Stephen Petrunak

Stephen Petrunak

An instrumentalist, recording artist, music director and businessman is headlining the 10th annual diocesan Music Ministry Retreat and Workshop, Friday evening and Saturday, Feb. 5-6, at Turtleback Conference Center, Rice Lake.

Stephen Petrunak, director of music at St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, leads workshops on musicianship, liturgical guitar, conflict resolution and communication.

Petrunek is also a studio musician with several recordings and guitar instructor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit. He has released a series of liturgical guitar method books and is an accomplished choral conductor.

A former vice president of administration at Kurtz Steel Company, Petrunak also has a business degree and experience in group leadership, teamwork, collaboration, conflict resolution, crisis management and strategic corporate planning.

The 10th annual conference is titled “Building Relationships: with God, with each other, with ourselves.” Sessions will focus on prayer and the call to serve, functioning together effectively, conflict resolution and avoiding pitfalls of poor communication.

“Mr. Petrunak offers us the wonderful qualities of both impeccable musicianship and a true understanding of the nuts and bolts behind effective music ministry at the parish level,” said Paul Birch, director of the diocesan Office of Worship.

Cost is $35 per day, or $40 per day after Jan. 24. Registration after Feb. 1 does not include meals.

For more information about the conference or accommodations, call Kathy Turba, 715-523-0238.

In case of inclement weather, call 715-392-2937 to check the status of the conference.