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Guy Doud to share message at diocesan locations

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
(Email Katie)

The “molder of dreams,” Guy Doud, will return to the Diocese of Sioux City this spring to share his message with students, teachers and parents.

Doud was the speaker at the 2008 Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Education in Sioux City.

“We have had several requests to bring him back, specifically to talk to our students in Catholic schools,” said Kristie Arlt, director of communications and stewardship for the diocese. “He has such a wonderful, uplifting, faith-driven message. It is so important for our students and parents to hear that message.”

He was the 1986 National Teacher of the Year Recipient and the author of five award-winning books. He has spoken to thousands of groups delivering a message of life, love, family, relationships, success and dreaming dreams.

“His former students have referred to him as the molder of dreams because he is so passionate about children and helping mold their futures as best that he can,” said Arlt. “He will talk about his own story and his personal journey to Catholicism.”

Presentation sites
Doud will visit three locations in the diocese and offer two presentations at each site. The afternoon presentations will be for students and the evening presentations will be for parents, teachers and religious education students.

“One school in particular wanted to bring him back, but instead of one school we asked the Catholic School Foundation if they would be willing to pick up the tab to bring him back and have him at different locations. That way it opens up the opportunity to all of our schools,” said Arlt.

On March 31 he will give presentations in the Bishop Heelan High School gym. The student presentation will be at 2 p.m. and the evening presentation will be at 6:30 p.m.

A group of students from Gehlen Catholic in Le Mars will be traveling to Sioux City for the afternoon presentation.

Lisa Niebuhr, development director at Gehlen, said that listening to Doud’s message at the Bishop’s Dinner touched her as a parent.

“I can see students benefiting from his message,” she said. “At one time all of us were like Guy. We at Gehlen hope this will be a great opportunity for our students to realize that beauty is more than skin deep and each one of us is called by God.”

Niebuhr said that Doud makes the audience feel comfortable and brings a heartfelt message along with laughter. People’s schedules are busy, but she recommends taking the time to attend and listen to his message.

On April 1 he will visit Algona and give presentations at St. Cecelia Church. The student presentation for Bishop Garrigan students and others will be at 1:30 p.m. Parents, teachers and religious education students are invited to attend the evening presentation at 5 p.m.

Gene Meister, president of Bishop Garrigan High School, said he was pleased and excited to have Doud speak in Algona. He heard Doud speak at the Bishop’s Dinner and thought Doud did an “excellent job.”

“It is good for us to hear a Catholic message from Guy, who went through the process as an educator and a convert,” he said. “He really has a positive message. This time of year it is a good thing for us to step back and have someone else make that statement. Guy will do it in a very uplifting and professional way.”

The highlight of Doud’s talk, said Meister, is the message of his life – challenges in childhood and Doud’s impact on his students.

“It is a strong message that parents, students and educators need to hear,” he said. “We all need to hear his message.”

The third presentation will be held April 2 in the Carroll Kuemper High School gym. The student presentation will be held at 2 p.m. and the presentation for parents, teachers and religious education students will be at 5 p.m.

Other schools wanting to bring students to the afternoon presentations are asked to contact the host schools to inform them how many students will be attending.

“The individual schools can pick which location is most convenient for them,” said Arlt. “We are inviting all the schools to travel and bring students to the afternoon sessions.”

Sponsors
The presentations are being sponsored by CNOS, Mike Hurlburt, Allen Willett and the Catholic School Foundation.

Niebuhr thanked the Catholic School Foundation and the diocese for making this visit possible.
The events are free of charge because of the donations, Arlt pointed out.

For more information contact Kristie Arlt at the Diocese of Sioux City at (712) 233-7513.