The dictionary describes education as the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process. Okay, then, what is an educational process? Many times we associate education only with school or these special classes called continuing education, but not with all of the other experiences that take place in our midst. Many times we also associate education with only the knowledge and development that relates to our career path. However, I would suggest that there is a learning process in just about every one of our actions, a new bit of information gleaned, but we sometimes choose not to avail ourselves of the opportunity to learn.

As Christian stewards, each of us is called to continually participate in the educational process of our Catholic faith, catechizing ourselves and others. Too often we consider an hour spent at Mass on Sunday morning to be sufficient religion preparation and choose not to participate in other parish activities, small group classes, or to read religious publications. Malcolm S. Forbes was once quoted as saying, "Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one." Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." As Christian stewards, we choose to participate in this catechizing process called education so that our minds are stretched and are opened to hear and understand God’s message for our lives.

When I speak about formal continuing education, I am usually talking about the necessary 40 hours of continuing education that goes along with my accounting background. However, since I also direct the ongoing efforts relative to the stewardship implementation process in the diocese, I also try to attend workshops about stewardship. I just returned from attending the Region IX Stewardship day in Omaha. It was an opportunity not only to speak with others who are very involved in the stewardship education process, but was also a chance to increase my knowledge about this important topic. Learning from those who have been promoting the stewardship message for a long time is a rewarding and informative process.

These information days are not limited only to those of us in leadership roles though, and I would encourage everyone to participate in one or more of the upcoming stewardship activities. First, please mark your calendars for August 27, 2005 when the diocese will host the third Diocesan Stewardship Day at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City. Last year, there were more than 160 persons registered, and separate workshops were held for both English and Spanish speaking participants. This year’s day will be similar. We also have a unique opportunity to attend the International Catholic Stewardship Conference (ICSC) that will be held in Denver in September. I say unique because this is as close as the conference has ever been to our diocese or ever will be. If you are interested in either the diocesan day or the ICSC, please contact me at the chancery.

Tomorrow there will also be a stewardship lesson being taught. Where, you might ask? Well, I can’t really answer that question, but I do know that there will be several chances to participate in a knowledge building experience about stewardship on the day after you read this column because many occur each day. I pray that these continuing education encounters will awaken our minds to God’s will and will draw us closer in our relationship with God. I pray that our minds will be stretched and opened to the wonders that await us, and that each of us will respond as the Christian disciples we are.