Living Like Francis Today focus of retreat
Intended for DREs, youth ministers, parish staff and more

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 13, 2006

CAMP OKOBOJI - Every spring the Offices of Catechesis and Youth Ministry offer to those who have been ministering to others all year long a chance for a bit of spiritual nourishment of their own.

According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis, a retreat for religious educators, youth ministers and parish personnel will once again be offered. The retreat is slated for May 8 and 9 at Camp Okoboji.

Living Like Francis Today will be the theme of the retreat. Sister Marci Blum, a Franciscan, will serve as the spiritual director and retreat leader.

"I knew that she had put together a faith-sharing booklet on that topic; she is well-versed on the subject," noted Anderson. "She was a speaker at a regional meeting that I attended in Omaha a few years ago and she gave a wonderful presentation."

Originally from Sioux City, Sister Marci attended St. Michael Grade School and Heelan High School. She received her bachelor's from Briar Cliff College and later went on to earn a master's and doctorate.

Sister Marci has served as a Catholic schoolteacher and parish faith formation director. Presently she is director of the Office of Family Life and Adult Faith in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Anderson said she likes the topic Living Like Francis Today "because our lives get so complicated. We need to learn to sit back and refocus our lives - look at living more simply and be in tune with creation. We can learn so much from St. Francis and I think Sister Marci will be a wonderful person to lead us there as our spiritual guide."

While the retreat is intended for catechetical leaders and other parish personnel, Anderson stressed the fact that anyone interested in attending is certainly welcome to attend as long as space allowed. She mentioned that it is not likely that it would fill to the point of having to turn anyone away.

She pointed out that they generally schedule the retreat for early May because that is when parish religious education programs are winding down and usually precedes graduation conflicts.

"The numbers vary from year to year, we usually have 20 to 30 people. We can certainly accommodate more than that," said Anderson. "We continue to offer this because these people provide so much to others throughout the year and they are willing to come to workshops to gain information so they can help people in the parishes, but this is just for them. The intent of this retreat is so that they may have some spiritual renewal and refreshment."

The retreat begins at 4 p.m. on Monday with socialization until 6 p.m. dinner. There will be one presentation offered at 7 p.m. and that will be followed by prayer at 8 p.m.

The retreat continues at 9 a.m. Tuesday with continental breakfast, followed by 9:45 morning prayer. The first presentation is slated for 10 a.m. with designated personal reflection time at 11 a.m. Table prayer at noon is followed by the meal and a 1 p.m. presentation. The retreatants will have another chance for personal reflection time at 1:30 p.m. before the close at 2 p.m.

"We always hope for good weather because it is always so nice to be able to go outside and walk by the lake," said Anderson. "The setting itself is very relaxing."

People may opt to attend both days or just one. The cost is $35 for both days or $25 dollars if attending one day. The fee includes the overnight accommodations at Camp Okoboji as well as meals.

Registrations and payment are due by May 2. Send registrations and the non-refundable payment to the diocese: '06 May Retreat, Offices of Catechesis and Youth Ministry, P.O. Box 3379, Sioux City, IA 51102-3379.