By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
How does Blessed Damien challenge us today, more than a century after he was buried in Kalaupapa’s warm soil? Who were Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Joshua, really? Need help maintaining your teenager’s interest for two years preparing for confirmation?
Wise and experienced teachers will give you the answers to these questions and more at the Kauai Catechetical and Renewal Conference, July 9-13, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Lihue.
The conference, sponsored by the diocese’s Religious Education Department and its Kauai liaison Sister of St. Francis Florence Remata, will offer catechists, religion teachers, parish ministers and other interested folk 20 courses on topics ranging from church history, the sacraments and Scripture to liturgy and prayer.
Each day offers four different three-hour classes, 9 a.m.-noon, and repeated 6-9 p.m.
Sacred Hearts Sister and scholar Mary Dolorine Pires will teach two classes on local church history — one on the spirituality of Blessed Damien and its implications today, and another on the pioneering work of catechists and trials and the persecution of converts in the first years of the church in Hawaii.
Visiting Sulpician Father John Bitterman will offer courses on Old Testament personalities Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, Moses and Joshua, and the biblical creation accounts.
William Plourde, a teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu, will offer a two-part “thumbnail” history of the church.
Different educators will teach courses on the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and first Eucharist.
Deacon Wally and Gwen Mitsui will share their years of experience running the two-year confirmation prep classes at their Mililani parish.
Other instructors include the diocesan director of religious education Jayne Mondoy, Father Marc Alexander, Regina Pfeiffer, Julia Torres, Lisa Gomes, Stephanie Conching, Cathy Agor and Sister of St. Francis Davilyn Ah Chick.
The cost is $7 per course. For more information and registration forms, call toll-free 877-263-8855, or visit the Religious Education website: www.hi-care.org.