`Co-Workers’ responded to reality, speaker says VIEW GALLERY (use keyboard arrow keys to navigate)
By Fabvienen Taylor
MADISON — Dena Kinsey, Clinton Holy Savior catechist, attended the “Co-Workers in the Vineyard” conference for two reasons. “As a certified catechist, attending the conference counts as a credit in keeping my certification as a catechist. Also, this is time I get to help enrich myself, to learn new things I can take back to my parish.”
The conference, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Faith Formation and William H. Sadlier Publishing, was held in two locations: Saturday, Sept. 20, at St. Francis of Assisi and on Sunday, Sept. 21, at St. Mary Church in Batesville.
Over 110 people serving in a variety of ministries in their parishes attended the conference in their area.
The keynote speaker for the morning session was Dr. Edward Hahnenberg, assistant professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the author of “Ministries: A Relational Approach” and “A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II.”
His topic was the 2005 statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry.” Dr. Hahnenberg was a consultant for the document.
Dr. Hahnenberg gave a basic introduction to the document, pointing out it came as a response to what was already a reality.
“The bishops acknowledged that reality as a spirit-led reality of the emergence of the different lay ministries in the church,” he said. “It affirms the reality, the reality of lay ecclesial ministry, the work of lay ecclesial ministers and the ministers themselves.”
The 68-page document, he said, seeks to support and help integrate those ministries into the total ministerial life of the church.
“It does that by affirming the basically relational nature of ministry, that we are deeply connected to one another through our connection to Christ, and our commitment to Christ’s mission,” Dr. Hahnenberg said.
“The bishops say in the document they are responding to this reality and they are searching for ways to affirm it, pointing out how it is in continuity with our theological heritage and church teaching but also to support the reality by talking about ways in which to encourage individuals in the ministry by calling dioceses and other groups to help support more formation for these ministers, to clarify the ways in which they are authorized and the ways in which they are supported in very concrete ways in the workplace.”
Afternoon break-out sessions, or workshops, included “Leading Prayer: An Art and Skill,” “Companions on the Journey,” “Faith Formation as the DRE,” “RCIA: Total Parish Ministry,” and “Adolescent Catechesis: The Heart of Youth Ministry.”
