Events
Algona, IA Confirmation Retreat
Full day confirmation retreat with High School students
Granville, IA Parish Mission
Fred and Kara will be leading a Lenten Parish Mission at St Joseph Church in Granville, IA. More details coming soon!
The mission will be Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Parish Mission - St Francis de Sales: Ossian, IA
Sunday, March 3
5:00 Light supper/snacks
5:30 Welcome/Talk #1
6:25 Break
6:40 Talk #2
7:25 Discussion/Reflection
7:45 Closing Prayer
Monday, March 4:
Noon: Mass/Adoration (with Praise & Worship Music) with the St. Teresa Middle School students. Open to public.
5:00 Snacks
5:30 Welcome /Talk #1
6:25 Break with Snacks
6:45 Talk #2
7:25 Discussion/Reflection
7:45 Closing Prayer
Carroll, IA Parish Mission
Fred and Kara will be leading a three day parish mission. in conjunction with The Light is on For You. Confessions will be available for an hour before and an hour after their talk each day.
Madrid, IA Confirmation Retreat
Fred and Kara will be leading the young people of Ascension Parish in a Confirmation retreat focused on living out the purpose of the graces of Confirmation: Living out the call to mission and being a witness of the faith in the world. How can young people be witnesses? Evangelize? How can they help to renew the world around them through the joy of the Gospel? This will be the theme for the day. Time for Adoration, Confession, and a time of praise music will also be a part of the retreat.
High School Student Discussion
Fred will be joining high school students in parish faith formation and sharing insights and encouragement to help them in their walk with the Lord and strengthen their faith.
Diocese of Scranton: Women's Retreat
Kara will be providing talks and reflections and leading the women of the Diocese of Scranton on a weekend retreat.
Fred will be assisting with music/praise and worship throughout the weekend.
This event is still being planned! More details to come!
Catechists Gathering
Fred and Kara will be offering a “Mid-Year Huddle” so to speak, for the catechists of St Joseph in Milford and St Mary in Spirit Lake. Drawing from the spirituality and example of St John Bosco, the discussion will center on the balance between “letting kids be kids” and turning their eyes toward the sacred and helping them to enter prayer with the heart of a child.
Sundays on the Cliff
Fred and Kara will be leading students in praise music and reflection during Adoration; followed by Mass after.
Forming Young Adults in Creative Ways
Fred and Kara will be joining Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute webinar series to share from their experience on forming young adults. Time will also be allotted for questions.
Magnificat Meal
Kara will be speaking during this women’s event.
The Conference is hosted by Magnificat: Northwest Iowa Chapter
More details to come!
Parish Retreat
The focus of this retreat will be on discerning your spiritual gifts. In pouring out the Holy Spirit in the the hearts of believers, and through the grace and power of the Sacraments, the Lord has given gifts to the faithful in order to build up the Church (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4). Over the course of this retreat we will explore not only the gifts themselves, but how to discern your own gifts and how to begin to use them in your daily life and apostolate.
Catholic School Presentation: How to Hand on the Faith at Home
Fred will be sharing some tips, from his own family life, on how parents of Catholic school students can hand on their faith at home.
Parish Mission
Monday
6:00 Social Time (if you want to do drinks and refreshments, this may be a good time. Especially for folks that may be missing dinner.
6:20 Welcome and Opening Prayer
6:30 I Thirst - Kara
This largely evangelistic and deeply personal talk explores Jesus’ words on the Cross, “I Thirst.” How does the Lord “thirst” for us and for our love in return?
7:20 Discussion/Break
7:35 Come, Follow Me - Fred
This reflection explores Jesus' invitation to follow Him; and the invitation he makes to all of us. What can we learn from the example of the disciples? Why is it important that we “drop our nets” and follow Him?
8:20 Discussion/Break
8:30 Closing prayer and dismissal
Tuesday
6:00 Social Time
6:30 Made for Greatness - Kara
Continuing to build on the themes from the night before, this presentation begins with Pope Benedict: “The world promises you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Although he spoke these words to young people, there is a profound truth for all the faithful in it. Drawing in the themes of faithfulness, suffering, humility and more, Kara uses Scripture and the lives of a few specific saints to illustrate the “greatness” to which we are all called.
7:20 Break/Discussion
7:35 Abide in Me - Fred
Beginning with Jesus' words in John 15:4-5, this talk explores the meaning of the words, "Abide in me and I in you." What does it mean to abide? Why are the words significant? What does it have to do with following Christ and bearing fruit? Here we will lay a foundation for the final night, rooted in the words, "Abide in Me, and you will bear much fruit."
8:20 Break/Discussion
8:30 Closing prayer and dismissal
Wednesday
6:00 Social Time
6:20 Welcome and Opening Prayer
6:40 Love Builds the Church - Fred
Scripture tells us that in and through the Holy Spirit, the love of God has been poured forth into our hearts. But, who is the Holy Spirit? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church? What does love have to do with this? Drawing from Scripture (especially 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5, as well as reflecting upon the words of the Come, Holy Spirit prayer, Fred offers a reflection on the importance of the Person of the Holy Spirit and our awareness and cooperation with His work in our lives. Yes, it has everything to do with love and bearing fruit!
7:20 Break/Discussion
7:35 Walking in the Spirit - Kara
The capstone talk of the mission, this talk offers a reflection on the phrase “walking in the Spirit.” Rooted in Scripture, this talk will also present an introduction to the New Testament gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. How has the Lord gifted YOU to help rebuild the Church? That is the focus of this discussion.
8:20 Break/Discussion
8:30 Closing prayer and dismissal
Magnificat of NW Iowa: Women’s Conference
Fred and Kara will be providing praise music during this event.
The Conference is hosted by Magnificat: Northwest Iowa Chapter
More details to come!
Marriage Date Night
Fred and his wife, Krystal, will be presenting, “Stuff They Never Told You in Marriage Preparation.” Joined by Danny and Ashley Swalve, this discussion will look at finding joy in the struggles and living the beauty of marriage in it what can sometimes be the messiness of daily life.
Register here!
High School Seniors Retreat
Fred and Kara will be leading a retreat for Kuemper Catholic High School seniors. This retreat will be based on the book, I Believe in Love, as well as the spirituality of St Therese of Lisieux.
Parish Retreat
The Little Way: Retreat Day with St Therese of Lisieux
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome and opening prayer
10:10 – 11:00 Presentation 1 (Kara/Fred)
11:00 - 11:15 Discussion
11:15 -11:25 Break
11:25 – 12:15 Presentation 2 (Kara/Fred)
12:15 – 12:30 Discussion
12:30 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 Adoration (with reflection)
1:30 – 1:45 Discussion
1:45 – 2:00 Closing Comments and Questions
Catechist Formation/Training
Fred will be providing catechist formation (e.g. lesson planning, tips for teaching, etc) for elementary catechists as well as small group ministry training for middle school leaders.
Catechist Formation/Training
Fred and Kara will be providing formation and training for catechists for the new faith formation year. This will include teaching tips, lesson planning, utilizing the curriculum, etc.
Dance, Identity, and Faith: Talk and Team Bonding
Kara will be offering an encouraging reflection on maintaining your identity through the eyes of faith as a dancer. She will also be leading team bonding activities.
Eucharistic Revival Event
Fred and Kara will be offering a Eucharistic Reflection as part of the 101 Hours of Adoration for St John Paul II Parish in Carroll, IA this week.
Draw Near Retreat
Join us for our annual Draw Near Retreat! Led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell with other wonderful guest speakers.
For More Details click HERE
Parish Retreat
Nervous to share your faith? Feel like you don't know enough or where to begin?
Want to grow deeper in your faith and see renewal in your parish?
Then join us to discover how you can overcome fear and doubts and share the love of Christ with others!
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome/Opening Prayer
10:10 - 10:50 Why Share Your Faith?
10:50 - 11:05 Discussion
11:05 -11:15 Break
11:15 - 11:45 The Gospel Message
11:45 - Noon: Discussion
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 1:00: Sharing Your Testimony
1:00 - 1:50 Putting it Into Practice: Part 1
1:50 - 2:00 Break
2:00 - 2:50 Putting it Into Practice: Part 2
2:50 - 3:00 Wrap Up
Catholic Youth Camp
More information coming soon! But, Fred and Kara (along with their families) are blessed to serve as speakers for this high school session at Catholic Youth Camp!
Learn more about Catholic Youth Camp here!
Catholic Youth Camp
More information coming soon! But, Fred and Kara (along with their families) are blessed to serve as speakers for this high school session at Catholic Youth Camp!
Learn more about Catholic Youth Camp here!
Marriage Date Night
Fred will be presenting “10 Ways to Grow the Faith in Your Home” and will offer some practical tips from his experience with his own six children (including how to pray with your children).
Date Night at Mater Dei Parish!
You can register online - https://materdeisc.org/date-night
Plan on coming if you are dating, engaged, married for 1 year or 80 years! You can expect to enjoy a nice night out with good food and a speaker that will be talking about 10 ways to grow your faith in your home.
The cost is $40/couple and that includes the meal/drinks and childcare if needed.
Childcare will be provided on premises at no extra cost for children 2+. They will also have food and snacks to enjoy along with activities/movie.
Date is June 9th, 2023
Location : Immaculate Conception Parish Center
Social hour begins at 5:30
Dinner is served at 6:30
Speaker is at 7:30
Hope to see you there!
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Fred will be presenting “I Give You What I Have” (a reflection on Acts 3:1-10) as part of an appreciation dinner for the many volunteers of Mater Dei Parish.
This event is by invitation only.