"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: Jan. 13; Feb. 3, 24; Mar. 17; Apr. 14) 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 5:00 p.m. and supervision/peer group for the third year.

For further information on fees and descriptors go to: http://heartlandspirituality.org/spiritlife

Holy Trinity Church in Timken will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday, June 11.

The event will include a Mass at 3 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore, and a social and dinner following in the church basement.

RSVP by June 1 to either Rosarie Jecha, (785) 355-2251, or Julie Wagner, (785) 372-4354.

The St. Mary of the Plains Alumni Reunion for former students, friends, faculty and staff of St. Mary of the Plains Academy, High School and College has been set for July 7-9 in Dodge City.

The reunion includes a golf tournament at Mariah Hills, a gathering for academy students at Manor of the Plains, lunch and meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall, cluster reunions, and a steak dinner, slide show, and dance Saturday evening at the Knights Hall. The weekend will conclude with the alumni attending the 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, followed by brunch at the Knights Hall.

Registration for adults (covers all meals) is $40 each; children 5-12, $15 each. For a complete reunion schedule, log on to www. smpdc.net.

Upcoming dates for Engaged Encounter at the Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend are June 30-July 2; and 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.