National conference focuses on evangelization

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 18, 2006

When someone works for the church it's more than just a career, it's a ministry. But like professionals in any field of work, attending national conferences can offer a boost of energy and ideas.

Linda Anderson, diocesan director of catechesis, and three DREs from the diocese recently attended the National Conference for Catechetical Leaders in Chicago. Other diocesan participants include Julie Anne Bovenmyer of Boone, Carolyn Von Tersch of Denison and Charlotte Willenborg of Manning.

The theme of the conference was Catechesis and Culture: Challenge and Hope. It started on a spiritual note with Sunday liturgy celebrated by Bishop Malone.

Conference goers attended a mix of general sessions with keynote speakers, workshops and roundtable discussions.

"Although the theme sounds narrow - catechesis and culture - all of the workshops and speakers were broad-based," noted Anderson, who explained that in this reference culture was referring to the concept of how people live rather than tied to ethnicity.

For instance, one of the workshops she attended centered on morality - how people try to live a moral life.

Two Jesuit priests offered the keynote presentations for the general sessions.

Father Allan Figueroa Deck focused his message on evangelization and passing on the faith.

"He said evangelization is a process that engages the entire world including you and me. It is rooted in the Gospel of Christ and that changes your heart," noted Anderson. "It's about a personal call to transformation. It's about the ongoing response and outreach to others."

The speaker encouraged people to ask now what after they had accepted Jesus. After people hear and people know the message of Christ, what do they do with it?

Father Michael Paul Gallagher spoke about relationships and content for those that work in the church.

"He said if the relationship is right, the content will be heard," explained Anderson. "You give witness to the Gospel message by developing relationships with other people. If you develop a solid relationship with people, they are going to listen. A lot of times, a big part of the message is your life and how you live it."

She also liked Father Gallagher's definition of evangelization: "Surprising people with a gift they don't know they need."

Anderson also received great information and concepts from the workshops that she attended. Father Dennis Lyle, STD, who presented a workshop on moral theology, said, "My moral life is not just between me and God. My moral life should influence and help transform others. My moral life must extend into the world in which we live. It should have a positive influence on and in the world."

That message about living the message, not just speaking it, was common throughout most of the presentations.

Von Tersch, DRE and youth minister at St. Rose of Lima in Denison, said she came away from the conference with some good ideas for ways to get adults involved in faith formation.

"They suggested non-threatening programs like short Bible studies - ways to get people involved that don't commit them to a classroom for a whole year," she said. "They may sign up for a four- or six-week Bible study or video series but wouldn't want to commit to weekly teaching a class."

She enjoyed the round table discussion on the beatitudes, which will help her live her life more in tune with the Gospels.

Bovenmyer described going to the conference as a good opportunity to recharge and visit with other people that are in the same ministry. She had attended the conference two prior years and always had a positive experience.

"A number of the workshops dealt with the intergenerational and cultural background. It was looking at where your parish is at and where the people are coming from and how to best serve them," she said.

At one of the roundtable discussions, two people from Ireland facilitated it. In that country, it is typical for children to know about 40 prayers. To assist them in remembering, most of the prayers are put to songs.

"They offered some creative ways to get children to remember," said Bovenmyer.

She encouraged other people to go to this national conference in the future because she came home with many good ideas.

"If you don't go to things like this, you kind of stagnate," said Anderson. "Reading books is not the same as hearing people speak, having the opportunity to visit with others from all over the country. It revitalizes you."

Another plus of such conferences, noted the Sioux City delegation, was having the opportunity to check out exhibits, look over materials and speak with representatives from publishers.

Knowing that she would be able to preview some of the new materials was one of the reasons why Von Tersch opted to go to the conference.

"They give you a lot of free resources and information," she said.

Bovenmyer also liked the opportunity to speack directly with the publishers.