Presenters & Workshops for 2015 Parish Life Conference

Transcription

1 Presenters & Workshops for 2015 Parish Life Conference Dr. Carole Eipers Keynote Speaker sponsored by W. H. Sadlier, Inc. Title: Joy: The Eyes Have it! Proclaiming the joy of the Gospel means first seeing and embracing the joy we encounter there. The Gospel then gives us new vision by which we see and recognize joy. The joy of the Gospel becomes the Gospel of joy which we share with those who wish to see Jesus. Dr. Carole Eipers is Vice President, Executive Director of Catechetics for William H. Sadlier, Inc. She served in parish ministries for over 20 years as a teacher, Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister and Pastoral Associate. Carole was Director of the Office for Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Chicago for nine years and also served as President of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership. She has been a member of the adjunct faculties of Mundelein Seminary, Loyola University Chicago Loyola New Orleans and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She has been published and made presentations throughout this country and internationally in the area of catechetics. Carole holds a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University, Chicago, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Her book, Sending Out Roots: Helping Parents and Teachers to Share the Faith, was published by Veritas Publishers, Dublin, Ireland in Carole s latest book, Wade Don t Dive: Feeling Comfortable and Confident in Your Role as a Catechist, was just published by Twenty Third Publications. Sr. Suzanne Beaudoin, SSCh Workshop A2: Spirituality of the Eucharist This workshop will be both prayerful and informative with Scripture references. Holy Eucharist will be considered as a mystery, a source of nourishment, an expression of intimacy, a sign of unity, a call to service and a source of healing. Workshop C2: Eucharistic Ministers: A Sacred Calling & a Service This workshop will be a prayerful experience and will provide some practical suggestions for visiting and bringing Holy Communion to the sick & elderly both at home, in nursing homes & in medical settings. Some sharing, questions and answers may be helpful. Sister Suzanne is a Sister of St. Chretienne. She has degrees in Physics, Theology and Pastoral Counseling. She has been a high school teacher, a college Campus Minister & a parish Pastoral Associate. After 10 yrs. in leadership in her religious community, she came to her present ministry at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center 8 yrs. ago. It was her third ministry here in Maine. She says that part of her heart stays in Maine every time she ministers here. "God's people in Maine are wonderful." John Collins sponsored by W. H. Sadlier, Inc. Workshop A3: Reconciliation, Eucharist & Confirmation This workshop will focus on ideas & activities for catechists to help students learn about three Sacraments. It is about effective and successful teaching on the sacraments of Reconciliation/Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation... A lot to take in and comprehend...how can we engage our students and make it "comprehensible" for young children? 1

2 Workshop C3: I'm a Catechist What Do I Do Now? This session will focus on management ideas, teaching strategies, activities & tips for being a successful catechist. John will provide a wealth of information (in a short amount of time) for catechists to support their efforts in creating positive & productive learning experiences, even when the "ideal" situation is not possible. John is a retired elementary school principal and grade 2 teacher, former Director of Curriculum, and former DRE and catechist. He has worked with Sadlier in the northeast for many years and has presented at numerous catechetical congresses. He provides catechist training in parishes giving practical ideas, strategies & activities on how to teach & be a catechist. He is now a full-time National Religious Consultant with Sadlier. Sr. Sandra DeMasi, SSJ sponsored by RCL Benziger Workshop A5: Liturgy & Catechesis: What's In It for Me? Pope Francis has invited us to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus, or at least be opened to God encountering us. In this interactive presentation, Sr. Sandy will address liturgy and catechesis as the means and place of the encounter and give practical suggestions to an openness to the joy of such an encounter. Workshop B6: RCIA: Source of Inspirational Catechesis The RCIA has provided the Church with a great source of renewal by inspiring more outreach & an evangelizing spirit. In this interactive presentation, Sr. Sandy will address: How has RCIA affected the area of catechesis? How is the RCIA connected to the work of the catechist and Catholic school teacher? How is the catechumenal model reflected in our parish sacramental programs? Sr. Sandy, a Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA has a BS in Education, an MA in Liturgical Studies, and a D. Min. She served 13 yrs. as Director of the Office of Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. and some 20 yrs. as member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. She is a consultant for RCL Benziger and serves as pastoral associate for liturgy at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills, N.J. Kevin Dowd sponsored by Pflaum Publishing Group Workshop B3: "A Spirituality of Imperfection" Learn how a Pauline understanding of grace bears on the contemporary situation where culture has made an idol of perfection. We will join in a multimedia presentation and discussion about signs of this idolatry in communities; how it has affected the Church; and how to tap into our Catholic spiritual resources to combat it and see only God as perfect and as the source of all grace. Kevin is a doctoral student in theology and education under the direction of Dr. Thomas H. Groome at Boston College. He is the third of eight sons and was born and raised in Worcester, MA. After graduating from Worcester Public Schools and Harvard University, Kevin volunteered for two years with the Capuchin Franciscan Youth and Family Ministries center in Garrison, NY. Kevin has taught in Catholic and public schools in both NY and MA, including every grade from 6th through graduate school. He earned his masters in religious education from the Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College in Kevin's research interests include religious and public education, inter-religious dialogue, and bullying in the schools. 2

3 Joan Fitzpatrick Workshop C4: Forming Our Hearts to Share & Teach Our Faith (Catechist Spirituality) This workshop will help answer the question: How can we keep our relationship with the Lord front and center each and every day so that we can be the Good News of Jesus Christ to those we teach? Joan is Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Warrington, PA. She has been Director of Parish Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a teacher in the Church Ministry Program, a parish director of religious education, and a catechist. She's passionate about adult faith formation, gives retreats for Catholic school teachers, parish catechists and sacrament preparation for parents. Frank Mercadante Workshops A6 & C6: Engaging a New Generation These workshop will explore how to evangelize and pastorally engage postmodern, digital, Millennial Generation teens. Frank has served hundreds of dioceses, parishes, and youth ministers internationally. He has a BA in Christian Education and a Master's in Pastoral Studies. He has authored several books, including Growing Teen Disciples (SMP), Positively Dangerous (SMP), and Engaging a New Generation (OSV). He received the National Youth Ministry Award for Training from the National Federation for Youth Ministry in Frank is married to Diane and has six grown children. Guadalupe Ospino Workshops A4 & B4: Los padres de familia y su responsabilidad evangelizadora en el hogar Hoy más que nunca es urgente que los padres de familia y los demás adultos que viven en el hogar asuman su responsabilidad de compartir la fe con los más jóvenes. Se estima que los jóvenes hispanos son el grupo que más rápido está abandonando la identidad católica, así que las familias hispanas no pueden esperar a que alguien haga el trabajo por ellos. En este taller reflexionaremos sobre cómo los padres de familia hispanos pueden acompañar mejor a sus hijos en la fe. Dialogaremos sobre ciertos retos urgentes que enfrentan las familias hispanas en los Estados Unidos y compartiremos algunos ejemplos prácticos para ser mejores evangelizadores en el hogar. Guadalupe Ospino actualmente trabaja como la encargada del ministerio hispano en la parroquia de San Patricio en Lawrence, MA, una comunidad trilingüe en una de las ciudades más pobres de Nueva Inglaterra. Tiene un título en psicología social y una maestría en teología pastoral de Boston College. En medio de sus varias responsabilidades pastorales y administrativas, Guadalupe trabaja con los jóvenes hispanos en áreas de formación en la fe, preparación para la universidad y las dinámicas familiares. Ella pasa gran parte de su tiempo ayudando a jóvenes hispanos a reflexionar, a la luz de su fe cristiana, los retos de vivir en medio de la pobreza y la desventaja social. Guadalupe currently oversees Hispanic Ministry at St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence, MA, a trilingual community in one of the poorest cities of New England. She holds a Bachelor s degree in Social Psychology and a Master s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. Among her various pastoral and administrative responsibilities, she particularly works with Hispanic youth in the areas of faith formation, preparation for college, and family dynamics. She spends a great part of her time helping Hispanic youth to address, in light of their Christian faith, the challenges of living in the midst of poverty and social disadvantage. 3

4 Fr. Rob Ruhnke, C.Ss.R., D. Min. Workshop B2: The New Evangelization & Marriage Preparation In the past, in most dioceses and parishes, clergy and couples helped couples prepare for marriage. Today - thanks to Pope Francis & others - we are learning that ALL OF US (married, divorced, remarried, single, dating/engaged, priest or religious) have a role in marriage preparation. Come & learn how you can help! Rob is a Redemptorist priest from the San Antonio province. He authored the sponsor-based marriage preparation program, For Better & For Ever. He provides training for Sponsor Couples and consults with parishes on For Better & For Ever. He has served as Formation Director in his community, as director of the Family Life Office in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and as pastor and associate pastor in parishes. Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP Workshop B5: Some ABC s of AFF: All-Encompassing, Beneficial, Continual Adult Faith Formation can be xenial, yielding, and zestful; but let s begin at the beginning, exploring some practical ways in which adult faith formation today can be all-encompassing, beneficial and continual. Workshop C5: Catechizing Parents through their Children s Sacraments Sacraments touch the whole community, not only the person celebrating the sacrament. This must be very true, then, of the parents/families surrounding and supporting the sacramental candidates. Let s reflect on and discover some simple and successful ways of walking with the parents on their faith journey during the times of their children s sacraments. Janet, an Adrian Dominican Sister, ministered many years in parish and archdiocesan catechetics/faith formation. She now ministers freelance as a catechetical/adult faith formation consultant, presenter and author. She authored hundreds of publications in Today's Parish and Religion Teacher's Journal, as well as GEMS newsletter. She was on the team who wrote the Leader's Guide to accompany the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation, Our Hearts Were Burning within Us. In 2010 she received the Distinguished Service Award in Catechetics from NCCL. Dan Schutte Musician for Liturgy, & Workshop Presenter sponsored by OCP Workshop B1: The Joy of the Gospel Come, be nourished in prayer and find hope through music, stories and reflections. Discover again the place in your soul where your journey with Jesus of Nazareth began and where it will one day come to an end. Steeped in Sacred Scripture and Ignatian spirituality, Dan Schutte's music has anchored people of faith for generations. He is one of the best-known and most influential composers of Catholic music for liturgy in the English-speaking world. His compositions have also found wide use in Protestant communities and have been translated into many other languages. 4

5 Bill Wood Workshop C1: The Catholic Guide to Downsizing Your Stuff!!! So, what does Catholicism have to do with cleaning out your basement, garage & attic? Actually, more than you might think! As you downsize your living space, you can also help with what Pope Francis calls our global "home". Join Bill for an informational, faith-filled & entertaining guide to clearing the clutter out of your life. Discover the joy of tidying up! It's more than just housework; it can be a ministry! In the past 4 yrs. working for Catholic Charities' Threads of Hope" Thrift Stores, Bill has helped recycle over a million pounds of donated clothing, hundreds of rooms of furniture, thousands of pounds of TV's & electronics, & more truckloads of your Aunt Betty's favorite knick-knacks than you care to know about! Bill can probably help you figure out what to do with your stuff, too! 5