Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
August 7, 2002
Scripture scholar to present upcoming Catechetical Leaders Retreat
Jesuit Father John Kilgallen to speak on discipleship, evangelization
By Alwen Bledsoe
This year the Archdiocese of Denver is renewing an old tradition and offering a retreat for those who spend their lives, or even just their free time, evangelizing and nurturing the faiths of others. This year's Catechetical Leaders Retreat will run Aug. 20-21 at St. Malo Retreat and Conference Center in Allenspark.
"It was something that was greatly appreciated in the past and something that really built the catechetical family within the archdiocese, and so they've spoken about it and requested it, and we've responded to that need," said Marco Roman, secretary for evangelization and catechesis. "It's open to anyone who engages in the work of catechesis and evangelization, really anyone — any Catholic or Christian."
Father John J. Kilgallen, S.J., is the retreat master for the weekend. The Scripture scholar has taught both in the U.S. and Rome, Roman said.
Don Schneider is the director of evangelization and catechesis for the Northern area and Northeast plains.
"It's always just a wonderful resource to have somebody who has made the study of Scripture their life's work come and share some of that," he said.
The Jesuit priest will speak on discipleship in the Gospel and help catechetical leaders apply it to their ministry at the parish level, Schneider added.
"It's wonderful having a world class Bible scholar like that reflect with us and present continual insight and deeper understand of themes we as catechetical leaders try to deal with at the parish level," Schneider added.
Roman said Father Kilgallen was chosen for the conference largely because of his expertise in the biblical books of Luke and Acts, both of which are heavy on conversion and discipleship.
"We were looking for someone who could give us Scriptural insights into really what's most important to our work as catechists, which is conversion, faith and discipleship," he explained.
The whole weekend will revolve around those three concepts, Roman added.
The retreat is an overnight affair, and $99 buys four meals, a room and entrance to the conference. The conference will include talks given by Father Kilgallen and time for prayer and reflection. Mass, fellowship and socializing are also on the agenda, Roman said.
"Catechetical leaders need to be continually nourished spiritually, and retreats are one of the main ways a catechist can do that," he added.
"You can't share at the parish level what you haven't nurtured in yourself," Schneider said.
Retreats are also a way to expand one's circle of friends and to nurture important relationships with others involved in the same work, Schneider added.
"August and September are such busy times in parish ministries where it's meeting after meeting," he continued. "This is a time to step out of that for a short time in a place as beautiful as St. Malo to be refreshed there and by the people there. It's a time to relax together and to pray together."
Retreat-goers will come away with a renewed sense of their mission as evangelizers and teachers as well as with renewed fellowship, Roman predicted.
"They're going to build a strong sense of community and solidarity among themselves as catechetical leaders," he said.
Both Schneider and Roman said they will be attending and are looking forward to the conference.
"I'm personally very excited about it," Roman said. "I know as the secretary (for evangelization and catechesis) how important it is for my own spiritual welfare to attend these types of retreats."
For more information, call the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at the archdiocese: 303-715-3144.
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