News Release #388

Renowned speaker, Dr. David Walsh, to address Catholic school teachers and administrators

Sleepy Eye, MN - The public is invited to a presentation by nationally renowned author, Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D.,  president of the National Institute on Media and the Family, on Monday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Sleepy Eye, MN. Dr. Walsh is a leading authority in North America on family life, parenting, and the impact of media on children. He is a prominent voice addressing issues related to the influence of media on brain development. His morning presentation is entitled "Boy Brains and Girl Brains: What Does Science Tell Us?" The afternoon presentation is "Raising Media Wise Kids: Safety in the Cyberhood." A frequent guest on national radio and television, he has appeared on such programs as NBC Dateline, CBS This Morning, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Good Morning America, Today Show, and National Public Radio’s All Things Considered.

Dr. Walsh's presentation serves as the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm’s 2005 safe environment program for all diocesan school teachers and administrators throughout the diocese. In compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth, adopted in June, 2002, Article 12 of the Charter requires that all dioceses/eparchies establish annual “safe environment" programs. The diocese’s safe environment program has been in place for three years.

During that time, 16,000 members of the diocese have received training, including 13,000 children and youth who attend the New Ulm Catholic school and religious education programs. Also in accordance with the Charter, parish and school employees and volunteers have had background checks and have been trained in issues relating to sexual misconduct, safe environment and reporting sexual abuse.

The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, will celebrate Mass with workshop attendees at 10:45 a.m. at the Church of St. Mary's, Sleepy Eye.  Lunch will provide opportunities to interact with educators at specific grade levels.  Teachers and staff from St. Mary's in Sleepy Eye will moderate these lunch time sharing opportunities. There will be no classes held at the New Ulm Catholic schools this day as all staff will be attending the workshop.

Cost for the day is $15 which includes lunch. Registration is limited.

To register or for more information, contact Cindy Blickem at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966; email: cblickem@dnu.org.

For further information, please contact the diocesan Office of Communication, (507) 359-2966; email : dnu@dnu.org