Pastoral Ministry Formation class to be taught by Father Wesley Schawe:

Pastoral Ministry Formation class to be taught by Father Wesley Schawe:

Plowing the Field: The Church and Rural Life

Editor’s note: Following is a description of a class being offered through the Pastoral Ministry Formation program of the Diocese of Dodge City.

It would be difficult to live in Kansas without finding yourself in some way affected by, or tied to, the world of agriculture. Whether a lifelong farmer, a city-dweller, living in towns big or small, the changing face of rural life in the United States is something that should be of particular interest to everyone in the state of Kansas.

Last spring, the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program offered the course "Catholic Social Teaching." "Plowing the Field" continues to explore the rich social teaching of the Catholic Church and its potential for guidance when considering such topics as family farms, shifts in agricultural production, social services in rural areas, biotechnology, and environmental issues.

"Plowing the Field" will also be an opportunity for those who participate in the first session of the Catechist Formation Program in September titled, "Weaving Justice, Faith, and Service Together," to gain an even deeper understanding of a call for justice. However, participation in the Catechist Formation Program or the class last spring is not necessary to join this class.

The class will be taught over the ITV system and will meet Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2, 9 on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Father Wesley Schawe, will be the instructor for this course. The class will explore the U.S. Bishops’ statement For I was Hungry & You Gave Me Food, and will share the fruits of Father Wesley’s recently completed thesis, "Rural Life in the United States and the Social Justice Teaching of the Catholic Church."

"Plowing the Field" can be taken for college credit $45 or personal enrichment $22.50. For more information contact your pastor or contact Coleen Stein by e-mail, coleenstein@rurallink.net, or by phone (620) 225-2156.