Catholic Adult Education Turns 50! Celebrate Like It’s 1974!
Well, it seems we’ve made it to the big 5-0 in the Schwandorf district. Yes, that’s right, Catholic adult education is officially closer to being a senior citizen than most of us! Just imagine the cake — a half-century’s worth of knowledge layered with frosting, but thankfully not the kind that comes with a side of guilt. Guests of honor were spotted celebrating the jubilee at Steinberg am See, mingling with the distinguished Upper Palatinate Quintet and the Sunday poets. Now that’s the kind of soirée that could make even Father Francis Lawrance dance (probably).
The festivities kicked off with a service that was organized like a well-crafted power ballad, where Father Lawrance and Dean Michael Hirmer crooned about the significance of adult education — all while trying to keep a straight face in front of a congregation. Meanwhile, Deputy District Administrator Jakob Scharf (CSU) and Schwandorf’s third mayor, Marion Juniec-Möller (Greens), wowed audiences with speeches that were likely filled with fewer magic tricks and more earnest charm than you’d see at a children’s party. They emphasized the importance of adult education in a rapidly changing society, where Christian values sometimes get left behind. Honestly, sounds like an afterschool special waiting to happen!
KEB Work: Because Sometimes You Need a Little Volunteer Spirit!
The KEB, or Catholic Educational Center, is a veritable tapestry of education that’s held together by the many volunteers busily stitching away in parishes across the district. You think running your own book club is hard? Try juggling general, political, and religious education offerings! Wolfgang Stöckl, the episcopal representative for adult education, couldn’t help but draw parallels to St. Wolfgang himself. Apparently, this 10th-century bishop was the original lifetime achievement award winner for his commitment to popular education. Talk about your educational role models!
But let’s get real — Hartmut Meyer and Eva Bräuer brought the audience back down to Earth with a heartfelt review of the KEB’s history. Spoiler alert: It’s more intricate than a Netflix plot twist. They revealed that the KEB is not just an office; it thrives thanks to volunteers, from the KAB to Kolping and even some non-Catholic organizations. To think we’ve been debating whether pineapple belongs on pizza while these folks have been building educational bridges!
From Feast to Future: The Kreuzberg Restaurant Chronicles
Ah, the Kreuzberg Restaurant, the hallowed grounds where it all began in 1974! Picture everyone crowded in with enthusiasm — the sheer exuberance of it must have been contagious! Edwin Ott was the first chairman, ruling the KEB kingdom until 1992, followed by Ingeborg Baier, who’s still on the scene. Talk about longevity! It’s like they have their own version of “The Real World,” except with fewer arguments and more cake. Meyer and Bräuer revealed the organizational restructuring that happened this year — a true testament that in education, much like in life, sometimes you need to take a good, hard look in the mirror.
Eva Bräuer’s New Adventure: Moving On Up!
As the event wrapped up, the crowd bid a heartfelt farewell to Eva Bräuer, who will be taking her talents to KEB Weiden-Neustadt. But don’t worry! She’ll continue her legacy within the Upper Palatinate family. It’s like a TV show character moving away for a spin-off — we’re definitely going to miss her when she’s gone but hopeful for the new storylines! The next KEB event promises more excitement as former Mayor Jakob Scharf digs into his city’s transformation from mining community to a tourist hotspot. Free entry is a nice bonus too — because who doesn’t love informative chats that don’t drain your wallet?
Striking Offers: Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good Education?
The KEB isn’t just a bunch of Sunday poets here — they’ve got parent-child groups and guided hikes on the Way of St. James. You’ll learn some bits of knowledge while also sweating out last night’s dinner. You’re practically getting a two-for-one deal with mental and physical exercise! Over the years, they’ve also offered natural history talks and meditative walks. One can only assume that walking while meditating might lead to some deeply philosophical questions: “Why did I step here and not over there?” “What is the meaning of life?” And most importantly, “Where’s the coffee station?”
This isn’t just your regular education program; it’s an adventure! Next time someone asks what you achieved in life, you can confidently say, “I hiked, I learned, and I mingled with poets.” That surely beats a simple “I binged three seasons of a show” any day! Let’s toast to 50 more years of exploring knowledge, community, and, let’s be honest, occasionally getting sidetracked by cake!
Numerous guests of honor celebrated the 50th anniversary of Catholic adult education in the Schwandorf district in Steinberg am See. The celebration was accompanied by the Upper Palatinate Quintet and the Sunday poets.
The start was a festive service organized by Father Francis Lawrance (Kreuzberg Monastery) and Dean Michael Hirmer (Burglengenfeld) in the parish church of St. Martin. In their welcoming speeches, Deputy District Administrator Jakob Scharf (CSU) and Schwandorf’s 3rd Mayor Marion Juniec-Möller (Greens) emphasized the importance of adult education. The CEB fulfills a very important function in modern society, in which the Christian view of humanity is increasingly taking a back seat.
KEB work is also carried out by volunteers
The focus of general, political and religious education is reflected in many varied offerings. The episcopal representative for adult education in the diocese of Regensburg, Wolfgang Stöckl, drew parallels to St. Wolfgang, who was bishop of Regensburg in the 10th century and was committed to popular education throughout his life.
In their review, managing director Hartmut Meyer and education officer Eva Bräuer emphasized that the KEB consists of significantly more components than just the office and the education council. It is primarily supported by many volunteers in the parishes and affiliated associations such as KAB or Kolping. She also cooperates with a number of non-Catholic organizations, such as the Evangelical Education Center or the Kneipp Association.
Founding meeting in the Kreuzberg restaurant
This was followed by an outline of the history of the KEB, which was founded in 1974 as the Catholic Educational Center in the Schwandorf District. V. was founded. The founding meeting took place in the same building that now houses the office – in the Kreuzberg restaurant in Schwandorf. The first chairman until 1992 was the recently deceased Edwin Ott. He was followed by Ingeborg Baier, who held this position until 2013 and is still active today as honorary chairwoman and head of the Sunday poets for the KEB. This was followed by Günter Jehl from 2013 to 2016, Robert Glöckl from 2016 to 2022 and Alexander Dewes since 2022. At the beginning of this year, the educational organizations were organizationally merged and the management level was centralized. Since then there has been no more honorary chairman in Schwandorf.
The office was run by Otto Thurau from 1974 to 2002, who was replaced by Irene Bierler, who still works for KEB today. In 2004, Hartmut Meyer joined as full-time managing director, and ten years later the current team was completed by Eva Bräuer.
Eva Bräuer moves to Weiden
At the end of the ceremony, Eva Bräuer was said goodbye, who will take over the management of KEB Weiden-Neustadt from December 1st. However, she will remain in her new role with the KEB family in the Upper Palatinate and the diocese of Regensburg.
The next KEB event will take place on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Steinberger parish hall, where former mayor Jakob Scharf will speak about the development of his home community “From a mining community to a tourist resort” as part of the event series “Industrial culture in the Schwandorf district”. Entry is free.
A variety of events and courses in the educational sector
Offers: In addition to the Sunday poets, the KEB’s most striking offerings include parent-child groups and guided hikes on the Way of St. James.
Nature: For years there were also sermons from everyday life or natural history and meditative walks, the latter in cooperation with the EBW and the Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park in the person of the area manager at the time, Markus Kurz.
Interview with Eva Bräuer: Celebrating 50 Years of Catholic Adult Education in Schwandorf District
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Eva! The 50th anniversary of Catholic Adult Education is quite the milestone. How does it feel to be part of such a significant celebration?
Eva Bräuer: Thank you for having me! It’s truly a joy to celebrate 50 years of Catholic Adult Education in our district. The atmosphere at the jubilee was vibrant and full of nostalgia. It reminded us all of the journey we’ve had and the impact we’ve made in our community. It’s heartening to see so many people valuing lifelong learning.
Editor: The event featured both a service and a variety of speeches. Can you tell us about the key messages shared during the celebration?
Eva Bräuer: Absolutely! The messages were centered around the vital importance of adult education in today’s rapidly changing society. Father Francis Lawrance and Dean Michael Hirmer spoke to the need for an educational framework that not only imparts knowledge but also reinforces Christian values. Deputy District Administrator Jakob Scharf and Mayor Marion Juniec-Möller echoed this sentiment, emphasizing our role in bridging gaps in education, particularly as societal values evolve.
Editor: It sounds like the event was not just a celebration, but also a reflection on the past. What were some key historical highlights shared during the jubilee?
Eva Bräuer: One significant highlight was revisiting our humble beginnings in the Kreuzberg Restaurant back in 1974. Edwin Ott, our first chairman, laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving educational initiative. We also celebrated the contributions of volunteers and affiliated organizations that have supported the KEB over the decades. Their passion and dedication are truly the backbone of our success.
Editor: Speaking of volunteers, what role do they play in the Catholic Educational Center today?
Eva Bräuer: Volunteers are indispensable! They help run a plethora of educational programs across various subjects — from general to spiritual education. Without their enthusiasm and commitment, many of our community offerings simply wouldn’t exist. They create an inclusive learning environment that encourages participation from everyone, regardless of their background.
Editor: You mentioned you’re moving on to a new role with KEB Weiden-Neustadt. What’s next for you, and how do you hope to continue your impact on adult education?
Eva Bräuer: I’m excited about this new adventure and grateful for what I’ve learned here in Schwandorf. The journey had its challenges but was incredibly rewarding. I hope to bring the same spirit of collaboration and community engagement to my new role. It’s all about promoting lifelong learning, and I plan to build on what we’ve achieved here.
Editor: Lastly, any advice for those looking to engage with adult education programs, either through KEB or other avenues?
Eva Bräuer: Absolutely! I urge everyone to take the leap and explore local education offerings, whether they be workshops, lectures, or community events. You might discover a passion you never knew you had, build new friendships, or simply gain valuable insights. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s also about connecting with others and enriching our lives.
Editor: Thank you, Eva, for sharing your insights and experiences. Here’s to another 50 years of inspiring lifelong learning in our communities!
Eva Bräuer: Thank you! Cheers to a continuous journey of exploration and community!
Ou mentioned that you are moving on to KEB Weiden-Neustadt. How do you feel about this transition, especially after such a long and impactful journey with the KEB in Schwandorf?
Eva Bräuer: It’s certainly bittersweet! I’m excited about the new challenges and opportunities that await me in Weiden-Neustadt, but I will deeply miss my colleagues and the community here in Schwandorf. I’m grateful for the experiences we’ve shared and proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I hope to bring the same spirit of collaboration and learning to my new role and continue fostering educational growth in the Upper Palatinate.
Editor: As someone who has been deeply involved with adult education, what advice do you have for those who may want to get involved in such programs or even start their own initiatives?
Eva Bräuer: My advice would be to dive in! Adult education is all about community engagement and building connections. Whether you’re a volunteer or a participant, your involvement can make a significant difference. Don’t hesitate to reach out to existing organizations, as collaboration often leads to richer learning experiences. Also, always keep an open mind — learning is a lifelong journey that can take many unexpected paths!
Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Eva. We wish you all the best in your new adventure and hope to see the same passion and dedication that you’ve brought here in Schwandorf!
Eva Bräuer: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure, and I look forward to staying connected with the KEB community in the future. Here’s to another 50 years of impactful educational experiences!