(Kenny Rogers, The Gambler, Dreamcatcher Records,
1978.)
As I complete seven years as Director of the Center,
I pause for evaluation, and invite you to do the same. Hum the above
tune to yourself as you consider these two questions:
1. How has the Catholic Education Ministries Center
fulfilled its
mission over the years?
2. Where do we want the Center to go in the years to come?
This month I offer my personal assessment of the first
question. As we consider how the Center has changed over the years, I will
zero in on my tenure as director, and consider how I have "played the
hand."
The Hand we were dealt
When I began this position in July of 1998, Dr. Ron Valenti
handed me the Charter at right. This statement marked at least the
second revision of the Charter since the Center's founding in 1978. The phrases in bold face framed my tasks;
this "hand" set the course for years to follow.
Notice that the Charter Statement doesn't contain an
explicit reference or definition of regional ministry. I
began this work with a somewhat naive notion: I would develop regional
programs, and people from the area would attend them. In listening to
people from the area, I quickly discovered that the "if-you-build-it-they-will-come" strategy is greatly oversimplified. The workable strategy looks
more like:
"If-you-build-it-they-will-come...
if they need it - and
KNOW that they need it!"
To stay in the game of
regional ministry, I have learned that you need to make sure that you have a
"good hand". My hand is "good" when a program or project is
more of a help than a burden. When I start a program or
initiative I ask myself:
After seven years, here
is my pick of five 'cards' that make up the Catholic Education
Ministries Center's strongest "hand":
Central
Maryland Catholic -
http://centralmdcatholic.org :
This month our website is six years old. What began as a simple events
calendar has become a multi-faceted portal to Catholic life in Central
Maryland. The site is an electronic hub for all of the Center's activity,
and it has changed the way that we do ministry.
Where the site was
originally designed as a tool for leaders, we now reach out directly to
volunteers as well. Nearly 600 people receive the Center's monthly events
calendar, and the number is growing. Anyone with an email address can
receive monthly e-news or weekly bulletins. Our broadcast email lists enable
area leaders to communicate instantly with peers in Central Maryland. An
archive of minutes from meetings keeps everyone on the loop. Original
articles, and links to other great Catholic sites keep everyone in the know.
There is virtually no
limit to how we might utilize this tool. With the help of people in the
field, I would love to expand the site to include more resources and
articles for all parishioners, of all ages.
Training:
The
first presentation that I offered in Central Maryland was an update on the
General Directory for Catechesis to catechetical leaders in September
of 1998. I offered a two hour workshop for volunteers on Creative Discipline
at St. John's in Frederick in November. Since then, regional workshops have
been a primary focus of the Center. The centerpiece of this work is the Annual
Formation Day, which draws 250-300
participants from our area and beyond.
I am
eager to bring workshops to any parish or school, as long as you can
assemble a workable group. Where possible, these sessions double as terrific
adult enrichment events. Mark your calendar now for the 8th Annual
Formation Day, slated for March 11, 2006.
Communications/Public
Relations:
In the past three years, the Center has spent more
and more time on communications and PR. Many facilities request our help in
getting the word out for their events. Through press releases and articles,
we have bolstered the Catholic presence in the local media. Have you
noticed the photos and bios of area leaders in your local paper? That is the
work of Judy Williams, Center secretary. We can also design flyers and
brochures to help you publicize your events, even if we are not
co-sponsoring them.
Networking:
One
of the most exciting fruits of regional ministry is bringing people with
complementary gifts together. I regularly convene area ministers of adult
formation and youth ministers, and meet with DREs and principals. These
groups strategize together, and swap ideas for effective ministry. From
these gatherings, parishes often collaborate to offer retreats,
workshops, and other great projects, like the youth ministers' annual
True Love Waits rally. Feedback from these gatherings and conference
calls sets the agenda for future Center projects.
The
Mount Connection:
We have developed outstanding rapport with our
hosts here at Mount Saint Mary's. Mount faculty have been a mainstay of our
training events. We make ample use of the facilities here, including
meeting space and great pricing for events. With the undergraduate theology
faculty we have updated the Mount's Professional Catechist and Youth
Ministry Certificates to match Archdiocesan standards. I am in conversation
now with the Callings initiative, to pursue avenues for lay ministry
formation and increased interaction between the Mount and the local Catholic
community.
....Know When to
Fold 'Em?
While I am very happy with the way that regional ministry
has grown in Central Maryland, I know we could do much more, and that there
are gaps. Next month, I will consider some of the challenges that we have
faced, and questions that I have about the future of this ministry.
I would love to hear
from you! What have been the low points, and the high points of
regional ministry? How can the Center serve you better? Where do you want to
go from here? Let's talk!
Chris Weber
Director,
Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland
301-447-3707
Next Month: Part 2: Know when to fold 'em?
Copyright © 2005 by the Catholic Education
Ministries Center of Central Maryland, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. All rights reserved.
May
2005