The program, which is open to any adult with a yen to learn more about their faith, includes classes taught by local priests such as Fathers Robert Schremmer, John Fahey Guerra, C.Ss.R., John Strasser, and Henry Hildebrandt, as well as Debbie Snapp, program director for Catholic Social Service, and Sisters Renee Dreiling and Lorena Bolte.

The goal of the accredited program is simple: to help people become stronger witnesses — and, if they choose, pastoral ministers — for the Diocese of Dodge City.

Classes are taught simultaneously at sites throughout the diocese via the interactive television (ITV) system. Instructors teach from one site where they can listen and respond to students’ questions from other sites. Classes can be taken for personal enrichment or for college credit.

Following is a description of the classes being taught through the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program, the instructors, and class times. At bottom is a registration form.

For more information about PMFP or the classes listed below, contact Coleen Stein at (620) 227-1538 or ask your pastor for a Pastoral Ministry brochure.

A study of the nature of the Church as it has been understood through the centuries. The course begins with the New Testament, progresses through the Fathers of the Church, examines the ecclesiology of Vatican II and concludes with a study of post-Vatican II theologies of the Church.

The class will be taught Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 18, 25, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 22, and Saturday mornings - 8:30 a.m. to Noon.

Instructor Sister Lorena Bolte is currently the assistant prioress of the Great Bend Dominican Sisters.

Each evening of this four evening class -- presented Jan. 24, 31 and Feb. 7, 21 -- will include one feature woven into the fabric of the gospel story.

Sister Renee Dreiling, spiritual director at the Heartland Center for Spirituality, will introduce women of Luke’s gospel and help students appreciate their inner resources and ability to center themselves to receive and act upon the word of God in truth.

Father John Strasser, Vicar Forane of the Great Bend Deanery and pastor of three Barber County parishes, will focus on the parables. "Everybody loves a good story. Jesus told many great stories, most of which are parables. The parables are about God and his kingdom. To paraphrase St. Jerome, ‘To better understand the parables is to better understand God and his kingdom.’"

Father Robert Schremmer, Vicar General of the Diocese of Dodge City, will focus on the passion of Jesus. "Jesus death is a source of grace not because the Father is ‘avenged’ by it, but because Jesus lived and died in the manner that, if adopted by all, would do away with victimization." Father Schremmer will explore what is so passionate in the Passion of Jesus.

Father Henry Hildebrandt, pastor of Sacred Heart, Ness City and St. Aloysius, Ransom, will discuss how the resurrection empowered Christ’s followers to become the fearless apostles and missionaries of the early Church.

Students will examine the immigrant reality in the Americas. They will relate this reality to Catholic Social Teaching on migration. They will move toward solidarity with immigrants by studying the principles and goals of the Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign. Finally, they will explore approaches to sharing and implementing the Justice for Immigrants Campaign in parishes.

Instructors include Father John Fahey-Guerra, C.Ss.R., director of Hispanic Ministry, and Debbie Snapp, program director for Catholic Social Service.

This class will be taught Feb. 28, March 7, 28, and April 4.