Excellence in Catecheis formation sessions set for October

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 16, 2004

"Sacred Scripture: Sacred Stories" is the theme of this year's Excellence in Catechesis presentation that will be offered at three locations next month in the Diocese of Sioux City.

Presented by the Offices of Catechesis, Education and Hispanic Ministries, all three of the presentations will be made from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. The dates and locations of the sessions are as follows: Oct. 6 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda, Oct. 13 at Sacred Heart in Spencer and Oct. 27 at Sacred Heart in Sioux City.

According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese who is also presenting heading up youth ministry efforts, the diocese has sponsored this educational presentation in years opposite the Church Ministries Conference. It is designed for parish religious educators - DREs, youth ministers and catechists - as well as Catholic schoolteachers and administrators.

She pointed out that in previous years, Excellence in Catechesis was presented in one location, on a Saturday.

"We tried to listen to people out in the field. Many had commented that they wanted to get their catechists and teachers to more formation opportunities but it was difficult for them to get people to come when they would have to give up one of their weekend days," said Anderson. "They asked if we could bring it out to them - take it on the road."

The three dates and three locations on Wednesday evenings was the response to the people's request.

"All sessions will be basically the same. People can attend any of them. They should pick the date and location that works best for them," she said.

While those who attend one of the three Excellence in Catechesis sessions may find spiritual nourishment and inspiration, it is really intended to be an educational or formation tool.

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. will be the keynote address featuring Anderson, Kevin Vickery, superintendent of Catholic schools; Linda Ebel, curriculum director; and Juan Garcia, coordinator of Hispanic ministries.

"It will be somewhat of a readers theater," explained Anderson. "We will interweave pieces of Scripture with our own sacred stories. This will help people realize that Scripture is something that they teach, but it also impacts how we live our lives. We want people to hear different pieces of Scripture, but also realize that they each have their own sacred stories that tie in with Scripture."

She stressed the fact that the Bible is not an ancient piece of literature that has no relevance.

"It's not something old and out-of-date. It is alive," said Anderson.

The idea to use this interactive discussion as the keynote came during planning meetings the four realized how Scripture played a role in their own stories. Vickery had seen a similar interactive panel presentation by the National Catholic Education Association.

Through this interactive dialogue, Vickery said that he hoped "people hear the word, read the word, see the word and live the word."

"We as community grow because we share our stories. If I go out and read the word, but never look for it in anyone or never live it so people can see it in my life then Scripture is nothing more than word. As we share the discussion, it will become clear that we have had common experiences. The unique piece comes in when we learn to act on the power of the impact that these stories have had in our lives," he said.

The second portion of the presentation from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. will provide attendees the chance to attend one of five educational breakout sessions.

"Each of these sessions will focus on a different way of teaching Sacred Scripture: Sacred Stories," noted Anderson. "These will be hands-on, practical suggestions of creative things they can do in their classrooms whether that be in the parishes or schools. There will also be time in those sessions for people to share their own ideas or experiences."

Four of the sessions will be presented in English. A fifth session that has a focus on sharing how to live the Word of God from a Hispanic perspective will be presented in Spanish on the nights when Hispanic catechists attend.

One of the breakout sessions will offer tips on bringing the Scriptures alive through storytelling and drama. Betty Benson, second grade teacher from St. Catherine's-St. Mary's School in Remsen, will lead this session.

Julie Anne Bovenmyer, DRE at Sacred Heart Boone, will present a session that will look at using existing art and creating art as a means to teach Scripture.

Another session will focus on using music and ritual with students. Sister Julie Tebbe, music teacher at Mater Dei School in Sioux City, will facilitate this session.

A fourth session will address using intra/interpersonal skills to teach students how to live the Gospel.

"The focus of this session will be primarily to explore if we see the Word of God in other people and then - beyond that - realize when those Gospel stories become the sacred stories of our own lives," said Vickery.

He stressed the fact that people do experience the humbleness of the older son in the Prodigal Son story and compassion as in the Good Samaritan story - but not everyone recognizes it nor draws strength from it.

"These sessions are not defined by age group. They are defined by using different intelligence's to learn," said Anderson.

Each of the three evenings will conclude with refreshments featuring pizza and beverages served at 8:30 p.m.

Cost of the event is $10 per person. People are asked to pre-register one week before the session they plan to attend. The registrations are non-refundable. Contact Judy Forrest at (712) 233-7520 or judyf@scdiocese.org with any questions.