Saints to be theme of retreat for persons with moderate mental disabilities

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 9, 2006

FORT DODGE/SIOUX CITY - Saints Among Us is the theme of the upcoming regional retreat for adults who have moderate developmental disabilities.

Sponsored by the Coalition for Ministry with Persons Having Disabilities, the retreat will be offered at two locations in the Diocese of Sioux City. Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City will host the retreat on Feb. 25 and Corpus Christi Parish Center in Fort Dodge will be the site of the retreat on March 4.

According to Bev Hurni, co-coordinator of the coalition and director of the Office of Adult and Family Ministries, said they have offered this retreat for more than 15 years and continue to do so because of the positive response.

"We know that the people who attend look forward to it," she said. "We get a lot of people who come back every year. They have a chance to renew friendships with people in another town. It's very much an experience of connection."

The saints theme, noted Hurni, will be carried over to the various parts of the retreat.

"We will talk about saints from long ago - canonized saints of the church - and their stories as well as modern-day saints or saintly people such as Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa," she explained.

During the retreat, the participants will sit at tables that are named with a saint's name.

"At their table, they will learn about the saint's story and will do a role-play for the larger group to tell the story," said Hurni.

Some of the saints to be highlighted include St. Peter, St. Patrick, St. Francis, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Mary as well as modern-day people like Rosa Parks.

The retreatants will also identify the strong attribute that the saints were known for such as faithfulness, courageous or a teacher.

Vera Ludwig, co-coordinator of the coalition and diocesan coordinator of family programs, pointed out that this group always loves music. She anticipates that some of the songs will tie in with the saints theme such as When the Saints Go Marching In.

A prayer service at each location will include the Litany of Saints. Father Dennis Meinen and Father Tim Johnson will be present for the Sioux City retreat.

"We will conclude the day by playing Bingo, using symbols that identify the saints," said Hurni. "For instance, a three-leaf clover identifies St. Patrick, a rose identifies St. Therese and a peace symbol is for Martin Luther King. Our Bingo prizes will be prayer cards, statues or metals of the various saints."

A big favorite of the retreat every year is the lunch consisting of pizza.

Hurni mentioned that they are still looking for volunteers. People can call the Office of Adult and Family Ministries at (712) 233-7530 to volunteer.

"It makes a good confirmation service project," she said. "There are two purposes to the retreat - to provide an experience of spiritual renewal for participants who come and to connect people who for the most part live in group homes with people in the community that they usually don't get a chance to interact with."

Ludwig agreed that the retreat is beneficial on several levels.

"It's an opportunity for those who don't have a chance to go to church and have fellowship together and it is an opportunity for those without disabilities to volunteer to share their gifts with people who are sometimes forgotten," she said. "It's also an opportunity to continue to build community for people - both disabled and non-disabled."

Most of the people who attend the retreat are from group homes, but if someone wishes to register a relative for the retreat, they can call Sandi Whitehill at (712) 233-7530 by Feb. 15 for the Sioux City retreat or call Mary Kennedy-Seiler at (515) 332-4405 by Feb. 18 for the Fort Dodge retreat.

"We appreciate the support of the Knights of Columbus because it's through their funding that we are able to provide this at no charge for the participants," said Hurni. "We are grateful for the local community that help us with the retreat."