Year after year, our keynote addresses provide an opportunity for GO! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference participants to be encouraged and gain wisdom they can apply to their varied ministries within the Church.
Get to know the topics for the 2024 Conference keynotes and the amazing faith formation leaders who will deliver them:
Mike Patin
Friday, January 12, 2024
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Joy to the World – Let’s GO!
About “Joy to the World – Let’s GO!”
The challenges of ministry in recent times can be disheartening. The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced questions and doubt, yet it was precisely there that Jesus appeared, walking with them.
How and where do we encounter the One who makes our “hearts burn within us” today?
How do we keep our enthusiasm and share the joy of the Good News in this day and age?
About Mike
Mike Patin uses energy, humor and stories to affirm God’s goodness and presence among us while inviting others (and himself) to take the “next step” in our journey with God.
Mike has worked in ministry settings since 1984, first as a high school teacher and coach, and then in diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since 2003, he has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist.”
Throughout his ministry, Mike has been privileged to speak to groups ranging from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken at parish missions, conferences, national events, rallies, retreats, leadership institutes, and in-services, addressing youth, adults, families, clergy, seminarians, school faculties, businesses, athletic teams and hospital staffs.
Mike has published two books: A Standing Invitation, and This Was Not in the Brochure: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry.
In 2006, he received the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award.
Mike lives in Lafayette, LA.
Learn more about Mike at mikepatin.com
ValLimar Jansen
Saturday, January 13, 2024
9:45 – 10:45 AM
Encounter Jesus: Light and Hope
About “Encounter Jesus: Light and Hope”
In the midst of chaos and despair, how can we maintain our faith and be a source of hope for others?
Join ValLimar Jansen as she delves into the transformative power of encountering Jesus, not just in times of peace and tranquility, but also amidst the storms and fires of life.
An encounter with Jesus sends us forth to bring light to the shadows and hope to the hopeless. Through her captivating blend of storytelling, Scripture proclamation, music, prayer, and reflection, Jansen will guide you on a journey of spiritual renewal.
About ValLimar
ValLimar Jansen has performed and toured professionally throughout the United States, Canada, the UK, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Singapore and China. She played the role of Beneatha with the Broadway touring cast, in the European premier of Raisin. She went on to co-author a one-woman musical about the life of Ethel Waters that received a special commendation from the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C. She recently received the Kennedy Center Medallion for Excellence in Educational Theatre. In February 2023, ValLimar performed in concert, as a headliner, at iconic Carnegie Hall, in New York City. She dedicated her performance to the six Black Catholics on the journey to sainthood. Fronting a 250-voice choir, ValLimar received the night’s only standing ovation for her performance.
With over 120 unique performances annually, ValLimar has developed her signature blend of dramatic art, music, movement, prayer and inspirational exhortation. Her biggest international audiences were at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland and then in Panama City, Panama. At the Loreto/Angora International Papal Event (In Italy) ValLimar and her husband, Frank Jansen, performed for over 300,000 people and the event was broadcast on Italian television, EWTN and across the world! ValLimar’s passion is to combine her faith & spirituality with her love of theatre and music. She draws on her undergraduate (CSUSB) and graduate (UCSB) degrees in the Arts. Presently, she shifted her focus to her 5-year goal, to complete a MDiv, in Theology and a DMin in preaching.
Learn more about ValLimar at vallimar.com
Dr. Joe Paprocki
Saturday, January 13, 2024
3:00 – 4:00 PM
The Good News in Three Words
About “The Good News in Three Words”
To proclaim the “Good News,” it helps if we can explain what is so “good” about it!
In this keynote, Joe Paprocki, DMin, will summarize the Good News in three words and will identify practical ways to share the authentic joy of the Gospel.
About Joe
Joe Paprocki, D.Min., is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts. Joe has more than 40 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 150 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of over 20 books, including the best sellers The Catechist’s Toolbox and A Well-Built Faith, as well as A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, Living the Sacraments, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe also served as the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader.
Learn more about Joe and his catechetical experiences at catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com
