Lifelong learning: National training updates, inspires

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 4, 2005

Intergenerational ministry, whole-community catechesis, Generations of Faith - these are different names for the same ministry concept.

"This is an approach to faith formation that takes in lifelong learning - all generations coming together for catechesis," noted Bev Hurni.

Three people from the diocese - Bev Hurni, diocesan director of adult and family ministries; Linda Anderson, diocesan director of catechesis; and Father Ed Girres, a member of the pastoral team ministry serving the Webster County Parishes - recently attended a Generations of Faith National Training Program in Connecticut.

"The purpose of it was to train people to train others," noted Anderson.

The training was sponsored by the Center for Ministry Development and was led by John Roberto. The Generations of Faith Project is funded through a grant by the Lily Foundation and it covered the expenses of the people who attended the national training including the three from the Diocese of Sioux City.

The intergenerational concept has been gaining momentum across the country in recent years and Hurni said that the diocese has put greater focus on it in the last three or four years.

Because it is a relatively new ministry, the training has continued to evolve and be updated based on lived experience.

"The training helped define my role as a diocesan person - practical ways that I can promote it and help the parishes that are already using this approach to ministry," said Hurni. "The new information that we gained at the training will help us mentor others."

Like Hurni, Anderson mentioned that she learned some practical things at the training but more importantly, her enthusiasm for this ministry approach was revitalized. She had attended two of John Roberto's past training sessions for Generations of Faith, one of which was held in Des Moines for people from all four Iowa dioceses.

"I appreciated the enthusiasm of everyone who attended," noted Anderson. "You cannot believe the energy level at this training."

She pointed out that about 70 people from numerous states across the country attended the training. Part of the value in participating in the session was hearing how other people were implementing intergenerational ministry.

Just listening to the ideas, added Hurni, was energizing.

As a participating diocese, they not only have a manual but also have access to the Generations of Faith Web site, which has endless information and ideas.

"Because we are a Phase II diocese - we have had him (Roberto) in for training - we have now learned the process we need to do now," said Anderson.

For Phase II dioceses, training consists of three workshops. Roberto will present the first training session and then diocesan personnel will facilitate the other two trainings.

"It's up to us if we choose to do with by bringing all of the parishes together for those two workshops or maybe we will go out to parishes or clusters in groupings," explained Hurni.

The first training session with Roberto will more than likely be held in January, but in the meantime they hope to continue to raise awareness about intergenerational ministry and help people learn the concept of whole community catechesis.

Parishioners of the diocese will have various opportunities to learn about this approach to faith formation. One opportunity is a conference facilitated by Bill Huebsch, author of Whole Community Catechesis, co-sponsored by the Des Moines Diocese and Harcourt Religion Publishers on Aug. 18 at All Saints Parish in Stuart, Iowa. Follow-up sessions to this conference will be led by Lisa Anslinger and Father Jan Kevin Schmidt on Nov. 17 in Des Moines and Nov. 18 in Waterloo.

Another opportunity will be at the Fall Gathering for religious educators and youth ministers to be held Aug. 20 in Storm Lake. Sister Theresa Engel, director of intergenerational faith formation for the Webster County Team Parishes, will present a short morning session about this ministry.

"She will do a little sharing about what they have done and where they are going this year," noted Anderson. "People will have the chance to ask questions and further opportunities for sharing among people."

Hurni pointed out that at the Diocesan Ministries Conference slated for October, two workshops would be presented that address this approach to ministry. Hurni and Anderson will facilitate one workshop - Whole Community Catechesis 101 - and another workshop to be presented by Father Mike Tauke who is from a Generations of Faith mentor parish in Waverly, Iowa. Each time that Father Tauke presents the workshop, other people who have been involved in intergenerational ministry from this diocese will co-present the session.

"There will be these various opportunities for people to learn more about this intergenerational approach to ministry and faith formation," said Hurni.

By fall, they hope to have an idea of the parishes that might be interested in participating in the upcoming training offered by Roberto.

The diocesan personnel stressed the fact that this is not something parishes must do, but they believe in it and invite parishes to consider this approach to faith formation.

"This is an opportunity for change, but people have to make their own choice," stated Anderson. "We would like for them to know enough about it so that it is a choice for them."

If parishes opt to pursue this faith formation approach, they mentioned that parishes could start the process slowly by possibly offering two to three intergenerational events each year. Generations of Faith activities generally center on bringing all of the people of the parish or cluster together for a shared learning experience and usually involves sharing a meal, sharing a prayer experience and age-appropriate catechesis.

"While we think of this as a new concept, this is what was happening in the church early on where the generations passed on the faith naturally to the next generation - when we didn't have formalized religious education classes," said Hurni.

The Webster County Parishes has been selected as one of several parishes across the country to serve as a mentor parish for Generations of Faith. As a mentor parish, other parishes that are considering this ministry may contact the Webster County Parishes for such things as guidance or to witness an intergenerational program in progress.