December, 2020 - Ministry Forum

BEWARE-GIFT CARD SCAM IS BACK!

We have gotten multiple reports from pastors and parish staff about emails and texts being sent to parishioners and staff claiming to be from the parish priest and asking for the recipient to purchase gift cards. This is a scam that has been going on for multiple years now, and unfortunately there isn’t much we or the South Dakota Attorney General or the South Dakota Department of Consumer Protection can do about it, other than warn and educate people.

We would highly recommend putting a warning about this scam in your parish bulletins periodically and letting your parishioners and staff know you will never solicit them for gift cards via email or text and to always check by calling the parish office or contacting Father.

Digital security awareness education and training is encouraged and available for pastors and your parish staff!

Please contact Dawn Wolf for more details regarding this security education opportunity at dwolf@sfcatholic.org or by calling 605-988-3707.

Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center Events

Silent Retreats:

Women’s: February 4-7, March 4-7, May 13-16, June 17-20, August 12-15, September 16-19, October 7-10, November 4-7
Men’s: February 18-21, April 15-18, August 19-22, September 23-26, October 21-24, November 18-21

Day of Recollection: Broom Tree Days of Recollection begin at 10 a.m. and include conferences, time for Adoration, Mass, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The day ends in mid-afternoon. Because lunch is served, we ask that you please register. A prayerful donation is requested.

2021 Days of Recollection
January 19- “Call of the Disciple” directed by Fr. Tom Anderson
February 9- “The Amazing Wonders of Lourdes” directed by Fr. Mark Lichter
March 9- Directed by Fr. Paul King
April 13- “The Reality of the Resurrection” directed by Dr. Chris Burgwald
May 11- “Letting God Love You” directed by Fr. Shaun Haggerty

Couples Retreats
February 26-28, 2021- Directed by Sean and Jen Dalton

November 12-14, 2021- Directed by Jim and Meg Beckman
During this retreat couples will have the blessed opportunity to spend time together receiving from the very heart of God. The environment at Broom Tree makes for a perfect couples get-away…no TV, no radio, no phones or computers, just beautiful, peaceful surroundings, good food, and all the time and good direction you need to experience renewal in your marriage. Register early.

Undone: A Healing Retreat
March 12-14, 2021
October 15-17, 2021

Directed by Fr. Scott Traynor

Jesus desires to bring healing and restored wholeness to every person. Healing is central to Jesus’ life and mission. By our own sin or the sufferings of the human experience, our hearts can easily become wounded or distant from God, who alone can offer true restoration. Under the patronage of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, this retreat will assist participants in becoming aware of Jesus’ desire to bring restoration in their lives and will offer opportunities to encounter His healing grace.

Conferences for the retreat will focus on the power of Jesus to heal in mind, body and spirit, and will offer participants practical ways to invite that grace into their own lives. A collaboration of Broom Tree Retreat Center and Catholic Family Services, this retreat will offer time for individual spiritual direction as well as one-on-one discussion with licensed Counselors from Catholic Family Services.

2021 Bishop’s Charity Events Dates

Mark your calendars for the following 2021 Bishop’s Charity Events! Don’t miss out on all the fun and fellowship while supporting numerous causes in our diocese! For more information visit, ccfesd.org/events or call 605.988.3765.

Gift of Hope | TBD | Sioux Falls | Benefiting Catholic Family Services

Bishop’s Fishing Tournament | June 7 & June 14 | Big Stone City, SD & Pierre, SD | Benefiting Seminarian Education

Bishop’s Cup | August 23 | Sioux Falls | Benefiting Broom Tree

Taste the Goodness | August 28 | Sioux Falls | Benefiting Bishop Dudley Hospitality House

Bishop’s Charity Hunt | September 20 & September 21 | Kimball, SD | Benefiting Newman Catholic Campus Ministry

Christmas at the Cathedral | December 16 – December 19 | Sioux Falls | Benefiting Bishop Dudley Hospitality House & Cathedral of Saint Joseph

Chancery Updates

Included in this Ministry Forum is important information about Advent Baby Shower from Catholic Family Services.
If you need to send mail to Father Dana Christensen, he has a new address. Please send mail to: 404 Draper St., Milbank, SD, 57252.

Help the Bishop’s Bulletin tell diocesan stories

The Bishop’s Bulletin is looking for writers in the diocese to contribute to the content in the diocesan magazine. We want to tell more of the stories around the diocese and need help doing it. If you are a writer and would like to volunteer to write a story a few times a year, contact Renae Kranz at rkranz@sfcatholic.org. A writing sample is required, so be ready to show off your best stuff! This is a great way for young (high school/college age) or new writers to get experience and build a portfolio; however, all ages and experience levels are welcome. You will get a byline for every story published. Photographers are also welcome to reach out to Renae if you would like to contribute.

Discipleship and Evangelization

Study Resources for From Christendom to Apostolic Mission

Father Scott Traynor and Dr. Chris Burgwald have recorded seven 10-15 minute videos to help you guide conversation and deeper formation in Apostolic Mission. Accompanying each video is a simple one-page discussion guide. Together, the video and discussion guide lend themselves to a one-hour session. The resources are designed for a seven-week study, but could easily be used in a two-day retreat format or other combination. You can access these resources at www.sfcatholic.org/apostolicmission.

Bulk Orders for From Christendom to Apostolic Mission

Interested in purchasing copies of the book for your parish at a discounted rate? You are invited to join us in placing a bulk order. The most each book will cost is $6.50 (+ shipping and tax), but the more parishes that join, the greater the discount. You can place your orders by emailing our office at discipleship@sfcatholic.org. In the email please include your parish name, shipping address and how many you would like. Orders are due by January 15, 2021. If you have questions, please contact our office at 605-988-3748.

Adult Discipleship and Evangelization Offerings

Catholic Conversations: Like Us In All Things

December 10 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | St. Therese Parish, Sioux Falls
Jesus was human, too. Too often we think that we can’t live like He did because He’s perfect and we aren’t. The truth is, while He is fully God, He is also fully man. He shows us how to live, how to be authentically human. Join Dr. Chris as he sheds light on the dual natures of Jesus Christ.

SEEK Conference – Save the Date!
What if there’s more to your story? The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) hosts an annual discipleship conference attended by thousands of college students from around the country. In recent years they created a track for parish mission, and this year they are partnering with the diocese to bring the conference to you. Join us February 5-7, 2021, in Sioux Falls for a weekend that just might change everything. All the info coming soon. We will be updating our SEEK webpage as details are finalized in the coming weeks.

Through God’s Love – Save the Date!
Saturday, April 24, 2021, we will be hosting a day-long conference that unpacks Bishop DeGrood’s vision for our diocese. More info to come in January, but for now save the date. We would love to see you and your parishioners there.

Check out a complete list of Chris’s events.

Youth Discipleship and Evangelization Offerings

Upcoming Events

Power Hour Meetings:
Tuesdays @ 11 a.m. – Zoom meeting

Going Deeper Retreats:
December 11-13, 2020 – St. Mary Parish, Dell Rapids
April 9-11, 2021 – Abbey of the Hills

Encounter Events (NET):
January 24, 2021 – Mitchell
March 7, 2021 – Ipswich
April 18, 2021 – Sisseton
May 2, 2021 – Watertown

Last Collar Standing:
January 10, 2021 @ 4 p.m.

“Come Follow Me” Seminar:
January 16, 2021 @ 9:30 a.m. – St. George Parish, Hartford

More Info

“Power Hour” for Parish Leaders
Every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Eric Gallagher, Dr. Chris Burgwald, and Fr. Scott Traynor host a “power hour” for the parish leaders via Zoom. Our hope is that this weekly hour will draw everyone who is actively engaged as leaders (priests, parish staff, and others) around the diocese to rally around Bishop DeGrood’s vision and will offer very direct responses to needs we are seeing through discussions on strategies and models, ongoing formation and study of texts, breakout sessions on specific topics, and more. These meetings will be recorded so those who are not typically available during the work day can access them at a later time. To get involved in these meetings, please ensure you are on the Parish Catechetical Leaders email list. If you are not already receiving these PCL emails, you can sign up for them at the For Youth Leaders page on the diocesan webpage.

Going Deeper Retreat – December 2020
The ‘Heart Speaks to Heart’ Going Deeper Retreat is right around the corner. Promotional material is available on the Going Deeper webpage as well as the link to register. Open to teens wishing to delve deeper into their faith. This retreat is primarily in silence.
Bulletin Blurb: Last call to sign up for the ‘Heart Speaks to Heart’ Going Deeper Retreat December 11-13, 2020, at St. Mary Parish in Dell Rapids. Find all the info at www.sfcatholic.org/youth.

Last Collar Standing
It’s happening again! Watch as 12 priests compete LIVE in the 2nd Annual “Last Collar Standing!” They will compete in various activities and vote each other “off the island” until only one priest remains. The livestream will begin January 10 at 4 p.m. and can be found on the diocesan youth webpage. Don’t forget to root for your favorite priest! To sign up for updates on the event, click here.
Bulletin Blurb: Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual ‘Last Collar Standing’ Competition on January 10 at 4 p.m. Sign up for updates on our webpage: www.sfcatholic.org/youth/

D-Camp
D-Camp registration is now available online. The high school camp will be July 11-14 and the junior high camp will be July 15-18. You can find all the info on the D-Camp webpage.
Bulletin Blurb: D-camp registration is now open for July 2021! Space is limited, so reserve your spot today at www.sfcatholic.org/youth/d-camp/.

Lumen Christi
Lumen Christi is taking the place of Totus Tuus this summer in the Diocese of Sioux Falls! Find out all the information about this program and reserve a team of missionaries for your parish at our webpage.
Bulletin Blurb: Totus Tuus is now going by Lumen Christi. If you are a college student looking for a fulfilling summer job, pray about becoming a Lumen Christi Missionary for the summer of 2021. Find all the info at www.sfcatholic.org/youth/lumen-christi/

Come Follow Me
‘Come Follow Me’ is a catechetical model that St. George Parish has used for several years for their K-5 Family Formation in-person sessions. There will be a seminar on the program January 16 at St. George Parish, Hartford, that will last from (tentatively) 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It is designed for two purposes: 1) reinvigoration and vision casting for our catechists who already use it and 2) a sort of come-and-see for other priests, DRE’s, etc. who are curious about this model. The day will feature two experts in this methodology: Sr. Hyacinthe, OP joining us virtually from France and Sr. Madeleine Marie, SsEW who will join us in-person, visiting from Alabama.

Vocation Discernment Retreat 2020

Father Scott Traynor will be speaking at a retreat hosted by the Vocations Office. In place of the annual seminary visits that have been canceled due to the current health conditions, the Vocations Office is hosting a silent retreat. You can find all the info on their event page.

Stay up-to-date by texting SFDIOCESE to 84576 or visiting sfdiocese.flocknote.com.