By Julie Godfrey Miller
Catholic Herald

Superiorite exemplifies the spirit of stewardship

SUPERIOR -- Stewardship isn't just about giving money or raising money for the church. It includes the generous sharing of time and talent as well. Each year the Diocesan Services Appeal gives a Spirit of Stewardship award to someone who is a model of stewardship in their parish. This year's award winner was Ernie Swartz of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Superior. Bishop Raphael M. Fliss presented the award at the annual Stewardship Day seminar in Hudson on May 8.

Swarz's full-time job is a stressful one -- air traffic controller at the Duluth International Airport. But he somehow finds the time and energy to serve as part-time coordinator of religious education for the parish. He is also involved in many other ministries as well, including working with youth liturgies, retreats, TEC and parish and diocesan youth outings.

"That was why I think I was selected, because of the time that I am willing to put into things," Swartz said.

Swartz, who was born in Chicago, moved to Superior 25 years ago to marry Superiorite Sue Plunkett. (He and Sue will renew their marriage vows this year on July 21 at St. Francis.) They have two sons, Andrew, 15, a freshman at Superior Senior High School, and Paul, 14, an eight grader at Cathedral School.

What motivates Swartz? He said, "I've felt very blessed for a long time."

Swartz said he started out as an usher at St. Francis right away and then became involved in religious education in 1984, when the parish was in desperate need of teachers. Although he dropped out for a time after his first son was born, he started teaching again in 1992. Fr. Bill Green, who was pastor at the time, asked him to help run the program and he has been doing it ever since. His responsibilities have evolved over the years, Swartz said, from mainly monitoring supplies and seeing that each class had a teacher to coordinating the program since Fr. James Tobolski became pastor.

Swartz said he can't and doesn't do it all himself. His approach with many activities is to get things started and then find the people to keep them going. He said, "I don't have this undying desire for power and glory. I was very taken aback when I received this (award). ... I would never have thought that I was even nominated for this."

Throughout his interview with the Catholic Herald, Swartz specifically mentioned the contributions of countless other people, both in his parish and other Superior parishes, who have made the programs he is involved with a success.

He said, "There's a tremendous faith community in this town. And there's an awful lot of people, maybe they just do little things, but it adds up and multiplies."

He also credits the guidance from Tobolski, as well as Green and Fr. Andy Ricci that has helped him over the years. "I think the reason that I have progressed spiritually as a person is in a big part because of (Tobolski)," Swartz said.

He gets a lot of satisfaction from working with youth, and that includes Scouting. Swartz said, "The Scout program is very important because I feel that it really helps build a better adult, just as much as religious ed does. And that's why I've tried to intertwine the two programs -- why I've made the religious awards a priority in Scouting for the boys."

Swartz said he works very hard to make religion a part of every kid's life. He added that it is not easy to keep the post-confirmation youth involved in the church.

Even bigger than that, Swartz said, is trying to get the adults involved. "One hour once a week (in religious education) is nowhere near enough to really build a faith journey for a young person. And you need the parents to participate at some level ... talking about what they heard in church on Sunday -- going to church on Sunday."

Swartz added that his parish makes it easy for students and parents "We run our program between the two Masses so that every parent and kid can go to 10:30 Mass. We have it set up like that on purpose. ... They're there. They have to pick up their kid."

Swartz said he uses the Book of James as his personal guide, and reads it every day. "As far as why I do what I do, I feel that I have been called to be a disciple of Christ. ... You show your faith in the work that you try to accomplish. I'll be honest. I don't run a perfect program. I'm sure that I've done things wrong. I am sure there are parishioners that have thought -- probably even teachers and catechists -- that this or that wasn't handled correctly. There is no magic There's no perfection but I've tried to do what I think is best."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002