Diocesan Ministries Conference Draws close to 700 people

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 9, 2003

More than 650 people attended the Diocesan Ministries Conference on Oct. 3 at St. Edmond School in Fort Dodge.

"Lead Me Lord" was the theme of the conference that was attended by Catholic school faculty and staff as well as parishioners serving in a variety of parish ministries.

The conference began with a prayer service in the St. Edmond gymnasium that was led by Father Ed Girres, a member of the pastoral team serving the Webster County parishes.

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo offered the keynote message that centered on Catholic social teaching.

"We are the ones that need the opportunity; God is waiting - always willing to give us the opportunity to witness the faith," he said.

The bishop mentioned that in a document by the Holy Father, the pope asked how it can be that still people are dying of hunger and still condemned to illiteracy.

"The Lord is leaving us in a careful way ....," said Bishop DiNardo.

He added that God leaves some things undone as a sign of providence and so that people may share in his creation. With this in mind, parishioners are asked to pay special attention to the poor and underprivileged.

"Social doctrine is based on that each person is formed in the image and likeness of God," said Bishop DiNardo.

He listed seven basic themes of Catholic social teaching. 1) It is based on the dignity of the human person. 2) People are called to active participation in their community and civic life. 3) The rights and responsibilities of the human person. 4) Option for the poor and the vulnerable. 5) Dignity of work and the rights of workers. 6) Solidarity that goes beyond one's self and nation. 7) Care for God's creation and attention to the environment.

Following the keynote address, conference participants had the opportunity to attend up to three workshops. In all about 20 were available on a range of subjects ranging from trilingual liturgical celebrations to ....

In a workshop on conflict resolution, Cynthia Wakeman ??? told the crowd that they should try to use conflict as an opportunity to teach. She said that conflicts generally arise when there is a lack of clarity.

"A great response to conflict is seeking to understand before seeking to be understood," said Wakeman, who also presented sessions on ....

Father David Heman, pastor at ..., presented a workshop on prayer.

"Through prayer, you nurture your relationship with God," said Father Heman, who added that if you want to be led by the Lord, one must be willing to listen.

Father Kevin Richter, pastor at St. Boniface in Sioux City, and Mary Ricke, theology teacher at St. Edmond, offered a workshop on spiritual direction.

Shirley Selzer, a teacher at Sacred Heart School in Spencer, said she found the workshop on conflict resolution to provide practical information that could be used at work and in her family.

She mentioned that she also liked the bishop's keynote presentation that centered on the seven basic themes of Catholic social teaching.

Diane Royer, a middle school teacher at Kuemper School in Carroll, found the presentation titled Sex, Lies and the Media to provide valuable information in relating to teenagers.