Seeking input for workshops, presenters: Diocesan Ministries Conference scheduled for Oct. 9 & 10

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 24, 2005

Every two years the Diocese of Sioux City puts on a Diocesan Ministries Conference. The conference is designed for all people who serve or wish to serve in any church ministry - from Catholic schoolteachers to lectors, sacristans or parish religious education teachers.

Since there is a wide range of individuals who may attend the conference, organizers hope to provide a diversity of workshops and offer topics that truly appeal to people and ones in which they would benefit from.

With this in mind, organizers of this year's event are now seeking input for workshop topics and presenters. Some of these topics could be practical applications and others may be more conceptual in nature, centered on spiritual enrichment. There may be a practical session based on understanding the use of spiritual direction.

While the topics will be diverse, all of them will be designed to help "bring spirituality into our ministry, regardless of what that ministry is," noted Kevin Vickery, superintendent of Catholic schools and a member of the planning team. "This is about the spiritual faith formation that enhances our role as ministers of the church of God."

The theme of the conference is The Spiritual in Each Moment.

"The conference will be designed to help us find a spiritual connection in the things we do," he stressed. "Based on theme, we would like people to provide us with input."

Persons wishing to provide input should e-mail Linda Anderson, director of catechesis and another member of the planning team. Her e-mail is lindaa@scdiocese.org or call her at (712) 233-7517.

Bev Hurni, director of adult and family ministries who is also a member of the planning team, said in the end they hope to provide workshops that also help to rejuvenate people who have served in ministries for a number of years.

"Hopefully the conference will help people refocus and allow people to see God in their midst," she said.

And while the overall plans for the conference are still a work in progress, the planning team pointed out that in addition to the theme some other main pieces of the conference have been finalized - the dates and locations.

"It has been scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10, a Sunday and Monday," noted Anderson. The Sunday session will be offered at Resurrection Parish in Pocahontas. Two sessions will be offered at Gehlen High School on Monday. The evening session will kick off with registration and meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with programming until 9:30 p.m.

Two years ago the conference was offered on a Friday and Saturday at one location. Poor attendance at the Saturday session motivated this year's organizers to change the format.

"Sunday is an afternoon, early evening piece. The actual programming will most likely be from 2 to 5 p.m. with registration starting at 1 p.m. There will also be a light supper afterwards," said Anderson.

On Monday, one session will be offered during the day and another will be available in the evening. As with past conferences, teachers and staff members of the diocesan Catholic schools will be required to attend the Monday day session.

"We wanted to offer two different locations so that driving wouldn't be such an issue," noted Anderson. She added that between the Sunday afternoon and Monday evening session, they hope to attract more people.

Plans are to have a keynote speaker, whom is yet to be determined, address all three sessions. Vickery explained that during the Monday daytime session at Gehlen, attendees would have the option to attend three workshops. He added that the only difference between that day and the other two offerings is that the participants at the Sunday afternoon and Monday evening sessions will attend two workshops rather than three.

"There will be some workshops that will be directed toward parish-type ministries and there will be some that are school specific," he said.

Vickery stressed the fact that the Diocese of Sioux City is blessed to have many gifted and talented individuals.

"We have some extraordinary programs and ministries out there," he said. "Sometimes the humility factor prevents people from sharing their ideas." He urged people to share their ideas in order that others may benefit.

Input for the conference is now being accepted.