Diocesan Ministries Conference will offer insight and knowledge

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 28, 2003

FORT DODGE - The Diocesan Ministries Conference is getting closer by the day. "Lead Me, Lord," the theme of the conference, encourages people throughout the Diocese of Sioux City to attend the conference on Oct. 3 or 4 at St. Edmond School in Fort Dodge.

"It's a time in the fall for people to give themselves a day and remember that God calls all of us to remember while we are serving others to also be attentive to our own needs," said Morrissey. "This is a way to replenish our own personal well so that there is something to give."

During the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to experience different sessions to further their knowledge on several topics. A few of the sessions will focus on practical realities that people, parishes and schools face during the year.

"It is really for personal enrichment, and I think they'll find a variety of workshop topics," said Kay Morrissey, director of faith formation for the diocese. "We tried to listen in the field to what people say are their interests and plan the conference accordingly. If they look at the workshop topics, they will find something that will appeal to them."

One session that will relate with this topic will be lead by Valerie Windschitl from Holy Spirit in Carroll. This session is titled "Coloring the Four Seasons of the Church Year."

"The overall thrust of both Friday and Saturday presentations is bringing art into the liturgical environment," said Windschitl. "Liturgy and art should go hand and hand in a simple reverent way. People who work and decorate the churches must be keenly interested in the liturgy. You have to know what's going to be happening during the certain seasons of the year. If you don't, you are not going to be able to do a really good job of presenting art. You learn as you go along."

The session will discuss the practical and philosophical ideas for moving through the four liturgical seasons by way of the five senses.

"By using photographs from around the country that we have taken of other churches we will be able to visualize their interpretation of the four liturgical seasons," said Windschitl.

"Boards: Facilitators of Missions" will be lead by Father Gerald Feierfeil of the Diocesan Board of Education and pastor of Nativity Church in Sioux City. This session will discuss how service on the board of a Catholic school system is a ministry in itself. Members are called to see beyond the issues of finance, policy, personnel, programs and public relations to the heart of the matter - the Gospel mission and ministry of the school to the present generation of young people.

Sister Charlotte Seubert, FSPA of Moline, Ill. will lead a session titled "Do's and Don'ts: Ministering with Spanish Speaking." This session will deal with the challenge to continue to struggle with welcoming people who are of a different culture. Some practical adjustments and change of attitude in life can make the journey enriching and fulfilling.

Three other sessions will be lead by Cynthia Wakeman of Cy Wakeman, Inc. of Sioux City. The first is called "Conflict Resolution." In this session, attendees will learn how to the skill, teamwork and courage of each individual contributes to success. People need to work on changing how they see their situation, for only by changing their thinking, can people change their circumstances.

Another session that Wakeman will lead is titled "Responding to Change." This session will teach how organizations can thrive in difficult times as they break through "learned helplessness" and rally their teams to respond to challenges while maintaining 100 percent accountability.

"Dealing with Differences" will also be lead by Wakeman. It will discuss how leveraging diversity is key to overcoming today's most challenging issues - from lack of resources to gaining an emotional understanding while establishing a competitive advantage.

The keynote address will be given by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo in the morning on both days of the conference.

"Anyone who has listened to the bishop speak knows that he always speaks eloquently and well," said Morrissey. "So the keynote in itself for some might be a reason to come, to have an opportunity to listen to the bishop. They get the added bonus of selecting two or three workshops and an opportunity to see people from other communities.

"It is a time for networking and time to see people in ministry that they may not have the opportunity to see very often."

The registration deadline is Sept. 23. The cost of the conference is $20, including lunch. For more information about the Diocesan Ministries Conference contact the Central Catholic Office at (712) 255-7933.