DREs and youth ministers attend fall gathering

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 19, 2004

STORM LAKE - Youth ministers and DREs throughout the Diocese of Sioux City attended the annual fall gathering on Aug. 14 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.

There were 39 people signed up to participate in the day and a few extras joined as the day progressed. According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, the gathering is used to bring these people together before they get busy with their fall religious ed and youth ministry schedules. This gathering is meant to provide them with something informational.

The entire morning session consisted of Cy Wakeman talking to the youth ministers and DREs. The title of her presentation was "Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life."

"There was a lot of stuff that she covered and a lot of stuff that she did," said Anderson. "She was excellent. She is full of information and wisdom. She is very practical and has a great sense of humor. The morning was very dynamic."

The attendees learned what their different personalities were by taking a personality test and discovering what color they were based on their personality traits.

"I learned how I can use those traits that I have to work with other people," said Julie Walding, pastoral minister and DRE at Sacred Heart in Sioux City. "One of the things that I liked that the speaker said was that we are striving for progress not perfection."

The participants were provided lunch at noon. During the afternoon session, everyone introduced themselves and welcomed the newcomers to the group. Then there was a time of formal and informal sharing of information and ideas. Anderson had asked four people ahead of time to share something new or different that they are doing with their program.

The first person to share was Kerri Noethe, DRE and youth minister for Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda and St. Columbkille in Varina. She talked about how the people are all coming together to create one of the best religious education programs in the diocese with the closing of their Catholic school.

"It was a great time to be back together again," said Carolyn Pudenz, DRE and youth minister at Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Pocahontas. "I found out that there are so many different things going on. Everyone is trying their best."

Edna Miller, DRE and youth minister for Early Sacred Heart and Schaller St. Joseph, talked about something different that she did with her kindergarten through fifth grade religious education students. She had them come the first Saturday of the month from 8 to 11 a.m. There were about 45 students who attended.

"She said there was less absenteeism than ever," said Anderson. "The parents voted to do this, and she didn't have any problems getting teachers. It was nice to hear a success story. They tried something different, and it really worked."

The third presenter was Walding. She presented to the group some of the innovations that her parish is planning for this next year at Sacred Heart.

Sheryl Price, coordinator of intergenerational faith formation for the Webster County Team Parishes, talked to the group about the total intergenerational ministry concept for faith formation that is being instituted in her area. The Webster County parishes will not be doing the regular religious education program, except for confirmation age students.

"It was a nice variety," said Anderson. "All of these people had something unique to share. Then others were asking questions."

The day ended with closing prayer and commissioning at about 3 p.m.

"It was really a good day. It was nice to see the new ones come and get acquainted with others," said Anderson. "We can kind of put a face to the name that we've had either mailed or e-mailed to us. Everyone was very enthusiastic."