Evangelization sessions: Presentations receive positive feedback

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 15, 2008

With the idea to help adult Catholics better know their faith so that they might share it with others, the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of Sioux City hosted an evangelization series centered on papal wisdom.

Mark Thomason, diocesan director of catechesis, evangelization and RCIA, called response to the sessions amazing.

"We had about 30 people at every single session with about 50 percent showing up consistently," he said. "Some people came for one, some came for a couple." A few showed up for all the sessions.

The series, called Papal Wisdom: A series of lectures and discussions, consisted of 10 lectures on the popes of the 20th century and their papal documents. They were presented during the month of April and first part of May at Trinity Heights in Sioux City.

Two sessions were presented for each of these five topics - Evangelization and Peace: Evangelii Nuntiandi by Paul VI and Pacem in Terris by John XXIII; Apologetics: What We (Catholics) Believe and Where to Find it in Papal Writing; Who God Is and How He Loves Us: Sacamentum Caritatis and Deus Caritas Est by Benedict XVI; Apologetics: How to Defend the Faith by Speaking the Truth in Love with the Modern Popes; and The Laity and the Eucharist: Christifideles Laici & Ecclesia De Eucharistia by John Paul II.

Three of the five topics were presented by Thomason. His wife, Nicole Nelsen Thomason, who also holds a master's in theology, presented the lectures on Pope Benedict XVI and his writings. David Lopez, Ph.D. and chancellor of the diocese, presented the session on John Paul II, which also diversified into Q&A or conversations about the Mass and the Eucharist.

Positive response

Ron Klemme of Hawarden attended the sessions with his wife Kathy.

"We were very curious to the nature of the presentations and wanted to learn more about the papal encyclicals," he said.

The Klemmes left the sessions with enthusiasm of Frank Sheed and Maisy Ward - the Great Catholic publishers/apologists of the 20th century.

"Mark and Nicole Thomason and David Lopez were not only inspirational but their love for Christ and the church was real and unmistakable," said Ron Klemme. "Kathy and I are both grateful for the opportunity to attend and look with great anticipation to future presentations."

For John McCarthy, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, he attended to learn more about the Catholic faith.

"When I was in grade school the parish I belonged to had to close our school due to budget considerations. I was only able to attend our Catholic school through the sixth grade," he said. "Information about and around the Catholic faith is enormous and I've always wanted to fill in some of those gaps."

McCarthy said he thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and described the lecturers as terrific.

"They were very knowledgeable and they presented the information in an easygoing and informative way," he said. "There was also plenty of time for questions and answers. At the end of the lectures they mentioned that they are considering more sessions in the near future and I'm looking forward to that."

If more sessions are offered, he said he would encourage others to take advantage of them.

Take it to the people

Initially, Thomason had wanted to present some of these sessions out in the diocese but there were no takers. So when a man from Carroll commented that he would have attended this series had it been closer, Thomason gladly said he would present a one-day abridged version of Papal Wisdom in Carroll this fall.

The evangelization director stressed that he is more than willing "to hit the road."

"That has always been the goal - if people want to organize something or if they like what they see - I'd love it if local people want to organize a session for their parish," said Thomason.

He acknowledged that in his first year in the diocese, he has learned that to make programming work and happen, it is essential to have the involvement and organizational component at the parish level.

Looking ahead

"The one resounding comment I received was when is the next session? So we are going to plan more adult sessions," said Thomason.

More than likely some of the future offerings will be held at Trinity Heights, but he would like to offer presentations at other venues. These could be centered on the popes again or numerous other topics. Some potential topics include the Mass, Mary, apologetics, the saints, Vatican II and Scripture.

Thomason mentioned that he is there to serve the people and one of the ways he can do that is to offer opportunities for faith formation.

"Everyone in the church is called to share our faith, so these sessions are for anyone to help them learn more about their faith and share their faith," he said.

For more information, contact Mark Thomason at markt@scdiocese.org.