Conference participants urged to develop

a thirst for justice, a passion for giving

By Tim Wenzl

Southwest Kansas Register

Editor’s note: Following is a synopsis of several of the workshops held at the Stewardship, Justice and Respect Life Conference, Aug. 25 at the cathedral in Dodge City.

Kansas Benefit Bank

Pattie McGurk, a social worker with Catholic Social Service, spoke about poverty in America and access to government social programs through the Benefit Bank. The Kansas Benefit Bank is a computer software program developed to assist low-wage working families. The computer program provides assistance in applying for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, the State Children’s Health Insurance program, medical benefits, child care subsidies, low income energy assistance, tax credits, including child and dependent care credit, child tax credit and others. Catholic Social Service is looking to establish Benefit Bank sites around the diocese. Parishes interested in being a site and people who are interested in being volunteer counselors can contact McGurk at (620) 792-1393.

JustFaith

Ellen Peters, a parishioner from St. Joseph, Greensburg, facilitated the JustFaith session. JustFaith is a program that promotes the Church’s teaching on social justice. The 30-week curriculum includes a syllabus of readings, videos, discussion topics, prayer and hands-on experience in ministry. The program promotes change. JustFaith strives to provide faith formation processes and resources that emphasize the Gospel message of peace and justice, Catholic social teaching and the intersection of spirituality and action. The aim of JustFaith is to enable people of faith to develop a passion for justice and to express this passion in concrete acts of social ministry. Parishes interested in starting classes can learn more at www.justfaith.org.

End of Life Issues

In her presentation titled “End of Life Issues,” Julie Pinkerton, executive director of Hospice of the Prairie in Dodge City, spoke about how individuals can assist those who face life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses. She provided examples how people can be present and support both patients and families of patients by offering time for the simplest tasks. “Provide support in a way that is comfortable for you,” said Pinkerton. “When thinking about ways you can help, assess your own strengths and abilities and then offer to do something specific.” Pinkerton encouraged the participants at the session to be stewards to the sick in their parishes. “We all have places we can share our gifts,” she stated.

New Beginnings

Dr. Beverly Glass and Doris Meng of St. Dominic Parish in Garden City presented “New Beginnings: the Good, the Bad and the Blessed,” a step-by-step guide to creating a parish with an attitude of gratitude. Glass spoke about how New Beginnings was introduced at St. Dominic earlier this year as a three-week Lenten journey. The sessions, held over three consecutive Sundays, addressed: My Parish, My Spirituality and My Ministry. “There are multiple benefits of this program,” stated Glass. “It lays the foundation for taking a good parish to a great and inviting one; it helps real people assess understanding their natural abilities, talents and spiritual gifts; it provides a common sense approach to understanding one’s desires, capacities, and interests; and its helps identify real ministries for real people within the parish and community. New Beginnings can move people from membership to discipleship.” For more information about how to initiate New Beginnings in your parish, contact Doris Meng at (620) 275-6337, or Dr. Glass at (620) 276-0891.