View Session descriptions below!

Friday, January 11, 2019

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Click time slot to view breakout sessions:

1:00 – 2:00 PM

2:30 – 3:30 PM 

4:00 – 5:00 PM

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FRIDAY JANUARY 11 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Steve Botsford

Flipped Catechesis: What Every Catechist Needs to Know

“Flipping the classroom” is an educational approach that reverses the traditional approach to education. Advantages include the students become familiar with lesson content at home before the lesson begins and you have the opportunity to review responses and adapt session content, making more of session time. Come and learn how to flip catechesis in three steps.

Stephanie Clouatre Davis

Anxiety and the Ignatian Way 

Are the young people in your life more and more burdened by anxiety? The rich and five hundred year old practices of St. Ignatius of Loyola provide wisdom and insight into the modern rise of anxiety in teens, young adults, and (maybe) adults. Join Stephanie as she provides simple practices utilizing Ignatius’ Examen and Discernment Process as a resource for teens and young adults.  With 21 years with teens and young adults in formation, join Stephanie as she explores anxiety and St. Ignatius.

Deacon Martin Gutierrez

Catholic Church and Immigration: Myths and Facts

The presentation provides a look at the Church’s position on immigration.  It covers some of the most common myths and provides facts. This controversial and emotional topic is covered with a sense of humor and common sense.  It relies on immigrants personal stories, including the presenter’s, to shed the light on the need for comprehensive immigration reform that is fair, humane and just.



Mary Lou McCall

From Darkness Into Light  

I will share the path to healing hope which my family experienced when substance abuse ravaged our lives  The agony of the crucifixion and the pain wrought by active addiction are parallel journeys intimately embedded in the mystery of the Cross where victory over sin has been claimed for eternity.  Through the explosion of graces poured forth from the sacramental life of the Church, my oldest son has been in long-term recovery (opiate/heroin addiction) and is a Catholic missionary in Liberia.

Dr. Tom Ryan

Faith Formation in the Key of Beauty  

Catholicism emphasize the true and the good and rightly promotes knowledge and action. In contrast, it too often neglects beauty. Yet beauty is a theme that Popes Benedict and Francis regularly return to, and it can be a persuasive part of faith formation. This multi-media presentation highlights at a popular level important developments in the theology of beauty and their implications for faith formation, and it does so by drawing on the likes of von Balthasar, U.S. Hispanic theologians, etc.

Paula Hunter

On Being a Woman: Icon of Love  

Usually given as a 4 day retreat, this talk is an introduction to St John Paul II’s writings about the “feminine genius”. Using concrete examples of Trinitarian Love, participants come to see the feminine nature and body as a signpost pointing to the Trinity. Woman has a “unique capacity” for “the other”, and if she accepts and studies her own nature, she sees her whole life has been preparing her for the tasks discussed in this talk.

Cackie Upchurch

Hospitality: Welcoming the Stranger  

Hospitality is not simply a trait claimed by a region of the country. It is one of the very clear virtues found in the lives of disciples. We’ll explore what God’s Word has to say about the topic, and consider where we are challenged most to become more welcoming and generous. Let’s generate some practical ways to create communities of welcome and hospitality that are worthy of followers of Christ.

Dr. Melanie Verges

Connecting Hearts & Hands: Classroom Practices for Catechists  

Ministry requires both a heart full of faith and hands ready to work!  Often the catechist is faced with challenges in the classroom. The purpose of this session is to discuss how to manage an engaged classroom to increase rigor and relevance for all students. Successful classroom practice and pedagogy from the Catholic School World will be shared.  Come with great ideas and challenges!

Click here to view the handouts from Dr. Verges’ presentation.

Craig Colson

Developing a Common Vision And Carrying it Out  

Every organization needs to have a common vision and mission. Developing this Mission is key to the success of any parish and organization. It’s crucial that everyone is on board and moving towards the common vision and goals. This workshop will explore how to come up with the vision as well as how to implement it in the parish setting.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 11 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Rev. Fr. Anthony Bozeman

Making the Church A Gumbo

Answering the Call given to us first at Baptism and again by our Holy Father Pope Francis to share the “Good News” of our universal sisterhood and brotherhood. The Catholic Church is not a “melting pot”, but a “gumbo.” This workshop will explore through Sacred Scripture (Mk 16:14-20) and discussion the Church’s call to live this out concept through evangelization. If we are authentically Catholic, then we must use our giftedness and demonstrate our oneness.

Bob Burnham, OFS

Becoming a Peacemaker

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena worked for peace, reconciliation, and unity. During the 5th Crusade, St. Francis crossed the battle lines at Diametta, Egypt, to meet the Sultan of Egypt. During the Great Western Schism, St. Catherine worked to restore unity in the Church. But how can we apply the lessons from these medieval saints to our current times? Bob Burnham, OFS, will glean lessons from the lives of these saints and offer practical suggestions for being a peacemaker in our time.

Tom Costanza

The Catholic Church, Criminal Justice and Prison Ministry

Trace the history of the US Bishop and Papal teachings on criminal justice reform and restorative justice. Focus will be on the recent reforms in the Louisiana criminal justice system and how it impacts families. With Louisiana having the highest incarceration rate and the impact this has on families and poverty this topic holds current relevance.

Dr. Raul Escarpio

Knowing is Half the Battle: Recognizing Possible Student Delays

We all need to reminded daily that while we were all created in Godls image, not all of us learn the same way. This session will help attendees gain a basic knowledge of what to look for when a child might be delayed or at-risk for developing a disability by examining the five domains of child development. Attendees will also gain knowledge on how to address those delays in their classrooms or parishes through research-based strategies and where to locate resources to address these needs.

Leeanna Holmes</b>

Who Is My Neighbor?

Expand your worldview and the power of hope and mercy by developing an intimate connection with the poorest of the poor in the global church. Hear the stories of specific brothers and sisters in Christ and be inspired to bring their testimonies to your religious education program or ministry. Also learn simple, tangible ways to make a difference even the youngest disciple can understand.

D.J. Hueneman

Teaching Theology of the Body at the Elementary Level

As the Training and Development Coordinator at Ruah Woods Theology of the Body Center in Cincinnati, OH I often get questions as to why teachers should teach Theology of the Body (TOB) at the elementary level. TOB can and should be taught from Kindergarten –  8th grade. I aim to help teachers to begin this life changing teaching of St. JPII at the elementary level. This training involves a background into TOB and shaking some common misconceptions (ie. TOB is more about sexual ethics than identity.)

Charleen Katra

Roller Coasters and Brussel Sprouts

Come learn the answer to that question and much more! The right sensory diet can calm and capture a learner’s attention. There are a variety of sensory items that you can successfully incorporate into any catechetical setting, beginning with your next one. This session will prepare you to go forth to bless the diverse learners you teach tomorrow.

Craig Colson

Does Our Liturgy Welcome All?

How do we welcome the stranger in our midst? It’s a common statistic that Hospitality and welcoming are the things that will make someone come back to our parish and become an active member of our parish. This workshop will explore tangible ways that we can make our parishes more welcoming to the stranger and all who enter.

John Angotti

“Why, O Lord?”: Singing through Our Pain and Grief

John Angotti shares his own personal stories and those of others he has encountered as a music missionary to explore how sacred music can bring us through moments of grief and pain to a place of healing and peace. Discover ways to sing and remain faith-filled through your own times of loss and pain. What skills will they learn or how will their understanding of healing and/or reconciliation be increased: Discover ways to sing and remain faith-filled through your own times of loss and pain.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 11 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Stephanie Clouatre Davis

Getting Real with Retreats

Our church is drenched in ritual, shouldn’t our retreats be as well? Are you tired of retreats with young people bored in their seats? Come learn how to make your retreat ministry not only actively engaging but an encounter with Jesus Christ. With more than 21 years of retreat ministry and hundreds of retreats with teens and children in Catholic High School, Parish Sacramental prep and Vacation Bible School, join Stephanie as she explores how to make retreat ministry MOVING.

Tom Costanza

Sacraments and the Social Mission of the Church

This presentation will reflect on the USCCB Document Sacraments and the Social Mission of the Church. This will hopefully aide catechists with the integration of the sacraments with the social mission as they work in school, parishes and universities. Often times the Social Mission of the Church is disconnected unnecessarily from the Sacraments. Particular attention on how the Eucharist informs all our work to “bring her to the fullness of charity.”

Becky Eldredge

The Gift of the Inner Chapel

We carry a chapel within us — a sacred space, where God dwells. The gift of this inner chapel is that we are never alone: God is always with us and goes where we go.  It is in this space we learn the promises of God so that we can share the good news of these promises with the world.  Becky Eldredge, an Ignatian trained spiritual director, will offer ways to visit your inner chapel daily – amidst the busyness – to harness the fuel and inspiration to go forth and spread the good news!  

Dr. Tracey Lamont

Engaging Youth and Young Adults as Missionary Disciples

The members of the National Dialogue, an initiative committed energizing and unifying Church to engage youth and young adults as missionary disciples, created a method of engaging the young church by training and facilitating dialogue sessions with, engaged and disaffiliated youth, young adults and parents. This breakout session provides a brief overview of the recent Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment then offers resources and best practices from the National Dialogue and experiences in ministry and religious education to encourage, empower, and prepare parishes and schools to accompany youth and young adults through their spiritual journeys.

Marthamaria Morales

Becoming One Church

Learn how to celebrate the beauties of our one universal church.

This workshop will give concrete ways to build bridges among our brothers and sisters in the Anglo and Hispanic cultures.

D.J. Hueneman

Raising Pure Teens in a Pornographic Culture

This presentation aims to give parents practical steps to help their children avoid the plague of pornography. It will discuss harms of pornography, how pornography impacts the adolescent brain, how to talk about sexual desire from a catholic perspective, and how to set up practical safeguards on various Internet devices.

Paul Sanfrancesco

#creatingsaintsonline

People today utilize technology in many of their free time activities.  The business world has fully embraced technology and all the benefits it has to offer.  So how can you best incorporate technology in the catechist environment to better prepare all for the future?  #creatingsaintsonline In this presentation, we will discuss technology and where it could be used within your ministry.

Dr. Raul Escarpio

All Are Welcome: Affirming the Dignity of Individuals with Disabilities in the Sacramental Life

With the USCCB’s recent revision of the “Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities,” our Catholic Church is renewing its commitment to the full participation of all of the Body of Christ. This session will review these guidelines as well as people with disabilities’ participation in certain sacraments. Suggestions for dioceses and pastors will also be discussed including the use of research-based strategies for the inclusion of all in the sacramental life.

James Wahl

Musical Liturgy for the Whole Child: More Than Hand Motions

The faith of young children is formed and expressed with the whole body. This is recognized in the Directory for Masses With Children. This workshop will explore music and strategies that align with the development of children’s motor, cognitive, emotional and social skills, enabling them to more fully enter into the liturgy.