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ALLOUEZ — The setting is new, but the challenge is familiar for Dr. Kristina DeNeve, Spirituality and Evangelization director for the Diocese of Green Bay.
DeNeve is part of the diocesan department of Evangelization and Worship along with Dr. Helen Scieszka, Family and Married Life director, and Clare Sturm, Worship and Sacraments director. She joined the diocese in November of 2008, and said she was attracted to the position because Bishop David Ricken "has a clear vision of the direction of spirituality and evangelization, but programs are not already in place." The situation is similar to her previous position at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.
"All of my background has been in the university setting," she said. "At Creighton, my position related to Ignatian spirituality within the context of the faculty, students, staff and alumni. When I started, they already had in mind the programs that they wanted to have, but they hadn't started any of them. They had an idea, but I had to build the foundation."
Kristina DeNeve
For example, the university had approved a program where 50 sophomores live in community, take classes together and focus on service. "The program was described in the grant in one paragraph, so I had to take one paragraph and turn it into a year-long program," said DeNeve. "That was a really good environment for me. I was excited because it seemed like the diocese was in a similar place related to spirituality and evangelization efforts. There are a lot of folks that have some really good ideas, and it's an opportunity for me to build on a lot of those really good ideas."
DeNeve added that her timing in joining the diocese was both good and bad. She didn't want to immediately implement programs during Advent; so instead, she focused on getting to know the faithful. "I spent a lot of time listening," she said. "I wanted to know the ideas and frustrations people have in these areas."
DeNeve is a graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and completed her doctorate in social psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While at Creighton, she completed a master's in Christian spirituality and became a retreat and spiritual director. Prior to Creighton, she worked as a professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
While, her background suggests that the spirituality element of her position would be the easier of the two, that has not been the case, said DeNeve.
"Evangelization is starting to take shape," she said. "We are looking at how and when to make more effective use of media. When in northeast Wisconsin should we be running commercials, putting up billboards and doing radio ads? Should we be putting mini-signs in bathroom stalls? We are looking at when, where and how to build the kingdom. We are looking for effective ways to communicate. What will the message be, and how will we frame the message?"
Spirituality has been more challenging, said DeNeve.
"Every parish is doing something for Lent," she said. "Looking at the diocesan level, what should I be doing for people to deepen and broaden their spirituality? It's been a little less clear. I've been visiting retreat centers, meeting people and listening to their needs."
DeNeve, who is originally from Moline, Ill., said she would like to make more people in the diocese familiar with spiritual direction opportunities. She is also looking at ways to build upon the numerous spiritual influences within the diocese, such as the Norbertine, Franciscan and Jesuit traditions.
"When a person finds a spirituality that resonates more for them, then I want to be able to provide resources to help that person explore and tap into the depths of that spirituality," she said. "I want to be available to people in the parish, the staff and to the priests."
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