Lenten resource available at no cost to parishioners in diocese

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Dec. 14, 2006

Once again, the Office of Adult and Family Ministry for the Diocese of Sioux City will provide a faith sharing resource for Lent at no cost.

"We are offering to parish faith sharing groups a resource that they will be able to use for six weeks during Lent," said Bev Hurni, director of adult and family ministry for the diocese. "It is funded by centennial campaign dollars. This is the second year that we have offered this to parishes."

Holy Ground, the six-week resource, is based on the Year C - Sunday readings during the season Lent. The resource was written by Cary Brown, pastoral minister and DRE at St. Mary Church in Storm Lake. She also wrote the resource that was distributed last year.

"It gives a reflection on each of the three readings for each Sunday as well as some questions to discuss and a prayer to end the time with," said Hurni.

The items of discussion for the six weeks include First Sunday of Lent - Meeting God on Holy Ground; Second Sunday of Lent - Holy Ground Invites Transfiguring/Change; Third Sunday of Lent - God Reveals Himself on Holy Ground; Fourth Sunday of Lent - Everyday on Holy Ground; Fifth Sunday of Lent - You are Holy Ground; and Palm Sunday - Holy Gift of Self.

"There are many faith sharing resources available through various publishers, but this one is available at no cost. A lot of times parishes don't have a budget for adult faith formation so it helps them in that way," said Hurni. "I like Cary's knack for helping people see new insights in familiar Scripture stories. She has kind of a down-to-earth style that creates a hospitable environment that welcomes new learners as well as experienced Scripture readers."

Hurni noted that several parishes have faith sharing groups that meet during Lent.

"Lent is a time when people will more naturally make space in their busy life to do something extra," said Hurni. "The resource is primarily being offered to parishes, but if people are already meeting in groups and would like to use it, they can contact us as well."

She pointed out that last year one parish used the resource with their RCIA group as part of the dismissal and a priest used the resource as the theme for his homilies.

Some comments that the office received last year about the resource include: "The materials helped participants to live as God desires them to live;" "Gave new and deeper perspective for Lenten faithfulness;" "Our discussion became more and more passionate and interesting;" and "Increased prayer life and Scripture reading with attentiveness."

Parishes have been sent a sample of the first session in general mail. Anyone else who would like to see that can contact the Office of Adult and Family Ministry.

The Office of Adult and Family Ministry has asked that orders for the resource be received by Jan. 15, so that materials can be delivered to parishes the week of Feb. 5. For more information, contact the Office of Adult and Family Ministry at (712) 233-7530 or e-mail sandiw@scdiocese.org.