Diocesan Ministry Day draws over 700

Over 700 people gathered at St. John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville Sept. 30 for Diocesan Ministry Day. The event began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Donald Kettler and 26 concelebrating priests from around the diocese. A keynote address by Laura Kelly Fanucci was followed by workshops and lunchtime conversations.

“In addition to growing our relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, work and sacrifice, we need to take advantage of educational opportunities such as today’s Diocesan Ministry Day to enable us to better reach today’s church and [address] world challenges,” Bishop Kettler said in his homily.
Nikki Silbernick prays during the Mass.
Twenty-six priests from around the diocese concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Kettler.
Crosier Father Kermit Holl, prior of the Crosier community in Onamia, gives communion to a participant.
During her keynote address, Laura Kelly Fanucci said, “We are called by our baptism to go out to our nieghbors, to strangers, even to our enemies. We are called by the grace of our baptism to love and serve and lead and speak to a broken, sinful world.”
Father Tom Knoblach talks about dealing with change and seeking balance in his workshop, “Love Means Nothing to a Tennis Player: Reading the Signs of the Times.”
Bishop Donald Kettler takes a break for lunch with Father Alan Wielinski.
Tim Welch and Jenny Adams lead a lively discussion about using technology in parish communications during their afternoon workshop, “Technology and Parish Life: Communicating the stories of Jesus Christ and His Church.”
Jane Marrin takes a break after shuttling many participants from parking lots to the Abbey Church.
Fathers Mitch Bechtold and Matthew Kuhn snack on licorice, a give-away at the communications table.