"Doing Church: Modeling Church Life and Ministry" is a one-hour course providing a process for planning in the Diocese of Dodge City and its parishes.

The process includes the following key elements: change that influences our society and church; scripture; theological reflection; and diversity of people and culture.

Father Robert Schremmer will teach this course for the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program via Interactive Television, beginning August 21.

"Doing Church" will meet four Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon, on Aug. 21, Sept.18, Oct. 2 and 16. For more information, contact Coleen Stein, Pastoral Ministry Formation Program coordinator, (620) 225-2156 or coleenstein@rurallink.net

When he became Bishop of Dodge City, Bishop Ronald Gilmore asked that individuals engage in a process of transforming each community, town, and city "into God’s cities." He invited individuals on a pilgrimage of discovery -- not of what they want their future to be, but of what God wants them to do and change.

By using the text, "Sacred Acts, Holy Change: Faithful Diversity and Practical Transformation" by Eric Law, participants will engage in, and reflect upon, this pilgrimage of discovery.

Bishop Gilmore has consistently stressed in all pastoral planning that individuals are to seek the "deep down things." This echoes the Holy Father’s desire that in this new millennium, people set out into the deep waters. Eric Law presents pastoral techniques, strategies and disciplines that facilitate this desire for depth.

As Law states: "Churches that work very hard to change in shallow water without addressing the challenges found in the deep, rushing currents often find themselves exactly where they were in the beginning, but more exhausted and with fewer resources."

Father Ted Skalsky first introduced the Diocese to Eric Law and his process for holy change. Father Skalsky saw in Law’s writings and his strategies valuable tools for people in the Diocese of Dodge City.

In fall 2002, five people of the diocese attended a week-long workshop in San Antonio, TX, at the request of Bishop Gilmore. They concurred with Father Skalsky’s original insight, and have been testing and piloting many of Law’s insights and strategies in various parishes and venues of the diocese.

While not a member of that team, Father Schremmer will draw on the experience of these five participants and the subsequent efforts. The course provides an opportunity to share these learned procedures with more people throughout the diocese.

Eric Law is scheduled to visit the diocese in April 2005, to further share this process of holy change.

What people are saying about the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program

"The most important thing is that it brought me closer to God. It’s a wealth of knowledge about our faith and brings us to a clearer understanding of it. I would recommend it to anyone. Take advantage of it. It’s an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up."

"The Pastoral Ministry Formation Program changed my life by changing my priorities. Course by course, the program both demystified the Church and heightened the mystery that is the Church. The program leads you to an understanding, at least in part, of the structure, governance, hierarchy and its development and evolution, as well as how the Church relates to the world. On the other hand, the mystery is heightened as one comes to an awareness of the persistent and loving guidance of the Holy Spirit over more than 2,000 years. I received my degree on a Saturday and approached my pastor on Sunday and said, ‘Put me to work.’ Another challenge is that the pastoral ministry formation program just ‘wets your whistle’ so to speak. One is compelled to continue the quest."

"I would say that the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program has given me a much better and deeper understanding of the Church, scriptures, and my faith. This makes a difference in living my life, as your faith life should impact the entirety of your life. Your faith is not to be lived out only by going to Mass on weekends, but it should show in your daily life. Anything that improves your faith life then, should improve the rest of your life as well."

"Through the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program, I have discovered a vast knowledge of Catholic Tradition that has awakened in me an awareness of how God works through his people to lead us to salvation."

"I was never one to read the Bible so to speak, and it did make me a little more familiar with the Bible and how to read it and interpret some of it. Also, I think [it emphasizes] the importance of lay people the Church, and how we really need to take over some of the duties of our parish priest and help them out. I did enjoy all the classes I took, and am considering taking another class this fall."

"The Greek philosopher, Theophratus said, ‘Time is the most valuable thing one can spend.’ My completion of the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program has certainly proven that. What knowledge I acquired has enabled me to participate in life with more confidence and groundedness in witnessing my faith to others. My enlarged understanding of the history of the Catholic Church encourages me to live in the present and face the future in hopeful enthusiasm. It’s exciting to call oneself a biblical pilgrim faith believer. Adult Faith Formation paves the way towards the grace of experiencing attitude transformation in living out the mission of Jesus Christ."

"By being more aware of all the aspects of the faith — the spirituality, history — it just makes the faith more alive, and you are more in tune to the things that are going on around you in your daily life. It has helped me, being a pastoral assistant, in fulfilling some of those duties and obligations we have in serving the needs of the parish. It brings everything to more of a spiritual perspective."

"The Pastoral Ministry Formation Program helps me to stay focused on Jesus Christ and his life. By taking the PMFP classes, I am able to learn the Catholic faith. It’s a good program. It teaches you the faith, and there’s so much to learn. It has enriched my life not only by the education, but by the spiritual part of that education, and it helps me to further my conversion toward that life-style. It’s enriched my life through that knowledge and training and understanding. They have excellent teachers who have a way of getting across that Catholic training."

"The Pastoral Ministry classes have helped me to think outside the box regarding my Catholic faith. I realize we need to be concerned for all people of all nations not just our own individual families. Many of us have been blessed with God’s gifts that we need to share with others."

"It’s my responsibility to know my Catholic religion. These classes provide an excellent opportunity to become better educated about scripture theology and our Church. I think people should take advantage."