Diocese to host retreat for persons with disabilities

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
January 27, 2005

My Name is God's Song is the title and theme of this year's regional retreat for persons 18 and over who have moderate developmental disabilities.

Sponsored by the Diocese of Sioux City's Coalition for Ministry with Persons Having Disabilities, this is about the 15th year that such a retreat has been presented.

According to Bev Hurni, director of adult and family ministries and coordinator of the coalition, as in past years this same retreat will be presented at two sites in the diocese. It will be held Feb. 26 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Algona. The retreat will also be presented March 5 at the Kingsley Community Center.

Hurni pointed out that the locations of the retreats generally rotate, however, the parishioners of St. Michael Parish in Kingsley enjoyed helping at it so much that they requested to host it again this year.

The coalition continues to sponsor the retreat because the response by the participants is so positive.

"They look forward to it every year," she said. "We get terrific response by group homes and the interest is increasing by individuals and their families who live in their own apartments or with family members."

She mentioned that it is important for the church to minister to the needs of all people.

"This is a group of individuals who have special needs and this retreat responds to the needs." Hurni added, "There is also a need in the community for parishioners to have the opportunity to spend the day with people who have special needs because often people are separated from the parish community. Until we have a way to connect with one another, that separation will continue."

At the retreat, they will discuss praising God and stress the message that each person is special in God's eyes whether they have disabilities or not.

Music, talks and activities will be part of the retreat. One of the activities will focus on music. Hurni noted that this is a group of people who love to sing and from time-to-time a participant will break out in a spontaneous solo.

"There will be discussions about who taught them to sing, when do they like to sing - if they are happy or sad - and what are some occasions where they sing such as birthdays. Then we will look at how we make music through the way we live our lives," said Hurni.

A second activity will center on the Scripture passage from Isaiah 49 where God has called each person by name. With this, they will make a beaded bracelet that will spell out their name.

This retreat is open to persons of all faiths. It will close with a prayer service. Father Dennis Meinen and Father Tim Johnson plan to attend the Kingsley retreat. Father Johnson will also attend the Algona retreat.

"We are able to provide this at no cost to the participants because of donations from the Knights of Columbus," said Hurni.

The deadline to register for the Algona retreat is Feb. 14 and the deadline to register for the Kingsley retreat is Feb. 21. If persons are interested in attending the retreat, they can call Sandi Whitehill at (712) 233-7530.

Volunteers are needed at each site to serve as small group leaders. If interested in volunteering at the Algona retreat, contact Bob and Lorri Larsen at (515) 295-3435. To volunteer at the Kingsley retreat, contact Marie Washburn at (712) 378-2021.