Adult formation via Interactive Television (ITV)

‘Connecting, equipping, sending’

Editor’s note: The following article was provided by Coleen Stein, Director of the Diocesan Interactive Television Office. An article on an upcoming Catechist Formation class is at bottom.

Interactive Television continues to be a blessing to our diocese: one instructor, one presentation, lots of Catholic adults learning more about their faith. We can see each other, we can hear each other, and we can speak to each other while we are each located at eight different cities in the diocese. Every adult in the diocese has an opportunity for adult formation without traveling very far. ITV is essentially in everyone’s backyard.

Interactive Television recently underwent a face-lift. Each site has been upgraded to Internet Protocol. This form of transmission enables the system to broadcast at a faster speed resulting in a clearer picture. The Diocese of Dodge City is also able to move the ITV sites around more freely. Thus, we have just moved the Marienthal site, where a site was located for eight years, to Scott City — one of nine different sites in the diocese.

Pastoral Ministry Formation Program

The Pastoral Ministry Formation Program has been using the ITV mode of broadcast since 1998. The PMF program provides solid grounding in theology to empower the laity to become increasingly responsible for the life and ministry of the Church.

Adults involved in the program may take the classes via ITV for college credit through Newman University or for personal enrichment. Three classes are being offered this fall: "Theology and Methods of Ministry," taught by Father Robert Schremmer, "Judas! Another Gospel?", taught by Msgr. Brian Moore, and "Environment for the Liturgy," taught by Father Frank Coady.

Seasons of Faith

Seasons of Faith is a new program that is offered twice each season on a topic that is pertinent to adult faith life. Topics presented this year over the ITV system include: "The Death Penalty," "Evolution," "The Theology of the Body," and "Stem Cell Research."

Catechist Formation

Catechist Formation provides diocesan certification and continuing formation of catechists twice a year in the months of September and January, via the ITV system. Topics covered this year include: "It’s Personal, But Not Really, Living Your Baptismal Call" and "Reaching our True Happiness Through Being Called and Gifted."

For more information about the ITV programs -- Pastoral Ministry Formation, Seasons of Faith, and Catechist Formation -- visit the diocesan website www.dcdiocese.org or email Coleen Stein at cstein@dcdiocese.org.

‘Living Your Baptismal Call’

Editor’s note: The following was provided by Coleen Stein, Coordinator, Catechist Formation.

We are all catechists! Catechists are both men and women. Catechists are priests, parents, teachers, and individuals who are committed to sharing their faith.

Over the past three years, many people throughout the diocese have thought that Catechist Formation was limited only to those who taught in formalized settings such as PSR programs or Sacramental Preparation programs. While it is true that Catechist Formation is for those teaching in the parish, it is also for those who want to continue learning and growing in their faith. Anytime one shares their faith with another, they are doing catechesis.

"It’s Personal, But Not Really/Living Your Baptismal Call" is the title of the next session of Catechist Formation. The session is offered twice: Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 6-9:30 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m.-Noon. Bishop Ronald Gilmore, Becky Hessman, Father Ted Stoecklein and Sister Virginia Pearl will speak on personal vocation. This same topic will be offered at the Catechist Formation Sessions in Spanish on Sunday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 1, from 3-6 p.m.