News

Spirituality Fair to be held May 3

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

ALLOUEZ -- The Diocese of Green Bay will hold its first Spirituality Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at St. Mary Central High School in Neenah.

The event will feature 11 20-minute sessions on various topics of spirituality, as well as all-day exhibitors and vendors. The day will open and close with prayer services.

"The fair caters more to the average Catholic who wants to learn about their faith but doesn't have the time to attend long workshops or classes," said Patti Christensen, spirituality and evangelization director for the diocese. "We designed this so people can come in whenever they want, and leave whenever they want, and in between sample and learn different things about spirituality."

Representatives from the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, the Norbertines, the Oneida Nation, and the Hmong and Hispanic communities will all share aspects of the spiritual growth in our relationship with God and with each other.

Mary Ann Bayer will offer an outdoor meditation in Jane's Woods, a nature area on the school grounds. Included will be workshops on icons, Celtic spirituality, and the spirituality of work and of gardening.

Norbertine Fr. Conrad Kratz, director of the Norbertine Spirituality Center in De Pere, will offer the keynote: "Introduction to the Spiritual Life for All Ages and All Faiths" at 9:40 a.m.

"This fair is for Catholics who want to learn more about their faith," Christensen said, adding that the event is geared to be interactive and open to anyone, and to those of other faiths.

"People who may be curious about what spirituality in the Catholic Church looks like should come and see," said Christensen. She added that the diocese hopes to make the Spirituality Fair an annual event offered at various sites in northeast Wisconsin.

Admission to the fair is a donation of non-perishable food items that will be given to St. Joseph Food Pantry, Appleton.

For more information on the Spirituality Fair, contact Christensen, toll-free at 877-500-3580, ext. 8304.