The Kansas Knights of Columbus officers and district deputies met in Hutchinson Dec. 6-7 for their mid-fraternal year conference. This two-day meeting included several topics of importance.

High on the list was membership. The status of recruitment and retention were reviewed, with new ideas and goals for the next six months. Along with membership, the formation of new councils and helping existing councils with needs were discussed.

Following the membership all the areas of programing were presented and reviewed. Each chairman presented new ideas and followed up on the goals developed at the beginning of the fraternal year.

The conference concluded with a banquet hosted by Council 612 at which awards were presented and drawings for the religious education funds were held.

Catholic Social Services would appreciate any donations to provide.

Two young adults in foster care who will be graduating from high school in May of 2004. This in itself is something to celebrate. These two young people have the same desires as any graduating senior … a yearbook, a letter jacket, graduation announcements, senior pictures, etc. Donations are being accepted for this cause.

Make check payable to: Catholic Social Services, and mail to: Catholic Social Services, Attn: Debbie Snapp, P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801.

The RCIA retreat, "A Creative Walk With Christ," is for all parishes and individuals engaged in the RCIA program -- including catechumens, candidates, sponsors, and teams. This retreat is a time of reflection and prayer in preparation for and the enrichment of The Lenten Scrutinies. Presenters include Lorena Bolte OP & Jolene Geier OP (English); Matilde Monterrose MCMI & Maria Elena Martinez MCMI (Spanish). The retreat will take place at the Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend Saturday, Feb. 7 from, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 3231 N 14th, Dodge City on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in English and Spanish. Rates are $50 per parish plus $15 per person or $30 per individual (lunch included) Register for either day by Feb. 1 at Heartland Center for Spirituality by calling (620) 792-1232 or emailing brenda@heartlandspirituality.org

To register for any of the following classes, contact Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend; (620) 792-1232; or email: office@heartlandspirituality.org.

Jan. 24 (session repeated April 24) Saturday 9:30 – 11:30a.m.

Instructor: Paula Schwartzkopf

Cost is $10.

This session will provide deeper insight on the value of yoga and also give participants the experience of very simple yoga stretches.

Paula Schwartzkopf is an experienced yoga instructor who practices in Lakin. Since 1992, she has participated in the Institute of Interdisciplinary Yoga Studies in Wichita.

Jan. 31, Saturday 9a.m. – noon

Instructors: Andy Hefner ND and Anita Schugart OP

Cost is $30.

Homeopathy is a healing process in which medicines stimulate and encourage the body’s natural healing forces. This class will offer lessons about this natural system of medicine and the specific homeopathic remedies that are most commonly used.

Dr. Andy Hefner of Hefner Health Center in Great Bend, graduated from both the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland and the Hahnemann Memorial Institute of Homeopathic Medicine in Bradenton Fla. He studied cardiology at the University of Vienna, Austria.

Sister Anita Schugart is the Director of Heartland Center for Wholistic Health in Great Bend. In 1986 she attended Dr. Jay Scherer’s Academy of Natural Healing in Santa Fe where she studied basic homeopathic theory and other related healing modalities.