Prepare for parish ministry

Prepare the Way What: Prepare the Way 2001, an evening featuring 20 different workshops in eight areas of parish ministry. Who: Pastors, parish directors, adult education committee members, boards of total Catholic education, cemetery committees, parish council members, social concerns committees, worship committees and youth ministry advisors. When/Where: Aug. 6, St. Mary Central High School, Neenah Aug. 7, Roncalli High School, Manitowoc Aug. 8, St. Matthew School, Green Bay Aug. 13, Xavier High School, Appleton Aug. 16, All Saints School, St. John Campus, Antigo Aug. 21, St. Philip's School, Green Bay Time: 6:45 - 9:15 p.m. Fee: $25 per person. Registration/Information: Call (920)437-7531, ext. 8272 or (877)500-3580, ext. 8272; Fax: (920)437-0694; e-mail: rdenissen@gbdioc.org.

Prepare the Way 2001 kicks off on Monday, Aug. 6, at St. Mary Central High School in Neenah. Prepare the Way, which began in 1995, is an evening of workshops designed for officers and members of parish committees, councils and boards.

"Summoned to Serve," the diocesan annual theme is at the heart of Prepare the Way, said Mark Mogilka, diocesan director of Pastoral Services.

"We are providing those people summoned to the call to use their gifts and talents in parish ministry, the opportunity to gather," he said.

Each Prepare the Way evening runs from 6:45 to 9:15 p.m. It begins with a gathering including an opening prayer and reflection presented by Sr. Laura Zelten, OSF, vocations director for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross.

"The gathering is one of the highlights," said Andrea Sabor, diocesan consultant for Catechesis K-6, who will present two workshops on catechetical ministry. "It's a chance for people of different ministries from all over the diocese to come together."

Two sessions of workshops follow. Workshops are being offered in adult catechesis, youth ministry, parish council, catechetical ministry, total Catholic education, worship, parish issues/pastoral concerns and diocesan services.

The workshops are not only designed to provide new information and resources, but also to reaffirm what people are already doing in their parishes, said Chris Broslavick, diocesan consultant for Educational Programs, who will present workshops on accreditation and development for education board members.

"It's important for boards of education to take a good look at their school," she said. "Development goes beyond fundraising. It includes the quality of education, public relations, marketing and recruitment in addition to finances. Articulate the good stuff and take a realistic look at the things you want to improve."

The opportunity to interact with people is a benefit of Prepare the Way, said Ann Fox, diocesan consultant for Administrative Services in the department of Total Catholic Education, who will present two workshops for education board members.

"It is nice to meet new people and to renew acquaintances," she said. "It also is a good opportunity to let people know about upcoming events and programs that they may find helpful."

Mogilka agrees that Prepare the Way, which is funded by the Bishop's Appeal, is helpful in developing relationships between diocesan staff members and those involved in parish ministry.

"I think they learn that we are real human beings with spirit and a sense of humor," he joked. "People will also realize that they do not have to reinvent the wheel to get a program going in their parish. We have file cabinets full of resources to help them. We are here to serve them not to dictate how they should do something."

Many parishes use Prepare the Way as a parish social gathering, added Mogilka.

"Some groups go out to dinner and head over together," he said. "On the way home, they may talk about what they learned. They have a good time."

"It's nice to see the dedication of the people who attend," said Fox. "We get to see the goodness in people and their willingness to serve."

Prepare the Way is funded by the Bishop's Appeal.