By Anne Marie Amacher
Monthly webinar programs are being offered in the Diocese of Davenport to improve communication among parishes, schools and the diocese. Deacon David Montgomery, diocesan director of communications, said the webinars offer training and information to various staffs.
Webinars are programs that are offered across the Internet. Typically, the host site is the diocese. Employees at parishes and schools can view the webinars from their own computer screens at work and not have to worry about travel or expenses that come with attendance at onsite seminars. All webinars are free.
The diocese began offering webinars in 2012; a lineup for 2013 is being produced.
Deacon Montgomery said attendance has ranged from about a half-dozen to around 30 people, depending on the topic. Last year’s topics covered computer tips and tricks, 401(k), workers compensation, Annual Diocesan Appeal promotion and international student training.
Here’s a look at what’s being planned for 2013:
Feb. 5 — seasonal liturgical decoration for Lent with Gale Francione, liturgical consultant.
March 5 — seasonal liturgical decoration for the Triduum/ Easter with Francione.
Francione said at both sessions she will talk about the basic principles of decoration. Simple is better — especially at Lent, she noted. Francione hopes to hear of what ideas have been tried by various parishes that others can learn about.
May 7 — liturgical music with Patti McTaggart of St. Mary Parish in Iowa City. McTaggart said she plans to help music directors with selection of appropriate music, placement of music selections in the liturgy, roles of cantors and accompanists and music selections for the liturgical seasons.
Sept. 3 — the sacrament of confirmation with Deacon Frank Agnoli, director of liturgy, and Mary Wieser, director of faith formation. Deacon Agnoli will provide guidance on preparations for the confirmation liturgy.
Oct. 1 — Foreign students studying in the diocese. Virginia Trujillo, international student advisor for the diocese, will lead this webinar. She will go over the nature of accepting an international student and responsibilities. She also will go over problems that have been encountered with students in the past.
All webinars are held the first Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m.
Deacon Montgomery is looking for topics for other webinars. Ideas should be sent to montgomery@davenportdiocese.org or Hoefling@davenportdiocese.org.
