Lessons for catechetical leaders as school year begins

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 23, 2007

FONDA - Diocesan ministers shared ideas and resources at a recent Fall Gathering.

"It is a great time for the people to connect and talk ministry," said Jessica La Fleur Malm, director of youth and young adult ministry for the diocese. "It is a time to share ideas and what they are doing."

A pastoral minister at Holy Trinity Parish in Webster County, Laura Anderson, attended the gathering to become more acquainted with the diocese.

"It was nice to put a face to the diocesan staff and learn about my fellow ministers in the diocese, what they are doing and some of the resources they are using," she said. "They gave some good suggestions for some different books and Web sites."

Kerry Noethe, DRE and youth minister at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda, also found the resources to be helpful.

The Aug. 18 gathering was held at OLGC in Fonda. The theme was Encountering the Living Christ through Scripture, the Mass and the Eucharist.

"We were very happy to help out and have it in an area that is centrally located so that a lot of people could come," said Noethe. "We always like to take advantage of the opportunity to help get people together."

Thirty pastors, deacons, DREs, youth ministers, pastoral ministers, catechists, intergenerational ministers and religious education secretaries participated.

The day began with prayer and sharing resources between ministers. The participants talked about good things that have been going on in their parishes and some brought up questions, said La Fleur.

Her portion of the day was presenting ways for people to encounter Christ through Scripture.

"We talked about things that have specifically worked for Scripture in the classroom, in youth ministry and different parish programs," said La Fleur.

The group discussed challenges of using Scripture. La Fleur showed examples of different ways to use Scripture. The participants paired up to read a Scripture passage and answer reflections questions about the passage.

"The goal was that you can do quick little things in the classroom that are Scripture based," she said. "Don't wait and have one day on Scripture. You can take five or 10 minutes of every class to do this."

The participants attended Mass followed by lunch. Father Thomas Hart, pastor at OLGC, presided at Mass in the chapel. The two deacons in attendance were servers for the Mass.

In afternoon Father Brad Pelzel, director of vocations for the Diocese of Sioux City, discussed how people encounter Christ through the Mass as well as the importance of Mass.

"I thought Father Brad had some very moving personal stories that added a lot to his presentation," said Noethe.

The last presenter for the day, Mark Thomason, diocesan director of catechesis, evangelization and RCIA, related how people encounter Christ through the Eucharist.

"I talked about the Eucharist and how it is important in the lives of Catholics - how we can use it and should use it all the time," he said.

If ministers were unable to attend this workshop, Thomason encourages them to register for the Diocesan Ministries Conference coming up in September.