Fewer priests = Holy Trinity clergy adds Humboldt to assignments

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

When the priest assignments took effect in July, the number of priests serving in parish assignments within the Diocese of Sioux City saw a decline.

Working with pastoral planning and as a member of the priest personnel board, Msgr. Kevin McCoy said the committees months ago reviewed upcoming retirements for this summer. He could have been one of them.

“Looking at the situation, the need and the fact that we weren’t going to be ordaining a priest this summer, I thought I feel well enough to stay on and continue to work for another year as our policy allows. If you want to stay on beyond 70, you can do it with the bishop’s permission and they review it one year at a time,” noted the priest who not only serves as pastor of the 2,500 households Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County but added another parish. 

He also remains one of two vicars general of the diocese.

Humboldt St. Mary ChurchMsgr. McCoy pointed out through the years other priests have worked beyond 70, including Father Bill Schreiber who pushed back his retirement for a second year to serve as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson.

Presently there are 35 diocesan priests with parish assignments, including the two serving past 70. Of the 35, 26 are pastors, two are parish administrators and seven are parochial vicars (assistant pastors). These priests serve 39 parishes of the diocese. 

 Msgr. McCoy’s added assignment came to be as the personnel board was exploring options for new assignments this year. He was aware St. Mary Parish of Humboldt was going to need a pastor and given that the parish is just 20 miles north of Fort Dodge, it made sense to him to offer to become its pastor. While keeping his assignment at Holy Trinity, he was assigned the Humboldt parish that is made up of about 500 households. Between the two parishes, the number of households served make it either the largest or second largest served by a pastor in the diocese.

Stats - Diocese of Sioux City
Priests with parish assignments*	35 total
Pastors	26
Parish Administrators	2
Parochial Vicars	7
*Serving 39 parishes

Along with parochial vicar Father Ross Caniglia, a third priest has been assigned to serve the two parishes. Father Francis Makwinja, who had been serving as the chaplain of Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, returned to parochial (parish) work to serve as a second parochial vicar for the two parishes.

“The three priests are focusing our energies to provide for the spiritual needs of both counties – Webster and Humboldt Counties,” said Msgr. McCoy. “We were very deliberate about the fact that we wanted a priest to live in Humboldt because there is a hospital there and we have housing there.”

Given that Msgr. McCoy and Father Caniglia were already residing in the rectory in Fort Dodge, it made sense to have Father Francis move into the Humboldt rectory.

Even though two reside in Fort Dodge and one in Humboldt, the team of three will minister in both parishes.

“We have been working together to see how we will provide for both St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity in terms of their sacramental and spiritual needs but also St. Mary Catholic School (Humboldt) and St. Edmond Catholic School (Fort Dodge),” said the pastor. “Rather than just Father Francis staying in Humboldt and saying all of the Masses there, we have created a rotation so that each one of us priests will rotate.”

Each priest will celebrate weekend Masses in Humboldt every three weeks on a rotating basis. Because Father Francis lives in Humboldt, he will celebrate daily Mass at St. Mary’s Tuesday through Friday. In addition, there is a school Mass on Fridays that will be celebrated by either Father Francis or Father Caniglia, followed by time in the school.Msgr. McCoy            “Our intent is to ensure a priest presence there,” said Msgr. McCoy, who has served in Webster County since 2008.

With the availability of permanent deacons – four assigned to Holy Trinity and one in Humboldt – he acknowledged they further help lighten the workload of priests and serve the needs of parishioners by officiating weddings, baptizing and by leading a variety of programs or prayer services.

The pastor anticipates collaboration between the two distinct parishes will grow as they exchange ideas about effective programming – for instance marriage preparation. Ideally, he added, they would have the same or at least similar programming because it would assist the clergy in staying well informed about the process. Right now the parishes are evaluating their own programs and discerning what is the best to serve the needs of parishioners. In some cases, it could be something in use at St. Mary and in other cases it could be from Holy Trinity or something new.

The same can be true of the two schools – sharing resources and ideas – to best serve students and assist staff. 

Despite the continuing decline of priest numbers, the pastor has faith that things will be alright and that God will provide.

“Things will be okay. Will it be the same? No, but it will be fine,” said Msgr. McCoy.

Teamwork of the priests, deacons, parish and school staff along with the laity will help ensure it will be okay.

“In both parishes, I have noticed the faithful step up to volunteer and assist with ministries. All of them have to be involved to make the life of the church work in Humboldt County and Webster County,” said the pastor.