. It is great for the diocese. The people loved him. It will be nice to celebrate with him and see him again."

Father Jeff Schleisman, pastor at St. Mary's in Larchwood and Holy Name in Rock Rapids, was the first priest that Cardinal DiNardo ordained. He is excited to see him for the first time as a cardinal.

"He was a great mentor and helped me as a seminarian. Oftentimes he would take time and meet with me personally - for lunch or in his office," said the priest. "After I was ordained, I always felt that he was concerned and made himself available to me as a new priest."

Msgr. Roger Augustine, the senior priest at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, was vicar general while Cardinal DiNardo was bishop and enjoyed working with him. He commented that the cardinal was personable and "very much concerned about the church. He was concerned about his priests and got to know them well."

"I think it is an honor to the diocese for him to come back and take the time out," said Msgr. Augustine. "This is where he was first bishop. He remembers the diocese well and has fond memories."

Father Jerry Feierfeil, pastor at Nativity in Sioux City, reiterated excitement about seeing and talking to Cardinal DiNardo. Nativity is the parish where Cardinal DiNardo was ordained a bishop in 1997.

"In his years of being our bishop, I had a very cordial relationship with him. He was here for many things," said Father Feierfeil. "I always enjoyed his presence."

He said that Cardinal DiNardo was an "extremely easy" bishop for priests to work with and receptive to any concerns.

"He was always willing to make himself available if there was an issue I wanted to talk to him about," said the priest. "He treated every one of us as a co-worker, as a brother priest. I never had a sense of distance between his office and my office as priest. He bridged that so gracefully."

Father Feierfeil was able to attend the consistory in Rome in November and was impressed with what he saw and experienced.

Along with many of the priests of the diocese, Msgr. Duchaine, was not surprised when the news of Cardinal DiNardo's elevation was announced, however, the timing was a surprise.

"I thought it might take a little longer, but I certainly thought that he had all of the necessary experience and qualifications," added Father Feierfeil.

Father Arts noted that the elevation is a statement to the cardinal's abilities as a person and partly due to the fact that the cardinal is in the fourth largest diocese in the United States.

"I was very excited and amazed that he was elevated," said Father Schleisman.

Msgr. Sernett also was not surprised. He mentioned that when he wrote to Cardinal DiNardo he told him that he would "look great in red someday. I was delighted to hear he was named cardinal because I know he will represent, not only the church of the United States, but have great input for the Holy Father."

Msgr. Duchaine recently spoke to Cardinal DiNardo and mentioned that the cardinal is "excited to come back to spend a day with us and we are to have him here. He is really looking forward to this."