Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 23, 2002
Catechists seek to strengthen skills at upcoming conference
Feb. 22-23 archdiocesan Catechetical Conference open to public
By Alwen Bledsoe
The archdiocesan sponsored Catechetical Conference, "Witness, Teach, Educate: Forming Disciples For the New Millennium," to take place Feb. 22 and 23 is already attracting catechists from Denver to Aspen.
Erlinda Morehead, director of religious education at St. Mary, Aspen, is attending the conference with another religious education teacher from the parish.
"I'm so excited about it," Morehead said.
Morehead, whose other full-time job is working as vice-president of Alpine Bank, volunteers her time for the church.
"I don't feel like I've had much in the way of formal training," she said. So when she heard about the conference, she eagerly signed up.
Though she used to teach religious education for elementary school students, she has recently moved on to middle-schoolers.
"It's a whole new ball game," Morehead said, but one that she hopes the conference will help her play.
"The nice part is that it covers the whole gamut from young preschool age all the way through high school or more so you can pick and choose," she said.
Currently Morehead teaches second-, seventh- and eighth-grade and is looking at the possibility of teaching confirmation classes next year.
"So I need a lot of help," she said with a laugh.
Jere Allen, director of catechesis at St. Thomas More, Centennial, will also be attending the conference with six other staff members and with some of the adult educators.
She is attending, she said, to get " a better sense of, like the title this year says, how to form disciples for the new millennium and how to improve our catechetical ministry here at St. Thomas More."
A draw this year are the "outstanding speakers," Allen added, mentioning specifically Christopher Walker, liturgist, lecturer, composer and conductor for the Oregon Catholic Press, and Sister Mary Ann Figlino, C.S.J., of the Empowerment Center in Denver.
Other speakers include Father John Hurley, C.S.P., executive director of the Secretariat for Evangelization, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Bishop José Gomez will give a bilingual homily and Spanish workshop.
Allen has been attending the conference since 1981 when it was called the Mile High Congress.
"It's inspiring to see that many people together for one purpose and to celebrate Mass together with the archbishop," she said.
The conference is being held at the Holiday Inn DIA located at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Chambers Road in Denver. Cost is $45 for a single day and $60 for two. Discounts are available for parishes or individuals in need. Call Lauretta Proulx at 303-715-3144 or Vicki Medina at 303-715-3200 for more information.
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