New network for Catholic professionals forms

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Earlier this month Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City hosted a lunch meeting to kick off a new group open to area Catholics – the Siouxland Catholic Professionals Network.

According to Heather Marreel, one of the eight-person organizing committee, the new group was established via a grassroots effort as a means to bring Catholic professionals – those presently working and retired - together. 

Share a meal and stories
To have that commonality of being Catholic, business professionals or retirees, she noted, where they “come together once a month to have lunch and share stories about what we do and what Jesus means in our lives was the crux of bringing it all together.”

The first of what will be monthly meetings was held Jan. 16 in the Immaculate Conception Center featuring Bishop John E. Keehner as the guest speaker.

As Father Brad Pelzel, pastor of Mater Dei Parish, introduced the bishop he pointed out that this type of network was designed so that attendees could have conversations, get to know one another and support one another – united in faith in a world very divided.

Attendance far surpassed the hopes of the organizers.

“It exceeded our expectations by far. Our goal was 15 to 25 but we had almost 50 from all walks of life,” said Marreel. 

Lisa Niebuhr, parish development director at Mater Dei and a member of the new network’s planning committee, pointed out that the parish previously offered a similar group but it dissolved during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Father Brad Pelzel welcomed professions and introduced Bishop John E. Keehner at the first meeting of the Siouxland Catholic Professonals Network.

Last summer Father Pelzel asked Niebuhr about the possibility of reestablishing a Catholic professionals’ group so she began reaching out to individuals who might be interested in helping to resurrect an adapted version of the group.“We thought this should not be just a Mater Dei (effort), but Siouxland,” said Niebuhr, who noted they began forming a planning committee and organizing in the fall. She mentioned that they looked into various already established clubs and networks but in the end opted to create their own to tailor it to their own needs.

One committee member suggested the group include retired professionals because so many still volunteer and are active in their parishes and communities.

When Niebuhr reached out to Amy Jones about being part of the committee, the director of marketing and development at Catholic Charities willingly agreed.

Aligning faith and work
“It’s a great opportunity to get to know other people who are living the Catholic faith that you may work around and see often, but if you don’t go to the same parish as them you may not know their background,” said Jones. “It’s a great opportunity to come together. There is such great value that can come from getting together and having the opportunity to discuss your faith life and how it aligns with your work life.”

Marreel said you may see someone at church but not know what they do for a living or want to know more about them. This is an opportunity to build stronger relationships and share the faith.

The mission of the group: To unite working and retired Catholic professionals from across Siouxland in a supportive community to grow in faith, foster authentic relationships and inspire one another to live our Catholic values boldly and ethically every day.

Not long after Marreel’s mother had died, a woman whom she had never seen before approached her and mentioned it was wonderful she had a mother who taught her piano and made her practice. The comments came after Marreel had played for Mass at Mater Dei that day and having shared the musical bond with her mother, the timing was extra moving for her.

“It was such a powerful moment,” she said. “It’s such an example of when Jesus sees we need to make a connection – even with a perfect stranger – it shows how faith can work in your life.”

Niebuhr pointed out that as they build up relationships in the group, they can support one another and find topics for the presentations that would be of interest or benefit to members of the network. For instance, she added, they could consider a talk about grief.
Nearly 50 people attended the first meeting for the newly formed Siouxland Catholic Professionals Network.
Upcoming meetings
Future meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month at noon. Locations will vary but information will be posted on social media. Upcoming meetings include:
On Feb. 12, Chris and Dr. Julie Lohr will discuss marriage in a presentation titled “Two Hearts, One Practice: A Catholic Love Story” at the Immaculate Conception Center.
Judge Pat and Lisa Tott will deliver “It’s All About Faith, Not Luck” on March 12, location to be announced.

On April 9, Jacob and Anna Heller will present “A Shared Calling: Faith, Marriage and Service to Others” at the Goodwill Mission Service Center in Sioux City.

“Each one of the speakers will address their faith in an area that many can relate to,” said Neibuhr, who noted that the location of the gatherings will change.

Marreel said the talks will be relatable and focused on real life experiences, not too heavy on theology or doctrine.

“Most meetings will include time for casual conversations and connecting with one another,” said Jones.

“All we ask is that people to bring is their lunch and conversation,” said Marreel.

Currently, the meetings are set up for participants to bring their own lunch and beverage. Following lunch and the talk, there is time for Q&A and fellowship/networking.

There are no dues or RSVPs required, noted Jones, who mentioned that participants can come as often as their schedule allows – attend every month or a few times a year.

The bishop speaks
For the January meeting, given that Bishop Keehner is new to the diocese, he spoke about his work and family background as well as some personal faith experiences such as walking the Camino. There was also time for some questions and answers with the bishop.

“In my opinion, this is a really important group. The whole call from the Second Vatican Council is that everyone has an apostolate by which they are sent out into the world,” said Bishop Keehner. “The distinct apostolate of the laity is to go out into the world and to infuse the marketplace…with your faith.”

This new network, he noted, is a way to do that. For most people, the bishop added, they make an impact on the world one person at a time – not only on family members and friends 
but with those they come into contact with.

“We model for them the face of Jesus and see in them the face of Jesus as well,” said Bishop Keehner. “It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s hard to see the face of Christ in others. Correct? Sometimes it’s hard to see the face of Christ in ourselves and we need to do that recognizing that yes we are broken, yes we are sinful, yes we have issues. We all have issues.”

Giving witness in our own lives about how the love of Christ has changed us, he said, is what each Christian is called to do. Again, he stressed, transforming the world is done one person at a time.

The January meeting wrapped up with attendees introducing themselves to the group.
In time, the Siouxland Catholic Professionals Network will most likely establish their own social media accounts but for now, members of the planning committee are working together to get the word out about the network and upcoming meetings.

Niebuhr said the meetings will be recorded and posted to Mater Dei’s YouTube channel. Information about Siouxland Catholic Professionals Network is also available online at materdeisc.org/catholic-professionals-network.
 
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