‘Living faith fully, sharing faith freely’
The Office for Catechesis will present the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference Nov. 4-5 at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel in Decatur, 4191 US 36 West (Wycles Road).
The biennial event is open to all adults interested in deepening their appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, said Jonathan Sullivan, director of Catechetical Services in the Springfield diocese. The conference is sponsored in part by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.
The theme for this year's DAEC is "Living Faith Fully, Sharing Faith Freely." In Porta Fidei (no. 15), Pope Benedict XVI said, "Intent on gathering the signs of the times in the present of history, faith commits every one of us to become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lord in the world. What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end."
The DAEC has traditionally been a two-day event held on a Sunday and a Monday every other autumn. This year, however, the Office for Catechesis will also be offering two pre-conference sessions on Saturday, Nov. 3. Two tracks will be offered, said Sullivan: Theology of the Body for Teens training for educators, catechists and youth ministers; and training for Catholic sports coaches.
This year's keynote speaker is Father Robert Barron, who is known as America's first podcasting priest and an international innovative teacher of Catholicism. His global non-profit media ministry is called Word on Fire (www.WordOnFire.org) which reaches millions of people. He is also the creator and host of Catholicism, a groundbreaking, 10-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith.
"Father Barron is a big draw," said Chris Malmevik, associate director of Catechesis and chairperson for DAEC. "He is very popular and people are interested in hearing and seeing him." On Sunday, Father Barron will speak on "Proclaiming Christ to a Secular Culture" and on Monday he will speak on "Declaring the Lordship of Jesus."
Malmevik said that this year's musical program will be special as well. "On Sunday night our musical celebration will be led by John Burland. This year he has invited the Catholic elementary school choirs from Decatur to sing with him, which is something new," she said. Burland, who is from Sydney, Australia and is sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor, will also lead several educational sessions.
Other break-out speakers will include musician John Angotti of World Library Publications; Joe Paprocki, national consultant for Faith Formation, Loyola Press; Sue Grenough, sponsored by Pflaum Publishing Co.; Richard Drabik, sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, University of Dayton; Jared Dees, sponsored by Ave Maria Press; Mike Carotta, sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor; Rick Barnhart, sponsored by RCL Benziger; and Jim Schellman, from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, as well as many others from the Springfield diocese and beyond.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will give Monday's closing address and will explore the tools offered by the church to overcome obstacles to living as a disciple of Christ, said Sullivan.
Fees for DAEC are $50 for both days or $40 for one day, until Oct. 18. After Oct. 18 and at the door the fees are $45 for one day and $55 for both days. Parishes and schools have already received registration packets, said Malmevik. Online registration via e-check or credit card is available at www.dio.org/catechesis/daec — or interested individuals can call Chris Malmevik at (217) 698-8500, ext 178 or email .