Colin and Aimee MacIver | How Catholic Social Teaching Connects  (Hall A)

The developed teaching of the Catholic Faith flows from the Gospel and offers a powerful and intelligible vision to our youth. It flows from Jesus himself. It grows in awe and wonder at creation into the mystery and dignity of human life. It is the stuff of the Kingdom of God and is right at the heart of Jesus' teaching, especially his preaching in the Sermon on the Mount.

Dr. Mark Ginter | Sacramental Bliss: How the “Happiness” Question and Research Can
Evangelize to the Celebration of the Christian Mystery  (Hall C)

"Do you want to be happy?" Although this is an ancient question, it has only recently resurfaced in theological and catechetical as well as social scientific literature. This presentation will begin with a successful evangelization back to the sacramental life of the Church by a young, adult non-practicing Catholic artist. Then, it will briefly explore an amazing correspondence between the social scientific research and Catholic doctrine on human participation in God's eternal happiness.

Dr. Thomas Neal | Soul Care in a Weary World  (Lakeview Room)

Leaders in ministry find themselves tested in these challenging times filled with uncertainty, stress and strife. As in every age, the key to flourishing in any ministry is keeping your life grounded in God and attending to the basic features of holistic and balanced living. Dr. Tom will explore how ancient wisdom from our Catholic spiritual tradition offers rich resources for not just surviving but thriving amid the storms of our times. Let Jesus make all things new in your life. Come and see!

Dr. Joseph White | What is the Kerygma, and What Difference Does it Make?  (Meeting Room 1)

Wondering how to help learners and their families understand why faith formation is so important? Want to instill learners with a desire to grow closer to Christ and his Church? The Directory for Catechesis places kerygma, the essential core of the Gospel message, front and center in our catechesis. In this session, we'll explore the kerygma and discuss practical ways to share it with our learners.

Dr. Pamela Patnode | Leisure? Sabbath Rest? What’s That?  (Meeting Room 2)

Have you ever arrived at Monday morning feeling exhausted - like you needed a weekend? Joseph Pieper states that a disintegration of "leisure" in the traditional sense will "have a clear historical consequence; namely, the totalitarian work state." Moreover, Jewish rabbi Abraham Heschel says that "All our life should be a pilgrimage to the seventh day." How do we practice true leisure while entering into the Sabbath and the Mass as the source and summit of our life? This talk explains how.

Fr. Robert Cooper | In Search of New Life   (Meeting Room 3)

Wouldn't it be great to have God do a new thing in our life this day? Wouldn't it be great to leave this place a new person? Wouldn't it be great to go home to a much improved marriage, a much improved family, to get up tomorrow morning and fulfill a work or ministry that brings out the best in you? God is in the business of making all things new! He does it by giving us three things - a new confidence, a new perspective, and a new vision.

Sr. Dorothy Trosclair, OP | Called to Hope Through Spiritual Direction  (Meeting Room 4)

The goal of all catechesis is to lead one into communion with God, yet many feel at a loss to discern God's presence and action in their life. This presentation will engage participants in a deeper understanding of spiritual direction and how it can provide hope in a chaotic world. Spiritual Directors help people to pay attention to God's movement in their lives, to respond to God's movement, to grow in intimacy with God and to live in hope out of the consequences of that relationship.

Stephen Binz | Finding New Life in the Old Testament  (Meeting Room 5)

If you have studied the gospels and letters of the New Testament but hesitate to enter the Old Testament, you are not alone. Many Christians fear the many challenges posed by the Hebrew Scriptures, with its strange laws, its violent revenge, and ancient practices. Yet, this was the Bible of Jesus and an essential part of the Christian faith. It is the foundation of covenant, land, sacrifice, priesthood, and prophecy that was completed in Jesus the Messiah.

Stephanie Clouatre Davis | Praying Through Pain  (Meeting Room 6)

Praying through pain very often calls for a new approach. When our usual routine doesn't cut it, praying with Scripture is one way of bringing our feelings to prayer.  The Bible is replete with stories of people who have experienced emotions. Recognizing the emotions of Jeremiah, or Paul, or a psalmist can help us understand our own feelings, and listen to what God is saying to us. Drawing from Ignatian Spirituality, Stephanie Clouatre Davis will offer various forms of prayer.

Jewell Bayhi | A Grieving Child is Not a Little Grown Up  (Hall A)

How do you respond to a grieving child? Children of all ages, suffer from the death of a parent, a sibling, a grandparent, from a divorce or a move. All of these affect children differently. How do we help them? Have you suffered grief in your own life? The pain, anxiety and depression are real. Sometimes a child's pain is more than ours and stuffed deep inside. Everyone needs ideas to help grieving children to find peace, hope and healing.

Ron Courtade | Is Your Ministry Forming CUAL* Teens and Adults?” [*Pronounced COOL]  (Hall C)

This session is an explanation of a specific pedagogy that has been personally implemented for over 10 years to teach theology on the Catholic high school level. A CUAL person is: A person who admits that he/she is Catholic; A person who  sincerely seeks to Understand the Catholic faith; A person who freely, voluntarily, and willingly Accepts what the Church teaches regarding faith and morals; and A person who freely and passionately Lives his/her Catholic faith without apology, equivocation, or reservation.

Richard Fischer | Keeping Our Young Adolescents Engaged in Our Faith  (Lakeview Room)

Our youth are leaving the Church earlier than ever. Guidance will be given on how we can engage them more in the classroom as well as with building their relationship with the Lord. Come share and learn from others on how they have reinvigorated our beautiful faith with our children!

Jose Hernandez - Aguirre | The Divine Pedagogy and the Catechetical Process  (Meeting Room 1)

As people of Faith and more importantly as Catechist, two realities hold true - the "what" and the "how:" What do we want our children to know about our faith and how do we communicate it?  We will discuss how we can reach others through Divine Pedagogy; the gradual and relational way God teaches us to know him, and how the Catechetical process helps us to know sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and review Dr. Joseph White’s book, “The Way God Teaches." Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor

Deacon Richard Eason | Spiritual Excellence- The Path to Happiness, Holiness and Heaven  (Meeting Room 2) 

Many souls in our world today are struggling with all kinds of issues such as doubts in our faith, temptation and sin, fear stress and worry, suffering, anger and forgiveness. These challenges are robbing us of our joy and peace in life. We can't seem to find a remedy for them. The remedy is learning to pursue St. Paul's message of Spiritual Excellence. The presentation addresses these issues, the remedies for them and provides an individual spiritual plan. This title has been published by EWTN and Sophia Press.

Arthine Powers | Use What Ya' Got - To Get Them In The Know!  (Meeting Room 3)

There are many resources that are available for catechists to use. This session will show you how to incorporate them while encouraging parents and families to learn together. More and more, intergenerational catechesis is important and necessary for handing on the faith.

Dr. Todd Amick | Educating the Heart and Mind: Renewal of the Whole Person (Meeting Room 4 )

First-generation college students experience challenges that most privileged students and administrators are not even aware of. We will discuss the major challenges they face and see how a Catholic approach to education (including the virtues) can provide the means to student-growth and success.

Kevin Fitzpatrick | All Things New through Fratelli Tutti: Accompaniment and Synodality  (Meeting Room 5 )

The workshop will use the Book of Tobit as a model of accompaniment to explore what Pope Francis is asking of us through his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. The workshop will attempt to answer such as questions as: Whom do we need to accompany? How do we continue the spirit of synodality? What does it mean to reach out to those on the margins? Who do we consider to be those on the margins? The workshop will conclude by drawing attention to "Accompaniment" and "Walking With Moms in Need."

Vicki McGuinness | Exploring Faith Through Art  (Meeting Room 6)

The arts have long been an expressive part of Christian faith & can be used as a joyful way to express faith & love to children of all ages & abilities. As an artist & Catholic school teacher, Vicki McGuinness explores how faith is deepened by incorporating Catholic scripture & tradition into a variety of multi-modal art forms, including the performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, music & film, to show how Catholic children can tap into their own artistic talents to encounter God's presence.

Fr. Andrew Gutierrez | Tried and Tempted: Not for Perfect Catholics  (Hall A)

If you're filled with great peace; God speaks to you everyday; your marriage or dating relationship is amazing; you are fulfilled by your job; your family is beautiful and perfect; you have great confidence in the direction your life is heading ... then this breakout session is NOT for you. If you are exhausted, overworked, falling into temptation constantly, wondering where God is, unfulfilled in your relationships, and ready to take an honest examination of your life, then let's talk TODAY.

Walter Bonam | “Behold, I Make All Things New!” … But What About the Old Wineskins?  (Hall C)

Continuity vs. change: a tension as old as Christianity itself. Vatican II acknowledged the need for the Church to heed and respond to the signs of the times, This session will explore questions such as: What are the signs of our times that challenge us to adapt our thinking and our practices, perhaps even reconsidering some things we have come to regard as sacrosanct? What are the "hot-button" issues confronting the Church today? How might such current tensions be resolved?

Dr. Joseph White | Accompanying Those Who Accompany Others:
What the New Directory for Catechesis Says About Formation of Catechists  (Lakeview Room)

The New Directory for Catechesis provides fresh insights and guidance for those who form catechists. This session will examine what the new directory says about catechist formation and reflect on how catechetical leaders can make this vision a reality.

Stephanie Clouatre Davis  |  Suffering with Young People  (Meeting Room 1)

Young people experience various forms of pain and suffering as they mature. Saint Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises provide prayers and practices that assist young people in becoming aware that God accompanies them through their own trials. Recognizing God's presence comforts and encourages young people through school, friendship, relationship, developmental, and family struggles. Join Stephanie Clouatre Davis in translating these more than 500-year-old practices into the modern needs of young people.

Fran Lavelle | Making All Things New: The Synodal Way  (Meeting Room 2)

In the midst of divisive political rhetoric and lingering issues stemming from the pandemic the Church has an opportunity to unify God's people and promote healing in our broken world. Despite our challenges, we are promised that God will make all things new. With that hope and desire for unity we will look at the feedback from the Synod on Synodality and look at how we can find our back to one another, firmly united in the four marks of the Church -- One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

Marcos Villalba | Orando Con La Biblia  (Meeting Room 3)

La Biblia puede ser abrumadora si no sabes lo que estas haciendo. Este taller lo ayudar a comprender los conceptos principales de las Escrituras y le brindar herramientas practicas para usar las Escrituras en su oracion diaria.

Brother Loughlan Sofield, ST |  Becoming a Life-Giving Post-Pandemic Church  (Meeting Room 4)

We have all suffered through this pandemic for almost three years. During that time, we have experienced profound losses, both as individuals and as a Church. As death/resurrection people we are challenged to be life-giving.  This presentation will address ways of dealing with the losses that we have experienced individually and as a community. We will explore positive, concrete ways as individuals and parishes to move through the losses into a fuller life.

Betty-Ann Hickey  |  Sacramental Theology and The Lion King  (Meeting Room 5)

Pope Francis has said that "modem man has become illiterate, no longer able to read symbols". Using the ritual imagery in "The Lion King" movie we will explore how to learn to speak the language of symbol and ritual and grow in a deeper understanding of Liturgy and the sacraments.

Charlotte Phillips  |  Making Prayer Possible: How to Create a Daily Prayer Practice  (Meeting Room 6)

Do you long to spend time in daily prayer but don't know where to begin? Do you desire to deepen your relationship with God but don't have time to spend each day in prayer? Even in our busyness, there is a way to make time for God in prayer every day! During this workshop you will learn Ignatian prayer tools to help you carve out time in the busyness of daily life to spend time with God in prayer. Come be reminded that God is ready and waiting to meet you where you are. Daily prayer is possible!

Colleen Maher Bond  |  Teaching Liturgical Music In Catholic Schools  (Hall A)

The session presents suggestions to music teachers who lead music a Catholic school Masses. Participants will review music that is efficiently taught under the time constraints of typical school schedules. Suggestions for optimum child participation are a primary focus of this session.

Kyle Melancon  | Lukewarm Teens and the Holy Spirit: Keys to Revitalizing Confirmation Preparation  (Hall C)

One of the most challenging areas of "mission territory" in youth ministry may very well be preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. Many teens are reluctant to engage in the process and may even be "forced" to be there. While this could be seen as a cause for despair, we can also view it as a great opportunity for evangelization. This session offers practical and useful ways that your parish Confirmation program can become an opportunity for conversion and discipleship.

Tammy Vidrine |  Renewing the Heart of the Parish Through Ignatian Spirituality  (Lakeview Room)

The presentation engages participants in the practice of ignatian spirituality. It will offer a short review of the life of Ignatius and his search to see the glory of God in all things. Included will be practical ways to lead parishioners in renewing their hearts through prayer, reflection, meditation, and imaginative contemplation, and for the busy parishioner, who has no time for retreats, how the Busy Person's Retreat model can develop prayerful habits in renewing the heart.

Carrie Lambert  |  Finding God in All Things Through Visio Divina  (Meeting Room 1)

Works of art speak to us and viewing these works while praying scriptures that reflect the Holy Spirit's message through that work of art, is beautiful, peaceful, enlightening, and expands the way we "see" God and his message. Through pieces of art, we truly can "find God in all things," and I will take people through the Visio Divina process and provide them with the tools they need to enable them to go out into the world and engage others through this beautiful prayer process.

Brandi Kilbert |  NFP is Not “Catholic Contraception”  (Meeting Room 2)

This presentation will discuss what NFP is and how fertility awareness has evolved since contraception has become widely used. Discussion on how family dynamics have changed as a result of contraception using Dr. Hilgers' research in his book "Blinders". The focus will be on the rise of the Creighton Fertilitycare System and Napro Technology as the answer to woman's reproductive issues, including infertility and menstrual cycle abnormalities. Also, a practical way to share NFP at the parish level will be discussed.

Vincent Scozzari  |  Catechesis of the Heart: Cor ad Cor Loquitur  (Meeting Room 3)

In his teaching and preaching, Jesus spoke to the very heart of his listeners. He was especially aware of those that the world had discarded; consequently, Jesus sought to "Make Them New" by creating a very real connection and dialogue between hisheart and theirs. Join me in this interactive session where we will seek to identify those individuals/ groups that our parish communities too often ignore and discuss NEW ways of catechesis that allow our hearts to speak with theirs.

Karen Baker | Behold! A Closet Full of Survival Virtues  (Meeting Room 4)

This presentation would be based on a devotional that Our Sunday Visitor will publish in September 2022.  My book, "Faith, Hope and a Sense of Humor," takes a light-hearted yet serious look at the virtues needed to work in Catholic Ministry during "ordinary" and "extraordinary (i.e., COVID)" times. I see the presentation as geared to those who work in administration in parishes and schools, a dose of encouragement for the challenges we all face.

Megan Cottam  |  Renewing Mentorship in the Church: Choosing, Coaching, and Celebrating Godparents 
(Meeting Room 5)

Are your parents going through the motions and choosing nominally Catholic godparents? Do parents come with ill-informed choices already made, causing family conflict? Learn how to educate your entire parish community to value and support the life-long role of the godparent in our Church. We will explore baptismal preparation, post-baptismal community gatherings and opportunities, liturgical blessings, and concrete ways to coach and honor godparents throughout the formative life of the child.

Becky Clements | The Devil Ain’t Got No Clay  (Meeting Room 6)

What were the great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah trying to teach us about the love of God by using a metaphor of the Potter and the clay? We’ll look at the answer to this question through the eyes of St. John Paul II.  This session will use Isaiah 64:7 and Jeremiah 18:3-6 as an image for presenting parts 1 & 2 of the tryptic of the Theology of the Body: Christ Appeals to the Beginning and Christ Appeals to the Human Heart.