The Davenport Diocese hopes families will use the Bible more effectively to strengthen their faith.
So the diocese’s June Institute this year will feature a workshop for parish leaders on “Connecting Catholic Families with the Bible.” Slated for June 22 at St. Patrick Church in Iowa City, the event will offer practical strategies for making Scripture vital in Catholics’ everyday lives.
Leading the workshop will be Joan Weber of the Washington state-based Center for Ministry Development, which provides training, resources and consultation for pastoral ministry and catechesis. “Joan is an energizing speaker with a contagious joy for what she teaches,” said Pat Finan, diocesan faith formation coordinator. “She has led many Generations of Faith trainings in our diocese and also is a favorite instructor of many students in the Certificate Program in Youth Ministry Studies.”
The institute is geared to pastors, faith formation leaders, directors of religious education, youth ministers, catechists, school principals and leaders of sacramental preparation.
Because the diocese feels strongly about the Bible’s role in family life, Annual Diocesan Appeal funds are subsidizing the event, Finan said. “We’re also providing the new Catholic Faith and Family Bible as part of the admission fee,” which is $39. “Most dioceses hosting this same training are charging $49, and that doesn’t include the Bible.” Finan said the Davenport Diocese hopes the lower fee and Bible will attract more people and that participants will use what they learn.
The institute’s “solid program” will complement the diocesan August Gathering, “Building with the Bible Blueprint,” and the Little Rock Scripture Study, Finan said. Joe Paprocki, author of “The Bible Blueprint: A Catholic’s Guide to Understanding and Embracing God’s Word,” will speak at the Aug. 6 gathering. Finan said both events are “tools that adults can use to grow in faith and guide their families on the spiritual journey.”
Registration deadline for the June Institute is June 7. To sign up, send your name, phone number, e-mail address, parish or school, and town to Diocese of Davenport, attn. Barbara Butterworth, 2706 N. Gaines St., Davenport, IA 52804. Make checks payable to Diocese of Davenport. For more information, contact Butterworth at butterworthb@davenportdiocese.org or call (563) 324-1912, ext. 265.
