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Fall gathering to educate
and inspire religious educators
By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)
Youth ministers, directors of religious education and pastoral ministers will meet next month for a gathering that will offer them an opportunity for inspiration and faith formation to set the tone for the year.
According to Sean Martin, diocesan director of religious education, family life and youth and young adult ministry, this year’s Fall Gathering is slated for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Aug. 31, at Sacred Heart Parish Center in Early.
The gathering will begin with a presentation by Bishop R. Walker Nickless, who will speak on the sacrament of marriage. He is expected to reflect upon his pastoral letter, Ecclesia Semper Reformanda: The Church is Always in Need of Renewal.
In that letter, Bishop Nickless wrote, “Sacramental marriage is the source of holiness for the spouses, and through them the children. It is a holy place, a sanctuary, where each has distinct roles and responsibilities, where the faith is passed on, nurtured, lived and deepened.”
Martin noted that this is a very fitting topic for the gathering as the theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday is Matrimony: The Sacrament of Enduring Love.
To tie in with the theme of marriage, Karmen Bower, assistant director of religious education and family life; and Andrea Jenson, assistant director of youth and young adult ministry, will offer some tips for practical implementation of the catechetical theme into parish programs.
Martin said he likes the theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday as he believes it is a relevant topic in this day and age.
Given the new gay marriage law in Iowa, he said that it is more important than ever “to present the truths of the faith regarding the sacrament of marriage. It is important for the parishes to present that to the youth and the adults.”
And while youth in religious education programs might be years away from the sacrament of marriage, Martin stressed the concept of “remote preparation” for the sacrament.
He pointed out that marriage preparation classes are somewhat of a last-ditch effort in instructing couples about what the church teaches concerning the sacrament of marriage.
“A lot of couples come to us uncatechized, not really knowing what the sacrament of marriage is all about and they possibly have some false notions,” Martin said. “I think it is important to start earlier – before they get engaged and even before they are dating.”
Bower and Jenson plan to offer tips on ways that parishes can help their parishioners learn about the sacrament whether it is in religious education classes for youth or RCIA for adults.
“Marriage is the core of society,” Martin said. “It is important for us to know what God has intended for marriage between a man and a woman. He intended for us to have holy marriages and families. And when we live what God intended, we are joyful and happy.”
Following the presentation by Bower and Jenson, there will be a business meeting where they will address diocesan programming and layout the calendar for the year.
In addition to the business and educational values of this gathering, Martin said the DREs, youth ministers and pastoral ministers should find value in the networking opportunities.
If you have questions about this gathering, contact Kaleigh Yantz at kaleighy@scdiocese.org.