Eucharist to be focus of Diocesan Ministries Conference

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 9, 2007

SPENCER - The 2007 Diocesan Ministries Conference will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer.

The ministries conference will be held Sept. 23 and 24. The same speakers will be featured both days.

"People have two different options. Both of them are in Spencer at the events center," said Jessica La Fleur Malm, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Sioux City. "Both will cover the same materials and contents."

The theme of the conference is The Eucharist: The Community and the Mission of the Church. Anyone is invited to attend the conference.

"It was formulated with those who work in ministry in mind - pastors, catechists, school teachers, school administrators, youth ministers, book keepers," said La Fleur.

The keynote speakers are Father Godfrey Mullen, OSB and Father Denis Robinson, OSB.

"They will both be speaking on the Eucharist and its importance in our lives, our communities and what that means for us as far as mission and evangelization," said La Fleur.

Father Mullen is a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey and has been an associate pastor, choirmaster of the monastery, chaplain to a monastery of Benedictine sisters and has given workshops, retreats and missions in the area of liturgy and liturgical spirituality. He is the director of the Office of Permanent Deacon Formation, director of liturgy and associate dean of formation at St. Meinrad School of Theology.

Father Robinson is a theologian with special interest in the work of John Henry Newman. He also teaches and writes in the areas of reformation theology, Anglican studies, theology and literature and priesthood. He has published a number of articles and papers and has presented on Newman in several countries.

"This year the format is switching from a little keynote with a bunch of little workshops to two significant keynotes that will really have a strong message and be inspiring for everyone," said La Fleur. "The idea is that it will appeal to everyone. No matter where you are in your ministry or in your life, you can benefit from this."

She continued that the purpose of having two keynotes is to have all the attendees hear the same thing.

On Sept. 23, registration will begin at 12 p.m. followed by Liturgy of the Hours at 1 p.m. Session I will start at 1:30 p.m. and session II will begin at 3:40 p.m. The day will conclude with vespers at 5:30 p.m.

On Sept. 24, registration will begin at 8 a.m. followed by Mass at 9 a.m. with Bishop R. Walker Nickless as the main celebrant. Session I will start at 10:30 a.m. with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and session II at 1:30 p.m. The day will end with Liturgy of the Hours at 3:30 p.m.

"It is a day for everyone in the diocese to get together to hear a common message," said La Fleur. "Hopefully that message will inspire us to live the Eucharist in our community and mission within our ministry and life as well. It is our hope that we will have a deeper understanding of how the Eucharist dwells within us and drives us."

There will be vendors as well as displays of diocesan programs. Some vendors include Fitzgibbon Company, Harcourt Religion Publishers, Innovative Benefits, Principal Group, Resources for Christian Living, Sadlier, Inc., Sister of St. Francis of Dubuque and Trinity Heights.

La Fleur mentioned that another change this year is that the conference is being offered at no cost, however, each person is asked to send in a registration.

There are two options for registration - e-mail or paper. For e-mail registration, send the necessary information - date of attendance (Sept. 23 or 24), name, address, parish/school, city, home phone, e-mail, position/ministry at school/parish and any special dietary needs - to dmc07@scdiocese.org. If using paper form, mail in the entry that was sent out.

All registrations must be received by Sept. 17. For more information, send an e-mail to dmc07@scdiocese.org or call (712) 233-7520.