PORTAGE – Liturgical ministers from throughout the Diocese of Gary gathered joyfully at Nativity of Our Savior for the annual two-day training and renewal conference that featured a decidedly international flavor this year.
The more than 200 attendees represented almost an even split among English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics who serve their parishes in ministries ranging from hospitality and greeters to lectors to ministers of care who bring Holy Communion to the homebound.
From a reverent Evening Prayer and Reflection service to a festive fellowship dinner with lively mariachi music, the opening of Conference ’24 on Nov. 15 set the tone for a friendly and faith-filled series of sessions held in both English and Spanish.
After a welcome by parishioner Austin Bonta, mayor of Portage, the Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration began with sacred hymns, followed by Bishop Robert J. McClory’s reflection on praising the Lord “with devotion and awe.”
Calling it “our duty to praise God, but also our gift,” the bishop described his congregation as “disciples of the Word and the Eucharist. Each of us has a mission and a purpose. We can ask, ‘God, how do you want to use me?’ because not all gifts are the same, but all of us are called to love and serve.
“Let’s listen to Him as He guides us in how He wants us to serve,” the bishop urged.
After silent prayer, more sacred music and benediction, the servants of the liturgy moved into the school gym for a festive buffet dinner featuring foods from several cultures – spring rolls to tacos – and lively music from Mariachis Santa Maria, the band of St. Mary in East Chicago. Joining the musicians on stage to sing two songs was Father Lalo (Ed) Shea, O.F.M., while many in the audience sang along.
“I liked everything that was said at church tonight, said Luis Del Real, a Spanish-speaking minister of care from St. Joseph the Worker in Gary, with a smile. “I want to learn more about being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion on Saturday.”
Marilou Tonkovich, the EMHC coordinator/scheduler at St. John the Baptist in Whiting, said she “loves Eucharistic Adoration” and found the silence at Friday’s service “very meditative. I could pray and it was conducive to listening to God.
“I love our Bishop McClory, too, and believe we are so blessed to have him. My favorite quote from him tonight was, ‘God doesn’t need our praises, but it is a gift to us to praise him.’”
Saturday morning’s schedule began with Holy Mass, followed by a pair of keynote addresses following the theme “With Devotion and Awe” in English by music minister Santiago Fernandez of Novi, Mich., and in Spanish by diocesan coordinator of intercultural ministry Dr. Claudia Sadowski.
“We need to take ourselves very seriously,” Fernandez said after explaining the work of several ministries. “You are very special, you are very important.”
Fernandez said all liturgical ministers “have two very important tasks – to know the liturgy (the Liturgical Year, richness of the lectionary, ritual moments and appropriate spiritual music) and to know the gathered assembly, because our Church is changing and we may be with young or old, different cultures and languages of choice.
“Liturgical ministers,” he added, “must prepare the liturgy well, create among them a vision and plans, conduct focused and effective meetings and become service-oriented missionary disciples – doing everything with a heart for service.”
The keynote presentation delivered by Dr. Sadowski focused on the core aspects of Christian identity, emphasizing the vital role of the Word of God and the Eucharist in the life of a disciple of Christ. The session began with an introduction and prayer, setting the tone for deep reflection on the power of God's Word as both revelation and a personal encounter with Him.
Dr. Sadowski highlighted the Eucharist as the "Bread of Life," a source of spiritual nourishment and hope for all believers. She also explored the profound connection between the Word and the Eucharist, showing how both strengthen discipleship within the community of faith.
Attendees were invited to engage in moments of prayer and meditation and were inspired by testimonies and practical examples of living out the Gospel. The presentation concluded with a call to “renew our commitment to living the teachings of Christ through a deeper relationship with the Word and the Eucharist,” reinforcing the importance of these sacraments as foundations of Christian life.
After breakfast, the liturgical ministers headed to individual sessions focused on their specific ministry. After eating lunch, ministers headed back to their individual sessions for more training before afternoon dismissal.
Thomas Cafiero, an EMHC at St. Bridget, Hobart, appreciated learning “how to be more reverent with the presentation of the host, “to make eye contact and look right at the person we are giving Holy Communion to” during the morning session.
“The session was very spirit-filled, as was the keynote,” said Richard Rollensen, an EMHC at Nativity of Our Savior. “Dr. (Michael) Poradek, our renewal instructor, really got us thinking by asking us what keeps us coming back to (our) ministry.”
Scott Swets of St. John the Evangelist in St. John, newly enrolled in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry class, is a minister of care who is also starting to train as a lector. “You take communion to the homebound and those in hospitals and nursing homes to minister to them, but they minister to you even more,” he said.
Caption: Performing a skit to open the Conference '24 training and renewal sessions for liturgical ministers from the Diocese of Gary on Nov. 16 are (from left) Dr. Claudia Sadowski, diocesan coordinator of intercultural ministry, Michelle Alexander, Father Lalo (Ed) Shea, C.F.M., and Adeline Torres. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)