Spring Enrichment boosts Catholics

Pat and Jim DeLarm, parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church in Hague, came to this week's 24th annual Spring Enrichment conference looking for direction.

"We needed a spiritual boost, a lift, a sense of direction of where we're going next," said Mrs. DeLarm.

The couple, graduates of the Albany Diocese's Formation for Ministry Program who have played an active role in parish life, are searching for a new ministry. Until they find their new commitment, this retired couple continues to assist their parish by "doing what needs to be done," said Mr. DeLarm.

Impressed

"Father [Richard] Fragomeni is the best in the world," said Mrs. DeLarm of this year's keynote speaker. "We came to hang out with the best: Father Fragomeni, Bishop [Howard] Hubbard, John Dwyer [from St. Bernard's Institute] and everyone else."

"Everyone else" includes the nearly 1,000 people from around the Diocese who participated in the four-day event held at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, May 19-22.

Tradition

Among the many traditions of the Diocese, Bishop Hubbard described Spring Enrichment as one to be celebrated. "It has become part of our tradition," he said.

Why they come

This year, she had to adjust her schedule in order to attend. A child's medical procedure scheduled for the same day as the opening of the conference caused some problems, but, she said, "I had to let my husband take over."

It was worth it for Mrs. Eckert, who described Father Fragomeni's keynote as "overwhelming."

Keynote on faith

He explained that through the Eucharist, we are connected to both the past and the future. "Faith opens us to the possibilities of who we are yet to be," he said. "[Past and future] come to us each time we share the bread and wine. There is a future for us and in the eyes of faith we take it now."

The keynote address concluded with the prayer of blessing said in Hebrew, English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and American Sign Language.

Highlights

* The presentation of the Bishop Edwin B. Broderick Award to Sister Danielle Bonetti, CSJ. She was recognized for dedication to leadership and excellence in catechesis. She served as the director of the ORE from 1986-1993 and is currently pastoral associate at Corpus Christi parish in Ushers.

* Opportunities to meet with several authors, including Sister Eileen Lomasney, CSJ, author of the children's Sesquicentennial book, "How We Tell God's Story;" Rev. Dennis Tamburello, OFM, professor of religious studies at Siena College and author of "Ordinary Mysticism;" Joyce Solimini, associate director of the ORE and author of "Sacraments: A Way of Life;" Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, executive director of diocesan Counseling for the Laity and author of "Polish Your Soul and Spruce up Your Heart"; and Jeanne Heiberg, artist and author of "Arts and Crafts for Lent."

* Over 110 workshops covered a wide range of topics from evangelization to leadership.

Participants in the event said the conference served to renew them in their work as catechists and in their faith. For example, Mark Mattus, a parishioner from St. Clement's Church in Saratoga Springs, who graduated from college just before Spring Enrichment, said, "Days like this serve as building blocks to strengthen my faith."

(05-22-97)