Breakout Sessions | Friday, January 10, 2020

Click on a session’s title to read its description

Breakout Session Descriptions

1:00 – 2:00 PM

101 Stephen Binz
The Double Challenge of Authentic Discipleship

Jesus first called his disciples to come and see, to develop an intimate relationship with him. Then he called them to go and witness, to be missionary disciples for others. The Scriptures, the saints, and Catholic social teaching offer us inspiring examples of this challenging privilege of being both contemplatives and activists for Jesus Christ in the world today. Learn how to better live as authentic disciples and how to model discipleship for the next generation.

102 Dr. Ansel Augustine
Ministry To and From the Peripheries

Evangelization calls us to make a difference in the world. Our Church leadership continues to challenge us to go out into the world and serve those who are forgotten and ignored. It is in those spaces that we encounter Christ. This presentation will explore the implications of this radical call for our ministry.

103 Paul George
Being Empowered to Fulfill God’s Mission

The call to ministry, to serve, can be taxing. How can we keep the fire going? Paul George will present and answer the following questions:
-What is the call to ministry, to serve, look like?
-How do we stay renewed and alive in our ministry?
-How can we live empowered to fulfill our calling?

104 Daniel Lacourrege
The People of God (Are Crazy):  A Practical Approach to Ministry

This title comes from a favorite saying of an old priest friend. After a long day ministering (there were never any short days), he would lean back in his chair, fix his gaze on me and groan, “The People of God! They’re crazy, brother.” What this simple theological claim affirmed for me was that ministry is not something that we do: it is something that we are. This presentation will provide practical approaches to Accompaniment, Being Present & Practicing Contrition in all areas of ministry.

105 Dr. Joseph White
Family: The Missing Piece in Catechesis

Parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith, but it’s often a challenge to get parents and families involved in parish and school faith formation. This session, presented by a child and family psychologist and former diocesan family life director, will discuss tested and effective ways to partner with parents and families and evangelize the domestic church.

106 Maureen Pratt
The Vocation of Suffering

For those who live with chronic illness or chronic pain, life can be very difficult and, at times, isolating. But within physical challenges are great opportunities for joy, faith, fellowship, and service. Yes, within suffering, we can discern a wonderful vocation – if we are open and willing to embrace it. How? Through the examples of saints, key Church documents, and the witness of everyday people finding purpose in suffering, this workshop will provide practical and prayerful encouragement.

107 Victoria Walter & Sr. Marirose Rudek
Called for Times Such as This

God calls us to share the Gospel with all nations and uphold the dignity of each person. Victoria Walter will present her personal experiences living in a country where Christians face daily persecutions. Sister Marirose Rudek will discuss how and why we can talk to those in formation (youth and adults) about facing persecution as Christians. We will discuss and share practical ways of learning what it means to live the truth of Gospel in our world today.

108 Tina Balentine
The Vocation of Chaplaincy

When someone hears the word “Chaplain” they may think of a eucharistic minister who brings communion to those in the hospital or nursing home, or someone who visits prisioners, or even a minister who is in the military serving the troops. While all of these are true, the vocation and profession of chaplaincy is so much more. As a professional chaplain serving at two hospitals (NO) and board certified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, I will speak of the vocation of chaplaincy.

109 Craig Colson
Finding Balance in Music Ministry

Come discover how we can respect, honor, and celebrate the traditional music of our Catholic faith, and yet blend in contemporary music to have a well-rounded music ministry that engages the community in full, active, and conscious participation.

2:30 – 3:30 PM

201 John Braham
Letting the Master Teach You

What made Jesus the master teacher and why was he referred to as master by theologians, mystics and his contemporaries? We will look at the various teaching techniques and methods of Jesus and see why his revolutionary methods were both controversial and effective. This presentation will identify these methods and discuss ways of implementing these techniques in our own programs to help us to become master teachers as well.

202 John Collins
Just What Is “Catholic Identity”?

We hear so much about “Catholic Identity,” but what does it mean? Catholic Identity is about what we do that makes us who we are…Catholics. It’s not just knowledge of the Catholic faith, but a range of lived experiences of our Catholic faith and the witness of others. Do our students have Catholic Identity? How do I bring this dimension into the program and classroom? John will share some ideas and suggestions for infusing Catholic Identity into your faith formation classroom and program.

203 Ron Courtade
A Look at Current Issues and Events in Light of Catholic Social Teaching

In late 2019, the USCCB will be publishing their latest document on the political responsibility of Catholics, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” ahead of 2020 elections. I would like to present my titled presentation through this lens, and focus on the many changes surely to be included in the new document since 2016, such as: death penalty – Pope Francis’ change in CCC; Religious liberty and conscience protection issues; immigration; and human life issues, abortion and euthanasia

204 Becky Eldredge
Seeing God’s Vision in the Busyness: Our Response

With the busyness of everyday, how do we make time to meet God in the quiet and see God’s vision? How do we then intentionally follow God’s call? Drawing on her intimate knowledge of the discernment wisdom of St Ignatius and 20 years of accompanying people, Becky offers the framework to push past the busyness and connect intimately with Jesus Christ. Leave with a new set of contemplative prayer tools to quiet your heart and to discern God’s vision for your life and to boldly take action.

205 Paul George
Helping People Encounter God

What does conversion look like? Conversion begins and continues through the process of thinking and rethinking about life. Paul George will talk through the process of conversion by answering the following questions:
– What are the components and benchmarks of conversion?
– How do we walk with people both individually in discipleship and as a parish community?
– How can we be strategic in inspiring conversion and helping people encounter Christ in our ministries?

206 Lucas Pollice
The Mystery of Mystagogy: How to do Effective Post-Baptismal Catechesis in RCIA

Mystagogy is not just an “add on” to the RCIA process, but one of the most crucial periods in the process. This breakout will discuss the vision for the period of Mystagogy within the whole of the RCIA process and how we can practically and effectively accompany our neophytes after Easter to become life-long intentional disciples in our parishes.

207 Roy Petitfils
Helping Hurting Teens

As the emotional and mental health issues of our students increase, we find that the knowledge, tools, and practices are not fully meeting the complex needs of our students and their families. In this keynote you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the youth mental health epidemic and how we as ministers can evolve to play a unique role in helping young people.

208 Tammy Vidrine
Authentic Discipleship: Engaging Young Adults

The presentation will explore ways to engage today’s digital aged young adults in the mission of the Church. It will address the status of young adults in the Church as laid out in Christus Vivit, vocation as a call to holiness in whatever state of life, the concerns of social media influence, and how to engage passionate young adults in the direction of the mission of the Church. I will present practical ideas based on my experiences to get more young adults (married or single) connected.

209 James Wahl
Reimagining Children’s Music: Enable Children to More Fully Enter the Paschal Mystery

The Directory for Masses with Children states that “the Church baptizes children and therefore, relying on the gifts conferred by this sacrament, it must be concerned that once baptized they grow in communion with Christ and each other” (DMC 8). This workshop explores strategies that enable liturgical musicians and catechists to use a variety of musical skills and diverse repertoire for children’s formation and liturgies.

4:00 – 5:00 PM

301 Walter Bonam
Opening Wide Our Hearts and Our Eyes to the Ongoing Scourge of Racism

Our Hebrew ancestors in faith regarded the heart as the very core of the human person, and our nation’s bishops built upon that spiritual anthropology in writing “Open Wide Our Hearts,” their recent pastoral letter on racism. Only our willingness to open our hearts – and our eyes – will enable us to see and confront the ugly reality of racism in our society and even in our Church. This presentation will explore the connection between the eye and the heart, which is crucial for combating racism.

302 Leeanna Holmes
No More Service Projects-Create an Encounter with Christ

Change the thought process from service projects to service passions. Create a culture of meaningful service learning that will inspire your youth to be be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Learn the tools and strategies necessary to engage your youth in a way to experience Christ in those they serve locally and globally.

303 Sarah DeMarais & Dr. Tom Ryan
Formation in Catholic Social Teaching for Global Solidarity

Religious sisters are leaders implementing Catholic Social Teaching. Educators can highlight their stories to teach how CST is lived out in creative and inspiring ways around the world. This presentation draws on our experience in international education to share the work of sisters and to offer resources in a range of media that educators can use for formation in CST. Doing so imbues a global vision and invites us to the solidarity necessary for confronting today’s complex social challenges.

304 Dr. Tom Neal
Discovering the Call to Sanctity in the Home

Holiness is often seen as remote from the concerns of everyday life, as saints are seemingly aloof from the worldly pursuits and interests that are substance of most people’s daily lives. Combining insights from Familaris consortio, Amoris Laetitia and Gaudete et Exultate, we will explore the beauty and power of the ordinary means of grace found especially in the messy and marvelous demands of family life, and reflect on how prayer, work, community, suffering and vocational discernment all fit.

305 Deacon Michael Whitehouse
Which Vocation is the Most Important?

Is one vocation in the life of the Church more important than all the rest? Absolutely, and it is the foundation of every other vocation. The most important vocation is the one we receive in baptism – the call to holiness. God raises us to the top, clothes us in Christ, and makes us sharers in His divine nature! Come, engage in this interactive session exploring “Our Call” – the universal call to holiness – and its practical implications in 2020 for life, work, catechesis, ministry, and play.

306 Maureen Pratt
Families, Faith and Disability

The pressures faced by families where one or more members has a disability are great, and support can be hard to find. Our parishes are the perfect places where families can find spiritual encouragement, nourishment for faith, and tangible resources, such a respite care, faith-based information, and simple, full, loving welcome. This workshop will give ideas for greater understanding of families who have members living with disability, whether children or aging parents and how a parish can help.

307 Kathie Amidei
Entering the World of Family Catechesis!

Have you thought about starting a Family Model or moving into more intentional faith formation involving the family? Do you have some trepidation about what this will take? Do you have questions about the transition? Find encouragement from the Church and research why family catechesis is essential for evangelization! We will share some strategies and practical ideas to help you get started. Join us to explore information and find inspiration if you feel called to more family involvement.

308 Steve Botsford
Reach, Teach, and Preach: 3 Simple Ways to Engage Parents with the Faith

As a catechist, have you ever struggled with getting parents more involved in the faith of their children? If so, this session is for you!  Come and explore three ways to reach, teach and preach the Good News to parents outside of the classroom, as you are making disciples in the classroom! Participants will walk away with three practical and easy to implement ideas for reaching parents.

309 James Wahl
Sitting at the Kids’ Table: Songs and Practices for Young Children at Liturgy

Through song and story, this workshop explores strategies that affirm young children in their baptismal call, forming liturgical practices that encourage full, conscious, and active participation, especially for those who are not yet fully, or recently, initiated. A workshop designed for those who teach young children (three to eight year olds), and for the young at heart as well!