Spring Enrichment enriches faith and prayer

What began more than 20 years ago as a few workshops in a parish hall has grown into a yearly event held at Albany's College of Saint Rose that consists of 113 workshops and is expected to attract 1,000-plus people, said Christopher Weber, associate director for catechist formation for the ORE.

"Spring Enrichment is first and foremost an opportunity for catechist and youth minister formation," Mr. Weber said. "It's now grown to include a wider audience. Others come because of a topic that interests them."

'Faith festival'

Participants report being recharged and feeling linked to catechists throughout the Diocese. "You're not in it alone," he said of those who work in religious education. It can sometimes get lonely for the thousands of volunteer religious educators in the Diocese. As the 5,600 catechists work each week with children, they might not realize how many other people are involved in religious education.

"Maybe they don't think about that," Mr. Weber speculated. "Every parish is charged with this mission. That's a lot of people."

Eucharist in focus

Mr. Weber predicts that the keynote will serve as a highlight for this year's event, which takes its theme from the slogan of the diocesan Sesquicentennial celebration -- "Honoring Tradition Discovering Tomorrow."

In keeping with that theme, workshop sessions will focus on both the past and future. According to Mr. Weber, the riches of the past can lead to discovery in the future.

Workshop diversity

"We want to help people connect with home and family," Mr. Weber explained. "We're really putting our money where our mouth is; parents are the primary educators of children. We need to help parents and families, guide them in faith. The sacred is not just about how many rosaries you pray. It's the cry of a sick child in the middle of the night; it's the daily grind."

Another highlight will be the prayer experiences. Besides an opening prayer service, there will be four other prayer services. After each, participants will have the opportunity to join in a workshop with the prayer leaders.

"This is different," Mr. Weber said. "This year, we invited people doing the prayer workshops to do the prayer services. Participants can then stay in the space for the workshop so it become hands-on keying into prayer and spirituality."

Highlights

* A leadership track designed for catechetical leaders, Catholic school principals and other pastoral leaders. These workshops will focus on lectionary catechesis, rituals, traditions and devotions; catechesis for the third millennium; partnerships with public schools; and recruiting and keeping volunteers.

* Four local authors and a musician will present workshops. Rev. Dennis Tamburello, OFM, author of "Ordinary Mysticism," published by Paulist Press; Jeanne Heiberg, author of "Arts and Crafts for Lent," also by Paulist Press; Joyce Solimini, author of "Sacraments: A Way of Life," published by Ave Marie Press; and Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, author of "Polish Your Soul and Spruce Up Your Heart," available through Canticle Press, will present workshops related to their recently published works. Kris Kearns, music minister at St. Mary's Church in Oneonta, who has recorded three albums of her songs, psalms and meditations, will also present a workshop.

* Exhibits by major religious education publishers, area book stores, church goods and diocesan offices can be viewed throughout the event.

(Spring Enrichment will be held May 19-22 at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Both day and evening sessions are offered. There is a $5 fee for each course and registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the ORE at 453-6630.)

(05-08-97)

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