Retreat for persons with disabilities opens doors to Christ
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted February 7, 2002

Next month the doors of faith will open for persons 18 and over who have moderate mental disabilities as they have the opportunity to attend a retreat designed specially for them.

"Opening Doors to Jesus" is the theme of the retreat sponsored by the Diocesan Coalition for Persons Having Disabilities. The retreat will be held March 16 at St. Michael Parish Center in Sioux City, coordinated by Bev Hurni and Marlene Pietz; and March 23 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Algona, coordinated by Deacon Bob Larsen.

"We send an invitation to group homes and residential facilities for persons with disabilities. We also ask parishes to pass it on to people in the parish who may benefit from it," explained Bev Hurni, family programs director and diocesan liaison for the coalition.

The coalition has been sponsoring ecumenical, Christian-based retreats for a number of years as a means to offer spiritual enrichment for persons with mental disabilities.

"It is also a way to increase awareness among the volunteers," said Hurni. In past years, people who have volunteered said they get just as much out of the retreat as the persons with disabilities.

Several people, a mix of high school students and adults, at each location volunteer to serve as table group leaders and assist with activities. Others serve as music leaders.

One of the activities will focus on people who have opened doors or helped them. They will also explore ways they can help other people. To tie in with that idea, participants will have the chance decorate door tags that they will take home to serve as a reminder to open the door to Jesus.

Each participant will receive a prayer card with Jesus knocking on a door. Interestingly, the door doesn't have a doorknob on the outside, which represents that the people on the inside must open the door.

The day will include sing alongs and a pizza party. It will conclude with a prayer service to be led by Father Dennis Meinen in Sioux City and Father Tim Johnson in Algona. Father Meinen, Carol Kelzer and Vera Ludwig planned the service.

Hurni commended the work of the coalition in their work to organize the retreat. New members were recently appointed to the coalition. They include Patrice Cronin of Holstein, Scott Drzycimski of Fort Dodge, Frank Hermsen of Carroll, Sister Theresa Jungers of Hospers and Kim Richards of Churdan. Other members are Connie Barrett of Sioux City, Sharon Carey of Churdan, Father Johnson of Sanborn, Carol Kelzer of Sioux City, Vera Ludwig of Sioux City, Father Dennis Meinen of Sioux City, Marlene Pietz of Sioux City, Suzanne Torrey of Cherokee and Kevin Uehle of Sioux City.

"We would like to have at least two people from every deanery," said Hurni. "We still need members from the Northeast Deanery and at least one more from the Southeast Deanery."

Through the generous support of the Knights of Columbus, there is no charge to attend the retreat for persons with mental disabilities.

Registration forms should be available on parish bulletin boards or by calling 712-233-7531. For the Sioux City retreat, register by Feb. 23 with Marlene Pietz, 2525 McFaul St., Sioux City, IA 51104 or call (712) 277-8871. For the retreat in Algona, register by March 9 with Mary Kennedy-Seiler, 1702 Elmhurst Ave., Humboldt, IA 50548 or call (515) 332-4405.