Renewal Conference 2024 coming to Hilbert College on March 22

The diocesan Renewal Team will host Renewal Conference 2024 on Friday, March 22. The all-day conference, held at Hilbert College from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., is open to all people.

Susan Windley-Daust, Ph.D., director of missionary discipleship for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, will deliver a keynote address on “The Four Ways Forward.” The former professor and chair of theology at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota holds a doctorate in theology from Vanderbilt University, a certificate in spiritual direction, and is the author of four books.

“She has a vision and a way forward,” said Father Bryan Zielenieski, vicar for Renewal and Development for the Diocese of Buffalo. “It’s not rocket science, but it is empowering.”

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester had gone through bankruptcy in 2018. Windley-Daust will bring that experience with her as she shares a message of hope.

“You can survive bankruptcy. You can survive the settlement. And now, how do you rebuild moving forward,” said Father Zielenieski.

Breakout sessions involve experts in the six pillar areas of Liturgy, Spiritual Life, Forming Disciples, Outreach/Inreach, Administration and Stewardship from within and outside the diocese. The conference is ideal for pillar leaders, but this is open to all people involved in their parish.

“This is for everybody,” Father Zielenieski explained. “The Renewal conference will speak to every location, every family, whether you’re urban, suburban, rural. There’s something for everyone here.”

An enrichment section is open to people who are not part of a pillar group. They can learn the generalities of how to move forward during this renewal process. “So, anyone will find something of value at this conference,” Father Zielenieski said.

It will also create an opportunity for people to share the success stories and issues that have arisen during the process.

“One of the great ideas behind the conference is, sometimes we get caught up in the negativity and we only see the struggles that we’re going through, but when we come together, we start to hear some of those success stories of where it’s working or ideas of how they made it work. Even if they’re shared struggles, you know you are not alone in that, and you can talk about strategies to overcome those together,” Father Zielenieski said. “When we collaborate and come together as a larger body of Christ, greater things can happen. I want to assure people that there are a lot of good things happening in the families of parishes. This is an opportunity where you’re going to be able to share those stories and be inspired by the work that is happening in some of our families.”

Cost is $25 per person with breakfast and lunch included. Register here. Deadline in March 8.