Turkey Dinner, Country Store and Raffle, Nov. 13

PRATT — The Women of Sacred Heart will present a turkey dinner, country store and raffle, from noon-2 p.m., Sunday Nov. 13, at Sacred Heart School in Pratt.

The event will include the raffling off of an antique quilt, meat bundles, two Afghans, theater tickets, chamber gift certificates, bicycles, and other items.

The Country Store will include handmade craft items and baked goods for sale.

Gift baskets designed with specific themes in mind will be available through a silent auction.

And of course, the afternoon will include a full turkey dinner with all the fixings.

Cost for the event is adults, $6; children ages 6-9, $3; children ages 5 and younger, free. Carry-out meals are available; call ahead: (620) 672-3687.

Sacred Heart School is located at 330 N. Oak in Pratt.

Called & Gifted Workshop for Young Adults, Feb. 11-12

Young people ages 20-39 are invited to discover, discern, and learn to develop their gifts through the Called & Gifted Workshop for young adults, Feb. 11-12 at the Santa Fe Depot in Dodge City.

The weekend event begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and concludes with a 4 p.m. Sunday liturgy. The $20 cost includes all meals, as well as a special showing of "Flaming Idiots," at the Depot Dinner Theater, Saturday night from 6:30-10 p.m.

This workshop is especially beneficial for:

• Young adults discerning career/vocational direction

• Parents who want to help their children live their faith and recognize their gifts

• Cradle Catholics and active parishioners

• New or returning Catholics who want to explore what it means to live their faith as an adult

In the workshop participants will learn:

• How discerning your call and your vocation...

...can change your own life

...can change the world and help spread the Gospel

...can help transform and renew our parishes

• The signs and characteristics of 24 of the most common spiritual gifts

• Five steps of discerning the gifts God has given you for your work in the world

Bishop Ronald Gilmore has offered the following invitation to the diocese’s young adults:

"The Church, our diocese, and I want young adults to share their ideas, dreams, aspirations, their gifts. We want you involved in the life of the church so that our church may touch our world with the youthful zeal of Christ himself who lived his life of ministry as a young adult. Please join me at the depot for a weekend to discover your gifts for which our church and, even more, our world has been waiting."

The workshop is expected to fill up fast. For registration information, call Sister Janice Grochowsky, (620) 227-1527.

RCIA retreats, Feb. 18, 25 in Great Bend, Dodge City

When: 9:30 a.m. -3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18 and 25

Where: Feb. 18 Heartland Center in Great Bend

Feb. 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral in Dodge City

Instructors: Renee Dreiling and Jolene Geier, OP; Matilda Monterrose, Maria Elena Martinez-Sifuentes MCMI (Spanish) and Sister Rosa Emma Don Martinez.

Cost: $50 per parish and $15 per person or $30 per person (Lunch charge is included and family fees negotiable)

"This retreat is a time of reflection and prayer with others who are also engaged in the RCIA program. It is designed as a preparation for the Lenten scrutinies but not intended to replace the scrutiny process in the parish. This RCIA retreat is for catechumens, candidates, sponsors and teams as part of the recommended RCIA formation process for the diocese. Both retreats will be divided into English and Spanish groups. Please register by Jan. 30, 2006."

To register for this event, contact Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, (620) 792-1232. Email: office@heartlandspirituality.org. If you would like to receive the free, monthly e-mail newsletter, go to http://heartlandspirituality.org and submit your e-mail address on the form provided.

Optimist Club essay contest

Optimist International and the Optimist Club of Dodge City are sponsoring an essay contest on the topic, "I’m Unique Because ...." The contest is open to area students who will be under age 19 on Dec. 31.

According to Jean Demuth, local contest director, the Dodge City Optimist Club will select a first, second and third place essay from among area entries. The first place winner will receive a $100 scholarship, and the winning essay will be entered into district competition where it will be judged against entries submitted by Optimist groups throughout the state. The district winner will receive a $650 scholarship and will be eligible to compete at the International level for scholarships totaling $10,000.

Information concerning contest rules and guidelines may be obtained at area high schools or by contacting Demuth at (620) 227-7448 in Dodge City. The deadline for submitting entries in the local contest is Dec. 21.