"I want a laity...."

“I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men [and women] who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it. I want an intelligent, well-instructed laity – I wish [them] to enlarge [their] knowledge, to cultivate [their] reason, to get an insight into the relation of truth to truth, to learn to view things as they are, to understand how faith and reason stand to each other, what are the bases and principles of Catholicism.’ (Sermon 9, Duties of Catholics towards the Protestant View, 1851)

--John Henry Cardinal Newman (future saint! to be beatified Sept 19, 2010)


To that end--
Remember the inaugural Vineyard Colloquium, 7pm Sunday in the President's Room. See you there!

The Inaugural Vineyard Colloquium: this Sunday evening!

History in the making, everyone. The inaugural speaker of the Vineyard Colloquia presents this Sunday!

Majors (and faculty) should have received an invitation to dinner with Sr. Kate before the lecture. Please RSVP to Dr. Beal by Wednesday (Sept 15).

And everyone come to the lecture/discussion...you can go to the late Mass afterward....

"Opportunities and Challenges in Lay Ministry"
September 19, 2010, 7pm
The President's Room, Toner Center
Sr. Kate Dooley, O.P.

Sister Kate Dooley, O.P. is a Sinsinawa (WI) Dominican Sister who teaches at Dominican University in River Forest, Il. For the past twenty five years she taught in The School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. She holds an M.A. from the Catholic University of America, a M.Th. from Harvard Divinity School, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Dr. Dooley has published widely in catechetical and liturgical journals, and written a number of texts and resource materials for religious education. She is one of the General Editors for the Benziger series, Christ Jesus the Way. Other publications are To Listen and Tell: Commentary on the Introduction to the Lectionary for Masses with Children (Washington, D.C.: Pastoral Press, 1993); co-edited The Echo Within: Emerging Issues in Religious Education (Allen, Texas: Thomas More, 1997); and is currently working on Be What You Celebrate on liturgical catechesis. She has received numerous national awards, including the National Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Liturgical Life of the American Church (Georgetown Center for Liturgy, 2005) and the Emmaus Award for Excellence in Catechesis (National Catholic Education Association/National Association of Parish Catechetical Leaders, 2005).

On pizza, mind maps, and spiritual formation

The meeting! Finally! Thanks to everyone who came (should have gotten a big group shot, I know, I know)....

Conclusion #1: Goodness, we eat a lot of pizza.

Look at us using computers. How on earth did Thomas Aquinas write his Summa without them....









Concept mapping broke out all over the place.

If you weren't there, we explained this program (on this page) AND showed people how to use the "mind map" (or concept map if you prefer). This is like a digital version of Co-Workers in the Vineyard, a tool to self-assess your formation as a Catholic Christian, and help determine next steps in discerning and growing in your vocation and ministry. More to come....

Have you RSVPed?

Have you RSVP-ed to the big whopping Theology majors orientation to all things SFTV and Mindmap? You know, the one on Thursday Sept 9th from 6-8pm?

(...and if you don't know what I am taking about and want to attend, or at least know what's up...email Professor Laurie Ziliak! Do it now!)

Fun Friday: Youth Ministry

Happy Mass of the Holy Spirit today! And...

Mass of the Holy Spirit: Today, 12:10pm at St. Thomas More Chapel!
Bishop Quinn presiding....

It's also a significant Lasallian day: lightly adapted from Br. Larry Humphries' (our VP for Mission) email:

September 2 is the feast day in the Lasallian world of our Brother martyrs of the French Revolution. These include Blessed Brother Solomon, who was killed on September 2, 1792. On this day we also honor our Brothers (Blessed Brother Roger, Blessed Brother Uldaric, Blessed Brother Léon) who died as prisoners in the "hulk" ships two or three years later.

As the Winona campus celebrates College Convocation Day with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and the SGPP prepares for the beginning of the fall semester next week, I invite you to also remember with prayerful gratitude the ultimate sacrifice of these Christian Brother martyrs.

"You have to teach the truths of faith to your students . . . To this work you should devote yourself wholeheartedly, and even sacrifice your life if necessary in order to accomplish it properly." (St. John Baptist de La Salle, Meditation 135.2)

Blessed Brothers Solomon, Roger, Uldaric, and Léon ~ Pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts ~ Forever!
~Brother Larry

p.s. Sept 9th--6-8pm--save the date! More soon!

What are the "small groups" about?

Another element of the Spirituality for the Vineyard program is the one year participation in a small group devoted to discerning who you are and what God may have in store for you. This is just a pilot this year, and just for majors/minors interested in lay ecclesial ministry.

We asked Laurie Watson, the convener, to introduce herself:

Hello to those considering a small group experience this year as part of the Vineyard Experience! My name is Laurie Watson, and I am anticipating all of us growing in insights and blessings as I facilitate one of the groups this year. Here’s a little information about me ….

I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology and social work at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 1976. I obtained my youth ministry certificate from the Center of Ministry Development in 2000. In 2003 I completed a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in New Orleans. The following year I completed a spiritual direction internship.

My work experiences include being a social worker on the “front lines” for several years, followed by many years of work with adults with developmental disabilities. I especially enjoyed working with folks with autism. Most recently I served as pastoral associate for the Cathedral here in Winona from 2006-2010. This summer I became a full time live-in volunteer at the Winona Catholic Worker.

I am mother of two and grandma to four beautiful grandchildren.

My expectations for the small group experience … first and foremost, a genuine desire to explore one’s unique calling in life … an openness to deep and honest sharing…a commitment to intentional prayer and reflection outside monthly meeting times…possibly some minimal journaling. We’ll gather informally each month around a meal or coffee. The group participants will determine to a large extent the direction the group will take this year. Expect to leave each month with points to ponder as you discern the next step in your vocational journey.

Come learn more about this option at the September 9th gathering!