Madison Diocese Religious Educator’s Organization

First of its kind in the nation, the Madison Diocese Religious Educators' Organization (MDREO) was formed in May 1980 with the purpose of fostering professional and spiritual growth among its members in order that religious education may continue to develop on the parish, diocesan, state and national levels.

The objectives of MDREO include:

To provide and promote opportunitites for mutual support, professional development, and the exchange of educational ideas and programs among its members
To promote cooperation with other appropriate educational agencies and organizations.
To provide and promote opportunities for the spiritual development of its members and to build a faith community.

Membership in MDREO is open to faith formation leaders in the Madison diocese who are or have been responsible for development or implementation of faith formation in the parish or diocese, whether full-time, part-time, salaried or non-salaried, retired or in transition. Payment of dues establishes membership in MDREO as well as WDREF (Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation).

To view a brochure describing this year's MDREO programming days and an MDREO registration form, see the links to the left.

The MDREO executive committee for the 2011-2012 year consists of:
President: Becky Thompson, beckyt@stjosephbaraboo.org, 608-356-5353
Vice President: Mary Lynn Hendrickson, hmocym@charter.net, 608-835-5764, ext. 125
Treasurer: Tiffany Topel, tippy_topel@hotmail.com, 920-674-5433
Secretary: Susan Leet, susan@saintalberts.org, 608-837-3798

MDREO representatives to WDREF include:
Becky Thompson, beckyt@stjosephbaraboo.org
Dominick Meyer, dmeyer@olaschool.wis, 608-362-1231, ext.102
Jenny Ludtke, jennifer@stamadison.org

Movie Matinee: Catholicism
Film Producer/Narrator: Fr. Robert Barron

It's grand in scope, gorgeous in cinematography, global in its depiction of modern-day Catholicism. Join us for a big-screen double-feature presentation of selections from Fr. Robert Barron's epic new "Catholicism".

Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bishop O'Connor Center
Contact Mary Lynn Hendrickson at 608-835-5764 x125 for more information

For a flyer Click Here

Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award

Each year, MDREO presents the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award to a person in MDREO who is actively engaged and has made a significant contribution in parish catechetical ministry on an administrative level and is outstanding in leadership and achievements in the faith formation field.

The most recent recipient is:

2011 - Sr. Mary Jude Seaman

Sr. Mary Jude Seamen was presented with the Jack McBride Leadership Award in May. This award is given by the local Madison Diocese Religious Education Organization to a member who exemplifies the qualities of faithfulness and leadership in the field of faith formation. Sr. Jude, as she prefers to be called, has been in ministry in the diocese of Madison for over 50 years! She came back to her home parish, St. Michael’s in Berlin (now known as All Saints) after receiving three Master’s Degrees: MA Theology at College of St Francis in Joliet, IL 1972; M Education at Loyola University in Chicago, 1978; and Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Loyola, 1995. She has been an active member of the TEC Team (Together Encountering Christ), and served on the Board as the Director.

Here is what some of her friends and parishioner say about Sr Jude:

The words that come to mind when I hear Sr Jude’s name are “sweet soul”…that plays out in the way she interacts with Kinergarten to confirmation kids and beyond. She asks, “How are my kids doing? Are they growing in their faith?” Sr Jude knows her faith and puts her time and effort into it.

Sr Jude is the type of person you don’t know how to say NO to… I taught for years for her. I love her to death. She is so dedicated. She gives her entire being to the church. She lives to serve others! She had such a great faith that everything would always fall into place with the volunteers that worked with her. She is very humble and would never expect to be recognized with this award. She gives the credit to God.

Diocese of Madison
Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center
702 South High Point Road, P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53719
Phone: 608-821-3000; Fax: 608-821-4552