By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
January 29, 2004

Adults taking the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) class in the Diocese of Sioux City are learning about different entities in the diocese that help people. They are enriching their knowledge so that they can help more people in their ministries.

Father Gene Sitzmann, the facilitator of the class, and the eight CPE students recently took a trip to Sioux City. They visited the Central Catholic Offices and the Gospel Mission on Jan. 22. While in Sioux City, they also watched the Protecting God's Children safe environment training tapes and had discussions about them.

Those taking the class include: Rev. Curtis Matson of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron; David L. Schol, an on-call or part-time chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City; Deacon Donald Kunkel of Le Mars, a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Sioux City; Alice Sporrer of Le Mars, who is an LPN for Plymouth Life, an agency for the disabled; Rev. Arturo Gomez of Sioux Center; Elaine Doorenbos of Le Mars who is a lay minister and community leader; Judy Bauerly of Le Mars, who is an RN in nursing home care and Hospice ministry; and Rev. Benjamin Meeks of Merrill, who is the UMC pastor Merrill and Adaville. All except Bauerly ventured to Sioux City on Jan. 22.

"I feel that in the class we have been a help, an encouragement and a boost to one another," said Schol. "If one of us is struggling in a certain area or has questions, we all jump in and help one another, give our ideas and what has worked for us."

The main books that the students in the class have been reading and discussing include: The Emotionally Healthy by Peter Scazzero and Tattooed in the Cradle by Lamont Satterly.

Each person in the class has decided to take the class to further their ministry. Matson commented that his senate office recommended the class to him.

"I took this class as a recommendation from a good friend, Dr. Howard Marty," said Doorenbos. "When I got my master's in the field of counseling and communication, he said, 'You would really enjoy taking this.' I wanted to introduce the spiritual component into my counseling skills. It's been wonderful."

Sporrer, who belongs to St. Joseph Parish in Le Mars, added that her parish is clustering, and she wanted to improve all of her skills.

"I am looking at going into chaplain work in the near future," said Matson. "The training that I have received here will help."

Most times when the group meets for class, they meet at a different facility and receive a tour of the site. The rest of their time together is spent having class and discussing assorted topics.

"It gives me a first hand experience with what kinds of services are available in the community and what kinds of things they do," said Meeks. "It gives me an opportunity to see the personalities behind the services and see more than just the words they say about what they do. Someday I may go to a different church in a whole different area, but knowing what's available here and the way it works gives me an idea of what to look for somewhere else."

Meeks commmented that he appreciated hearing the administrator of the hospital in Le Mars speak about the mission of the hospital. They were able to see what the people at the hospital were doing behind the scenes as much as they were doing with the patients.

"We go to all the different agencies in the community and work with the other students in the class and learn so much about what's out there, what's available," said Schol. "I am learning a lot about different denominations and religions that I was a little hesitant on. I am picking up on a lot of information that is very helpful to me."

Another aspect of the class is learning about oneself. According to Father Sitzmann, learning about themselves will directly and indirectly help their ministries.

"If we don't take care of ourselves, we can't minister well either," said Deacon Kunkel. "That really hit home. I'm not saying I don't take care of myself, but the warning signs are there that that has to happen."

The book, The Emotionally Healthy, addresses the emotional health of the leaders of the church. Doorenbos explained, "A leader can take a congregation no further than what they are themselves. I think we are learning about ourselves and that we can lead only as far as we have grown ourselves."