Conference for catechetical leaders inspires, affirms

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted May 22, 2003

Rooted in Hope, Leading with Vision was the theme of the  National Conference for Catechetical Leadership that was held May 4-8 in St. Paul, Minn. Thirteen catechetical leaders from this diocese attended.

According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, the location of the conference allowed more parish leaders to participate. She considers it wonderful representation as many dioceses only brought diocesan employees.

She particularly enjoyed the keynote speakers. Her favorite was Joel Barker.

"He talked about paradigm shifts and change," said Anderson. "He told us that the world only grows ever more complex. Don't look for things to get simpler because they are not and that goes for the church, too, as well as life in general."

The keynote speaker told them that a leaders job is to find, recognize and secure the future. He also pointed out that a leader is someone you will follow to a place you will not go by yourself.

"We need leadership in the church and that is why we need opportunities like this are good training for leaders," said Anderson.

Many others were impressed by the speakers.

"It was very good. I enjoyed the keynote speakers most of all," said Father Tim Fitzgerald, pastor at St. Mary in Everly and St. Louis in Royal. "Bishop Gerald Kicanas (of Tucson) did a lot to affirm the people in their ministry. Sometimes people in ministry do not get the affirmation they deserve for all the work they do."

The bishop told them that the catechetical leaders make a difference in the world because they give people hope. He encouraged them to find affirmation and support where they could, but most of all, he asked that they trust the message.

Father Fitzgerald, who serves on the Diocesan Religious Education Advisory Board, was also impressed that the Diocese of Sioux City had such good representation at the conference.

Julie Anne Bovenmyer, DRE at Sacred Heart Church in Boone, pointed out that she liked attending the conference because it was so geared toward her job.

"So often you will go to a conference an one workshop will be designed for you, but at this conference, the whole thing was geared toward DREs and leaders in the parish," she said. "It looked at what we do and gave us encouragement and inspiration to keep doing our jobs."

The conference helped her realize that there are others out there who are "struggling to stay afloat and there are also people out there who appreciate what we do." Bovenmyer found so much value in the conference that she wished it was longer so she could attend more workshops.

She acquired some practical tips to bring back to the parish catechists at a workshop titled The Quilter, the Baker and the Candle Maker: Developing Yourself as a Catechetical Leader that was facilitated by Kate Ristow, who is contributing editor of Catechist Magazine.

"I wish all of the conferences could be this close so that we could attend them every year," said Bovenmeyer.

Anderson pointed out that there is value in attending conferences not only for the information aspect but also for the networking.

Angie Strohman of Holy Family Parish in Emmetsburg noted that this was the first national level conference she has attended.

"It was good because you got to meet people in your field and find new ideas," she said. "It gives you a whole bunch of information that you never were aware of."

Strohman was impressed with The Feast of Life presentation that featured the stories from the Gospel of Luke. This musical by Marty Haugen with Gary Daigle was presented by Benilde-St. Margaret High School near Minneapolis following one of the evening banquets. It was sponsored by William H. Sadlier, Inc. and GIA Publications.

She would like to bring the high school group to her parish in order to inspire the youth here.

Anderson also found The Feast of Life so inspiring that she bought the DVD and CD. Parishes are welcome to borrow it.