Al and Mary Herrman to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary July 29

Al and Mary Herrman, Great Bend, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2-4 p.m. on July 29 at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Broadway and McKinley.

Mary Brungardt and Al Herrman were married in 1956, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.

Al and Mary are semi-retired barbers, working three days a week at their profession. Al is a Korean War Veteran; both have their own hobbies, Mary doing quilting, and Al his wood working.

Hosts for the celebration will be the couple’s six children: Zelma (Herrman) Michels, and Scot, Overland Park; Vickie (Herrman) Schaffer, Boynton Beach, Florida; Tim Herrman and wife Rita, Houston, Texas; Denise (Herrman) Dohrman and Jeff, Bushton, Ks.; Michelle (Herrman) Behr and Mike, Groton, Conn.; Sandra (Herrman) Vogt and Gary, Cenntenial, Co. The couple has 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The couple requests no gifts, but congratulatory cards may be sent to, 2527 Zarah Dr., Great Bend, Ks. 67530.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreat, Aug. 4-6 in Hays

Rachel’s Vineyard Ministry announces its next retreat to take place Aug. 4-6. This weekend retreat is designed for anyone affected by abortion.

"Once a woman has an abortion, she pushes it to the back of her mind," said Donetta Robben, retreat director. "But the pain remains, and women must pretend everything is okay when they are really falling apart inside.

"Rachel’s Vineyard provides a nurturing environment where anyone affected by abortion can safely grieve their loss while dealing with the anger, guilt and shame that accompanies this decision."

The retreat is not only for women who have had abortions, but for men, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, married couples, people who have worked in the abortion industry —- anyone affected by the loss of abortion.

For more information, call 1-877-I-GRIEVE or by email: rachelsvineyard@salinadiocese.org. Registration deadline is July 28.

Marymount hosting all-school reunion

‘Keeping your kids Catholic’

Jim Burnham will talk about keeping your kids Catholic when he visits the Midwest Catholic Family Conference Aug. 4-6 at Century II in Wichita. Burnham, who has coauthored the popular Beginning Apologetics books, will discuss two points that will help keep children in the church: the Eucharist and apologetics.

Other speakers include apologists Tim Staples and Steve Ray; EWTN personalities Bob and Penny Lord; internationally-recognized speaker on the Church’s teaching about sexuality, Janet Smith, and many others including The Donut Man and Father Anthoine Thomas for youth.

To register for the conference call (316) 618-9787, email midwconf@cox.net, or go to catholicfamily conference.org.

"The hunger and thirst of people for a closer relationship with God has been heard by the staff at Heartland Center for Spirituality. In the past few years the Diocese of Dodge City has responded to the spiritual need by promoting the Called and Gifted workshops and the Pastoral Religious Formation classes. Beginning this fall Heartland Center for Spirituality will offer a two-year process for adult spiritual formation."

Course descriptions include:

Introduction to Christian Spirituality, Contemporary Issues, Spiritual Formation Group, Tools for Inner Exploration, History of Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Development, Discernment and Lifestyle.

The Saturday Classes (Semester I: Sept. 9, 30; Oct 21; Nov. 18; Dec. 9; Semester II: (2007 -- Jan. 13; Feb. 3, 24; Mar. 17; Apr. 28) are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530; phone: 620.792.1232.

There is a three-year special track for Spiritual Director Formation which includes the two year SpiritLife core curriculum with additional classes from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and supervision/peer group for the third year.

Upcoming dates for Engaged Encounter at the Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend are Sept. 15-17. For more information, call (620) 564-3095, or go to www.dcdiocese.org, and click on the Engaged Encounter listing at left.