DCCW annual convention draws almost 500 from throughout the state

IC photo by Marie Mischel

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The priest moderators of the Salt Lake Diocesan Council of Catholic Women were the keynote speakers at the annual convention. Above from left are Msgr. Robert Servatius, Father Erik Richtsteig, Msgr. Rudolph Daz, Father James Blaine and Msgr. Michael J. Winterer.

SALT LAKE CITY -The annual convention of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) drew almost 500 people from throughout Utah for a weekend of camaraderie, counsel and conviviality April 24-25 at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City.

The keynote speakers were the DCCW moderators, who shared a common theme of hearing God's call early in their life. For example, Msgr. Robert Servatius, DCCW moderator, said he was in fifth grade at Judge Memorial School when he first considered a priestly vocation. One of the influences was the priests at the school and in his parish, he said, another was his family's encouragement. "I think that's one of the factors that we sadly miss today, is the encouragement of families when someone in their family indicates a vocational call."

After graduating from Judge in 1956, Msgr. Servatius attended seminary in California and was ordained in 1964.

Unlike the other moderators, Father Erik Richtsteig of the Northern Deanery wasn't raised Catholic but converted at age 15. He attributes his early interest to the horror films he saw as a young child, where the villains were afraid of priests with crucifixes, and he thought of being such a hero. "Sometimes God speaks to us in rather silly, inconsequential ways to begin with, and that's how he gets our interest," he said.

Before choosing the priesthood, however, he attained a doctoral degree from Marquette University. Then, with the encouragement of some Jesuits at Marquette as well as Msgr. Michael J. Winterer, he entered the seminary and was ordained in 1994.

As the only son in a Catholic Italian family, Msgr. Rudolph Daz, Salt Lake Deanery, faced some resistance at home to the idea of his becoming a priest. In the 10th grade he spoke to Father Mark Benvegnu about his interest in the seminary, and after his first year, with his mother's blessing, he went on to be ordained in 1954.

For Father James Blaine, Wasatch Deanery, the thought of becoming a priest started in the second grade. His parents were both active in the Church. During his senior year at the seminary high school, he attended Mass, looked inside the chalice, and "I heard this little voice, ‘You are going to be a priest,'" he said. "And it happened." He was ordained 33 years ago.

Like Msgr. Servatius, the example of other priests spurred an interest in the calling at a young age for Msgr. Winterer, Southwestern Deanery, who just celebrated his 50th year as a priest. However, after his family moved to North Dakota, his career goal changed and he wanted to become a cowboy. But after being thrown by a horse a number of times, he decided that wasn't for him, "and so I thought, ‘I'd like to be a priest again. It's a lot easier.'" He entered the seminary while in his teens.

Father Albert Kileo, ALCP, Eastern Deanery, was unable to attend the conference, but he sent a letter that was read by Msgr. Servatius.

Fr. Kileo was born in Tanzania to a Catholic family that regularly prayed together and attended Mass. He heard the call to priesthood since he was 9 and after high school he joined the Apostolic Life Community of Priests and was ordained in 1992.

"Priesthood has its own joys, as well as its own challenges, especially in our times," he wrote, but through the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the support of Church leaders, they receive spiritual energy "and continue to work in the ministry our Lord has called to us in his Church."

Cheryl Johnson, DCCW immediate past president, said the keynote was one of the convention's highlights. "We received many comments on how much the women enjoyed hearing the stories from the priests of what led them to the priesthood and their role as deanery moderators," she said.