A Conference on Missionary Discipleship
The Holy Spirit is moving in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Big things are coming and have already begun through the people in our parishes and communities. Now is the time to take action on the desires that have been stirring in your heart. This day-long conference is designed to help you make your God-given mission a lived reality.
Logistics
Schedule
8:00 Doors Open
9:00 Welcome
9:15 Bishop DeGrood
10:15 Men's & Women's Panels
11:15 Mass
12:00 Lunch & Vendors
1:30 Breakout Sessions
2:30 Breakout Sessions
3:30 Fr. Jeff Lorig
4:30 Dinner Break (on your own)
6:00 Doors Open
6:30 Adoration/Confession
Sioux FallsConvention Center
1201 Northwest Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Hotel Suggestions
Sheraton Sioux Falls
1211 Northwest Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Holiday Inn & Suites
2040 W Russell St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Tickets
$50 - Early Bird (ends 8/31)
$60 - General Admission
What is Bishop DeGrood's vision?
Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship Through God’s Love. Where did this vision come from and what does it mean for you? In the opening keynote, Bishop DeGrood will share the origins and development of the vision he received prayer, why it matters and what it means for you as you seek to respond to the Holy Spirit’s movement in our diocese.
What could that look like for you?
On a practical level, the implementation of the vision will look different for each of us, and you may be wondering, “What does that look like for me?” We gathered a group of people just like you who are already responding to Bishop’s vision to help inspire you with a few ideas.
Men's Panel
Men will hear from a group of young husbands and fathers who have intentionally grown closer to Jesus and are helping their wives and children grow in love for Jesus too.
Women's Panel
Women will hear from a group of ladies in varying stages with a range of passions who are bringing God’s love in unique ways to their families, parishes and communities.
How can we empower you?
Perhaps you know exactly how you want to respond to Bishop’s vision, but you aren’t quite sure how to make it happen. In the afternoon, you will be able to choose two of the following breakouts that address common areas in which you may desire to grow in order to fully live out your mission.
The Christian Leader
Father Jeff Lorig - Pastor, Diocese of Omaha
It is easy to become discouraged about the world today and even more tempting to be discouraged about your own effectiveness as Christ’s leaven in the world. In this breakout, Father Lorig will share what it looks like to be a Christian leader in today’s culture and how you can faithfully and effectively use your influence to lead others on mission.
Prayer as a Personal Response to God’s Presence
Father Scott Traynor - Vicar for Lay & Clergy Formation
God loves you and desires to lead you to a whole new lived experience of his presence, power and love in your daily life. In this breakout, Father Scott will offer practical tools for growing in your personal relationship with God through daily prayer. How can I come to know God more intimately and say a deeper “yes” to his grace and blessing in my daily life and relationships? Come and see!
Letting God Do the Heavy Lifting
Eric Gallagher - Director of Mission Engagement
Knowing how and when to share your faith can be a challenge, and having the responsibility of forming others can seem burdensome at times. But being a missionary disciple should be joyful and life-giving for both you and the person you are ministering to. In this breakout, Eric will share key principles he discovered through a deep desire for freedom and joy in ministry and an ongoing fascination in discovering how God works in individuals’ lives.
Love the Lord Your God with All Your Mind
Dr. Chris Burgwald - Director of Discipleship Formation
As the saying goes, “You can’t love what you don’t know.” That’s true about God and what he teaches. The more you know about God, the more you are able to know God in a personal way and in turn share him with others. In this breakout, Dr. Chris will lead a conversation about simple things you can do to grow in your knowledge of God so you can draw ever closer to him and help other people do the same.
What does this look like for your family, parish or community?
There is nothing more world-changing than a group of people, guided by the Spirit, who set out on mission together. It’s been said that the Church does not have a mission. Rather, the Church is a mission, a movement of God’s love, His mercy, and His truth that is lived out among the people of God.
Tell Jesus all about it.
Join us for an evening in the presence of the living God. This is your opportunity to tell Jesus about what has been stirring in your heart throughout the day and give him space to minister and speak to you. Priests will be available for confessions. Gifted local musicians will lead worship, and prayer teams will be available if you would like prayer.
Get to know the keynote speakers.
Bishop Donald DeGrood
Bishop Donald DeGrood was born in rural Minnesota and raised on the family farm. He attended the University of St. Thomas and worked for several years in the business world before becoming a priest.
As a priest Bishop DeGrood served as parochial vicar, pastor of large suburban parishes and a school, seminarian formator, spiritual director, as well as vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Bishop DeGrood was ordained as bishop and installed in the Diocese of Sioux Falls on February 13, 2020.
Father Jeff Lorig
Fr. Lorig is currently the pastor of St. Joan of Arc and St. Thomas More, two parishes in midtown Omaha. Prior to that he worked in the Chancery as the Director of Pastoral Services where he worked with the Pastoral Offices to implement its mission, vision, and priorities in parishes and schools in the 23-county diocese.
Fr. Lorig received his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, a bachelor’s degree of Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University, and master’s degree in Spirituality at the Angelicum, both in Rome, Italy. He is also a trained spiritual director with the Institute for Priestly Formation as well as a certified Gallup Strengths Coach.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no printed tickets for this event. You will only be asked to provide your name when you check in at the conference.
An automatic $10 early bird discount is applied to everyone who registers before September 1.
We are not able to offer scholarships at this time. If you are looking for assistance, we encourage you to talk to your parish.
Tickets are not refundable.
Lunch is included in your ticket price. Supper is on your own while we transform the worship space for an evening of Adoration.
The registration form will ask if you have dietary restrictions. Let us know what you need, and we will work with the caterer to accommodate you. Please note the Convention Center has a strict policy against anyone bringing in their own food.
The Convention Center has a strict policy against anyone bringing in their own food. If you need specific foods or snacks for medical reasons, please indicate that when the registration form asks if you have dietary restrictions. We will work with the Convention Center to accommodate your needs.
The conference is designed for adults, but mature high schoolers are welcome to attend with a parent.
Infants are welcome. There will be a Mother’s Room for nursing and diaper changes.
We are not able to offer childcare at this event.
Invite your friends. Who are the people you would want to be in ministry with? Ask them to come with you. Start praying now about what God is inviting you to do in your family, parish or community.
This event is designed to help practicing Catholics in our diocese respond to Bishop’s vision for discipleship. Many elements of the day will be distinctly Catholic, such as Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession. If your friend understands that and still wants to come, we encourage you to guide your friend and be open to any questions he may have.
We strongly encourage you to participate in the entire day. Each element has been designed with purpose. If that is not possible, you are welcome to participate in as much of the day as you are able.
Hotel rooms are not included with your ticket. If you are looking for a place to stay, the Sheraton is conveniently connected to the Convention Center, and the Holiday Inn & Suites is located just across the street if you are looking for a budget friendly option.