View Session descpritions below!

Saturday, January 12, 2019

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Click time slot to view breakout session:

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

1:30 – 2:30 PM

3:00 – 4:00 PM

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SATURDAY JANUARY 12 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Steve Botsford

3-2-1 Liftoff! Launch Your Environment into a Thematic and Immersive Learning Space

In this session attendees will learn how my parish education program addressed the national decline in enrollment by rebranding and creating an engaging and dynamic facility. Areas addressed include overall immersive environment, mobile classrooms, and integrating technology to enhance family faith, so we all may be one.

Deacon Terrel Broussard

Can You Wear Your Father’s Clothes?

The presentation is designed to seek unity and reconciliation through our personal call to holiness. The topics are: Holiness is the DNA of God the Father, exemplified by His Son and fortified by His Holy Spirit. Holiness is the clothes of our Father. Each of us reflects the diverse creation of God. Human prejudices separate us from God even though they are practiced in Church by Christians. Even when rejected, we wear our Father’s clothes of holiness when we are loving and merciful.

Denise Donahoe

Aging with Grace: Spirituality for the Second Half of Life

Secular culture sees aging as failure.  Our religious tradition, however, invites us to ripen, not wither, as we age.  After witnessing the aging and dying process of her parents, grandparents, and several spiritually alive elders, Denise observed, listened, read, and discovered that aging with grace requires both an attitude of gratitude and relinquishment, which leads to freedom and joy. No matter your age, come learn about the spirituality of aging, “enlightenment in slow motion”.

Deacon Louis Bauer

Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM): The Church’s Response to the Breakdown of the Family Caused by Addiction

The Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) is a parish-based ministry and a proven model on how the Catholic Church has responded to the needs of those who have separated and alienated themselves from the body of Christ because of addiction. This presentation will offer a time-tested and proven model on how those afflicted with addiction as well as their family members can find help, hope, and support through the local Church, to empower them to reconnect with self, loved ones, and God.

Vincent Scozzari*

One Bread, One Body – You Are What You Eat!

The Eucharist, the feast of Christ’s Presence and unifying center for all Christians, enables us to live the faith handed down from the apostles while being intentional disciples of Jesus. This presentation will explore how, in a world of diversity, the Eucharist can make us one body.
*This presentation was originally to be offered by Troy Guy, who is unable to attend the Conference. [as of 1/7/19]

Paula Hunter

Sharing Theology of the Body with Teens and Adults

An introduction to Theology of the Body using concrete examples–a visible model of Trinitarian Gift-of-Self Love — and how the role of male and of female corresponds. Participants SEE themselves and their relationships within this model, and see a new way to live out the total, faithful, free, and fruitful gift of self.  This talk also offers ways to begin this catechesis with teens and adults.

Paul Sanfrancesco

Proclaiming The Joy Using Social Media

Today, everyone is connected by mobile devices and social media but are we using theses power tools for our ministries? This session will provide how to bridge families and the whole parish together with social media. Catechists and administrators will take away ideas and plans implement and teach the faith using these powerful tools. Bring your devices!

Dr. Johan Van Parys

On Becoming the One Body of Christ

In our liturgies we express to the world and impress on one another who we are as Christians. Through our learning efforts we get a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Ultimately, the goal of prayer and catechesis is to mold Christians into the Body of Christ so we may witness to the Gospel in deed and word.

This workshop will look at the important relationship between liturgy, learning and Christian life in the up-building of the Body of Christ.

James Wahl

Forming with Fun: Musical Catechesis for the Young Child

All catechists know that creativity is needed in order to teach the faith to young children. The General Directory for Catechesis states that “adaption to young people is urged, in order to translate into their terms the “message of Jesus with patience and wisdom and without betrayal”. This workshop will explore the ingredients of children’s music that engages and excites children, as they are formed in the pillars of our faith. For those who teach children from preschool through middle school.

SATURDAY JANUARY 12 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM

John Braham

Connecting The Church Parish/School To The Home

What can I do to make my Catechist programs both engaging and effective?  How can I get the parents to buy into the “domestic church” model. DRE’s and Catechists face a two-fold battle in their church programs in keeping the children engaged in faith.  This presentation will look at the various ways of communication from the church parish to the home as well finding effective and reliable ways to help parents engage their children while following up with the weekly lessons of catechism.

Bob Burnham, OFS

Building Bridges

St. Peter Faber, one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus, saw himself as the Good Samaritan. He believed that he was an agent of God’s mercy. During the Protestant Reformation, he wanted to build bridges between the Catholic Church and the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. By examining the life of St. Peter Faber, Bob Burnham, OFS, will offer practical lessons that can help us become bridge-builders, that is, people who reach across divisions and embrace others with love, mercy

Dr. Joshua Brumfield

Unity and Evangelization

Jesus prayed that his disciples may be one as are the Father and the Son so that ” the world may know that you sent me.” Christian disunity is a scandal to the world and weakens Christian witness. This presentation will explore the reasons for this and some avenues for more effective witness through collaboration with other Christians.

Dr. Johan Van Parys

Beauty that Unites

The Catholic Church from its very beginnings has understood and embraced the sacred arts as a powerful tool for the proclamation and the celebration of the faith.

This workshop will start with a brief overview of the role art has played in the life of the church throughout the ages. Based on that we will then explore practical ways in which the arts may assist in the building up of our church in the very diverse and complex world we live in today.

Charleen Katra

Do You (Want To) Have What It Takes?

The ability to include every learner (ADHD, Autism, etc.) in faith formation takes many things; beginning with grace! Luckily, God provides the grace. When persons with disabilities are included in the full life of the Church we experience unity in our diversity. Come learn simple strategies that work to make your catechetical ministry more effective and enjoyable for all learners.

Marthamaria Morales

Go Forth As Global Missionary Disciples

This workshop will offer relevant and concrete ways for youth leaders to enable teens to serve the global church as missionary disciples. Through prayer, learning and action, we will provide opportunities for teens to GO Forth to use their gifts to accompany those most in need in their communities and the world. The workshop will help catechists and teachers help teach how we are all one in the world.

Lucas Pollice

How to Engage Parents in Sacramental Preparation

When asked, a majority of DRE’s and those responsible for sacramental preparation name “how to get parents more involved” as their number one challenge.  What if we offered parents a way to learn about their own Catholic faith in an engaging way to enable those parents to effectively pass on their faith to their children?  This workshop will highlight what we have found to most effective in working with parents as their children prepare to receive their first sacraments.

Walter Bonam

Feeling Each Other’s Pain (or not), Part 1: Disability and the Body of Christ

St. Paul’s familiar metaphor in 1 Cor. 12, comparing the body of believers with the human body, indicates, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” This presentation will focus in particular on the roles of persons with disabilities within the Body of Christ, and the challenges and opportunities they represent for the Church as a whole, and for the wider society in which Jesus’ disciples are called to be a leaven.

John Angotti

Fear Is Not An Option

How can we resist the pressures of work, of family life, the news cycle, even from our own friends and colleagues and grow stronger in our faith in God and in ourselves? John will lead you on a journey of self-discovery, for when you truly know that you are a Child of God, nothing will ever truly harm you or take you – and fear is no longer an option.

SATURDAY JANUARY 12 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM

John Braham

Accepting Your Mission As A Catechist

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you chose to be a DRE or Catechist?  Many of us have a tendency to get in the way of our mission as a Catechist just because of our fears of failure.  Many of our church heroes had a tough time accepting their role in God’s plan, but they overcame and trusted in God and the Holy Spirit.  There are many different avenues we can take to make our job both effective and rewarding. We will look at different ways to engage and bring out the best of our ministry.

Dr. Jo Ann Paradise

It Takes Practice to Speak the Truth

Here’s the dilemma:  There is truth, but then there is the need to be able to communicate that truth.  Many faith-filled Catholic adults find themselves challenged to speak those truths with clarity and simplicity.  This struggle is an invitation to religious educators to form young disciples in a process that gives them skill and confidence in sharing the Good News of our salvation —the Kerygma.  This session will explore ways to equip our young Church (ages 6-12) to share God’s truth.

Becky Eldredge

Where Do I Go?

God sends us forth. How do we discern where God is sending us? How do we know what periphery God is sending each of us, as well as our organizations? St. Ignatius gifted our church with the legacy of discernment wisdom. Becky Eldredge, an Ignatian trained spiritual director, will offer practical discernment tools to help you understand God’s calls for you and how to answer them.

Dr. Tom Ryan

An Invitational Evangelization

Pope Francis proposes a thoroughly invitational evangelization when he urges that Catholics “should appear as people who wish to share their joy…and who invite others to a delicious banquet.” I recently tried to implement this insight into an undergraduate class entitled “Catholicism” with good results. This multi-media presentation highlights the themes that were particularly effective for the young adults in the class and that hold promise for others–high school age and beyond.

Leeanna Holmes

Catholic Youth Can Change the World

Expand your students’ worldview and the power of hope and mercy by engaging your ministry in global service learning initiatives. Help students grow in their personal relationship with God, while incorporating the spiritual and corporal works of mercy into their lives. This break out session will feature the logistical implementation of the Box of Joy program. Learn how to engage your parish community in this service learning opportunity. Free resources and simple projects will be shared.

Wayne Castillo

Racial Harmony: Don’t be Bitter – Be Better.

This presentation focuses on: How not to be bitter when racial discrimination has compromised one’s dignity through humiliation, disgrace, embarrassment, and dishonor. How not to be bitter about the attack on one’s dignity and why we should pray for the attacker. How to be better. How to be better and to rise from such an attack and how one may be protected. How to be better by exploring our spiritual, social, and economic opportunities. How to be better and Go Forth: That All May Be One.

Dr. Joshua Brumfield

Love in Reality

Scriptures reminds us that we cannot love our God, whom we cannot see, if we do not love our neighbors, whom we can see. So often, our parishes fail to reflect authentic Christian love and communion. We simply don’t know each well enough to respond in love to our neighbors. This presentation will explore some of the root causes and think through some responses by engaging Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Servant of God Dorothy Day.

Walter Bonam

Feeling Each Other’s Pain (or not) Part 2: Racial/Cultural Division and the Body of Christ

St. Paul’s familiar metaphor in 1 Cor. 12, comparing the body of believers with the human body, indicates,  “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” This presentation will focus on the challenges and opportunities posed for the Church and the wider society by racial and ethnic differences, particularly in light of racial segregation and institutional forms of racism.