2002 Religious Education Congress

Saturday Workshops - Period 6

February 16, 2002 • 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

6-00 The Passion Narratives: Their Power, Their Problems 

Mary C. Boys, S.N.J.M.

Each Holy Week, Christians enter into the compelling drama of the Passion and death of Jesus. Yet, the Gospel narratives hold the Jews responsible for the crucifixion – a charge that resulted in centuries of "teaching of contempt"’ for Jews as "Christ killers." This workshop will confront the problem of anti-Jewish elements in the Passion narratives and address ways we might interpret these texts so as to live more faithfully to the Way of Jesus.

6-01 Sometimes We Dance, Sometimes We Wrestle 

This workshop will explore four specific ways any faith-filled adult can participate in the spiritual journey of adolescents, regardless of your role, experience or educational background. This session is aimed at those who work with youth in classrooms, counseling programs, churches and community centers as professionals and volunteers.

Michael Carotta, Ed.D.

As the National Catechetical Consultant for Harcourt Religion Publishers, Mike Carotta helped develop the New Living Our Faith series for early adolescents. He has spent more than 25 years working with adolescents as a religious educator, author, researcher, parent and volunteer coach. He also teaches at Boston College, Fordham University and St. John’s in Collegeville, Minn.

6-02 Boring Worship Can Destroy Faith 

"Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy it" ("Music in Catholic Worship," no. 6). No matter what the sacrament, worship does not need to be boring. The key to effective public worship, at every age, is personal engagement. What engages worshipers? What disengages them? Are there cultural differences? The answers are easy, yet challenging. This session will help liturgy planners analyze liturgical celebrations and strategize how to reach the desired affect.

Rev. William Cieslak, O.F.M.Cap.

Since 1978, Fr. Bill Cieslak, a Capuchin Franciscan from the Detroit Province, has been teaching liturgy and sacraments at the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif., where he currently serves as the school’s President. An author and speaker, he has given the keynote at both the Las Vegas Diocesan Liturgical Ministry Conference as well as the National Pastoral Musicians Conference.

6-03 Teaching Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change

Barbara Coloroso

This session is about handling tough times and tough issues. Whether it be a small crisis or a major disaster, a minor malady or a life-changing event, bullying in the hallways or terror in the streets, this session looks at how we as educators can use our wit and our wisdom to nurture and enrich ourselves and our students as we navigate through the minor and major chaos in our lives.

6-04 Moving from Violence to Compassion

Michael H. Crosby, O.F.M.Cap.

A "culture of death" is grounded in violence and the need to control. A "civilization of love" is grounded in care and evidences compassion in ever-widening circles. Michael Crosby will show how our whole lives as individuals, groups or peoples will be oriented to one or the other. You will find this session very practical.

6-05 Anak, Manalangin Tayo: Filipino Immigrants and Our Youth

This workshop addresses a tremendous pastoral challenge for parents and catechists: How can we more successfully "hand on the faith" to our children who are born and raised in the United States?

Rev. Faustino Cruz, S.M., Ph.D.

An immigrant from the Philippines, Fr. Tino Cruz has ministered to migrants and refugees in the United States fox nearly 20 years as pastor, catechetical leader, community organizer and educator. Currently, he teaches at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, where he is also Co-Director of the Master of Arts program in Ministry for a Multicultural Church.

6-06 Visions and Tasks – Practical Catechesis for Parish Ministry 

This workshop will look at some of the visions set forth in the "General Directory for Catechesis," discussing practical ways of making them a reality on our parish ministry. Evangelization, inculturation, adult faith formation and children’s catechesis will all be discussed.

Judith A. Dunlap

Judith Dunlap has been involved in parish catechesis for nearly 30 years. She has worked as a youth minister, a family faith minister and a DRE. She was a columnist for "Church" magazine for 10 years and co-authored the catechetical series "God is Calling." Currently, she is a Catechetical Consultant for St. Anthony Messenger Press-Franciscan Communication.

6-07 Ten Issues in Eucharist Today 

A presentation of 10 topics that are central to the current stage of liturgical renewal. A commentary will be offered on each issue, and response is invited.

Rev. John Gallen, S.J.

A well-known speaker throughout the nation, Fr. John Gallen is devoted to providing liturgical expertise for parish missions and retreats. He is the former Director of the Murphy Center of Liturgical Research at Notre Dame, Ind., and the former Associate Director of Liturgy at the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Phoenix, Ariz.

6-08 Do Not be Afraid! Miracles of Transformation at the End of Life 

Today’s parish is being called to a unique involvement in a form of hospice ministry. Chaplain Richard Groves teaches clergy and lay ministers throughout the country from the simple wisdom that "the dying become our teachers" so that we live with enhanced spirit and purpose. His poignant stories are drawn from the deaths of 500 persons and touch the heart of what it means to be a person of compassion and faith. This is a healing presentation filled with hope and practical tools!

Richard F. Groves

Richard Groves is a religious educator and retreat director with 25 years of pastoral experience as a hospice chaplain. Founder and Director of the Sacred Art of Living Pastoral Education Center in Bend, Ore., he trains candidates throughout the West Coast in the art of spiritual direction. His current project, "The Sacred Art of Dying," is the nation’s first end-of-life care certification program.

6-09 Catholic Sacraments in a Post-Modern World

Catholics have a rich heritage of thinking about Sacraments. This session will review the milestones in Catholic sacramental theology, analyze the new intellectual climate termed "Post-Modernism" and suggest ways that Catholic sacramental theology responds to this changed cultural climate.

Rev. Michael Joncas

Minneapolis native Michael Joncas is Associate Professor of Theology and a Teaching Fellow in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. The former associate pastor, campus minister and education director has served as a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn., for 21 years.

6-10 Lightening Up

Patricia H. Livingston

Sometimes it is difficult to see this conference’s theme of "Gift Overflowing" in our lives. Our days are often darker and heavier than we expect. This talk will explore ways to lighten up, with sources from Scripture to science, from drama to daily life, offering us energy and encouragement, humor and hope. Let the Spirit lift our spirits.

6-11 Scripture Alive: Telling the Story with Drama, Dance and Mime

Nancy Seitz Marcheschi & Graziano Marcheschi

Scripture comes alive when proclaimed with imagination. Religious educators can bring energy, joy and life-giving fun to their work with Scripture. We’ll focus on how drama, movement and storytelling can be used at any educational level (in worship or in the classroom) to proclaim and study Scripture. And we’ll learn to create scripts from Bible stories. Watch and participate: you’ll learn to make work with Scripture more fun and fulfilling for you and your students.

6-12 Social Justice: The Basis for Liturgical Renewal 

Nathan D. Mitchell, Ph.D.

The early pioneers of the "liturgical movement" understood that the call to worship God "in spirit and truth" is a call to action on behalf of the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the excluded. The future success of liturgical renewal depends upon our commitment to the neediest and most vulnerable persons among us.

6-13 The Bible on Belonging: A Scriptural Take on Multiculturalism 

Questions concerning who belongs among God’s people haunt the Hebrew Bible and explode in the New Testament. The Scriptures provide us with spectacular insight into how we can successfully address the many cultures that find their home in the Roman Catholic Church in America. This session examines the early Church’s response and considers how this should help us transform our works and our parishes today.

Rev. J. Patrick Mullen, Ph.D.

Los Angeles Archdiocesan priest Fr. Pat Mullen was born and raised in Holy Family Parish in Glendale, Calif. He has served in two local area parishes – St. Margaret Mary’s in Lomita and St. John Vianney in Hacienda Heights – and is Professor of Biblical Studies, New Testament at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif.

6-14 Gift Overflowing, a World Transformed: Our Sacred Role as Religious Educators

Our sacred role as catechists emerges from our baptismal call as it is shaped, formed and mediated in the Sunday assembly, where the transforming Word of God is both proclaimed and fulfilled. These roots are the font of our ministry.

Rev. J-Glenn Murray, S.J.

Fr. J-Glenn Murray is Director of the Cleveland Diocese’s Office of Pastoral Liturgy. He was the principal drafter of "Plenty Good Room: The Spirit and Truth of African-American Catholic Worship," a document from the Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy and the Black Catholic Secretariat. In addition to his other duties, Fr. Murray maintains a busy speaking schedule on liturgical topics.

6-15 Recipe for Conscience Formation 

Reasoning skills, emotional skills and decision-making skills within a faith context are essential ingredients of conscience formation. Conscience literacy develops when parents, teachers and significant adults model the skills with consistency, intentionality and emotional responsiveness. This presentation will illustrate how adults foster conscience literacy through practices that develop character skills.

Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, I.H.M.

Sr. Patricia McCormack has taught in elementary and secondary schools, served as an elementary school principal and directed teacher education at the collegiate level. She presently is a Consultant for Parenting Support Services in Virginia. An experienced public speaker, Sr. McCormack authors the Parent Partnership Handbook feature of Today’s Catholic Teacher magazine.

6-16 Effervescence or Natural? Both! 

In this session, we will discover techniques for uncovering grace in stories, songs, news events, movies and TV and then using them in teaching and catechizing. God is always present, so tune in your ears, sharpen your eyes and transform your thinking.

Leland Nagel

Lee Nagel’s teaching career began with first grade and there has not been a grade (including college) that he hasn’t taught. Nagel has spoken at diocesan and youth events as well as parish missions around the United States. For the last 11 years, he has been Director of Total Catholic Education for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wis.

6-17 The Community Initiates! 

Sheila O’Dea, R.S.M.

What vision of the "initiating community" is assumed in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? How does the community carry out its responsibility? What are the implications for evangelization, liturgy, catechesis and mission?

6-18 Meeting Jesus at the Movies 

Many movies provide great ways to help others and us meet Jesus in daily life. This session will examine a variety of movies through the lens of the Gospel and offer suggestions to catechists, parents and other ministers about their use.

Rose Pacatte, F.S.P.

Rose Pacatte, a Daughter of St. Paul, writes book reviews, has written catechetical curricula and is published regularly in Catholic communication periodicals. A media literacy expert, Sr. Pacatte has spoken at national and international media education conferences, is a Consultant to the White House in Washington, D.C., and teaches media awareness to adolescents, parents and teachers.

Gretchen Hailer, R.S.H.M.

Sr. Gretchen Hailer is a seasoned catechist and media educator who designs print, audio and video resources in faith formation for children, youth and adults. She is also a presenter on various topics for Catholic, ecumenical and interfaith audiences. She has presented scores of workshops and retreats and is a Consultant to the White House in Washington, D.C., regarding faith and media.

6-19 Pax Christi USA: Gospel Non-violence and Catholic Peacemaking 

In this session, we will explore the Gospel basis and Catholic tradition of non-violence and peacemaking. We will include an introduction to Pax Christi USA’s "prayer, study and action" model for personal and social transformation and an overview of the Catholic peace movement today.

David Robinson

Dave Robinson is the National Coordinator of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, and serves as Executive Editor of "The Catholic Peace Voice," its quarterly newspaper. Robinson has provided issue analysis, developed programs and organized grassroots constituencies for Pax Christi USA for 11 years.

6-20 Luke 18:35-19:9: A Day in the Life of the Lord 

Walk with Jesus as He comes to Jericho. Follow His cultural footsteps into the city as He heals a man who is blind and saves the life of Zaccheus, who was about to be killed by the people of Jericho. You will enjoy this "day in the life of Jesus" as I read and comment upon this journey to Jerusalem. Jericho will never be the same again.

Kevin Saunders

Kevin Saunders is a full-time Roman Catholic Bible teacher. He teaches more than 1,300 students a week who gather to study the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in an ecumenical setting. Kevin and his wife, Diane, have five children and live in Arizona. They are members of St. Timothy’s Catholic Community, which is one of the host churches for Kevin’s Bible Teaching Ministry.

6-21 Gospel Stories for "Spiritual Consciousness" 

John Shea

Jesus lamented that people had eyes but did not see and ears but did not hear. In other words, their physical sight and hearing were fine, but they were spiritually blind and deaf. They were not attuned to the spiritual dynamics that pulsed through everyday life. This lament of Jesus can be reversed. By apprenticing ourselves to Gospel stories, we can sharpen our sight and hearing. Our awareness can become more subtle, and we can perceive the spirit in the flesh. We will attend to the Gospel stories and allow them to lead us into the depths of ourselves, our world and the Divine Source.

6-22 The Spiritual Storyteller 

J. Thomas Sparough

The connection between storyteller and listener is holy. Come listen to and share your experience of witnessing God’s presence in storytelling. Learn about ways to be open to the Holy Spirit during your storytelling as preacher, teacher or lector.

6-23 Catechesis and Neurons: A Look at Brain-friendly Teaching/Leading and Religious Education 

This workshop will describe brain-friendly teaching. It is brain research-based, concentrating on how the brain learns best, and offers a new approach to the field of religious education. We will also reflect on brain/mind spiritual principles which are rooted in brain research. These principles lead us to recognize the integral connection between mind, body and spirit.

Jean Marie Weber

Jean Marie Weber is Associate Director of the Office for Schools and Child/Youth Ministries for the Milwaukee Archdiocese. She has co-authored Grades 1-2-3 of the Silver Burdett Ginn series, "This Is Our Faith." Weber has done extensive study and research on brain-compatible teaching and learning, and has given presentations and workshops at numerous conferences across the United States.

6-24 Victims of Violence Oppose Executions

Bud Welch will explore the impact of Church teaching on his own family’s history of opposition to the death penalty and reflect on his emerging role as a catalyst within the Church for its more forceful opposition to the death penalty.

Bud Welch

When his 23-year-old daughter Julie Marie was killed in the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City bombing, Bud Welch’s rage and desire for vengeance challenged his long-held opposition to the death penalty. In time, he realized that killing Timothy McVeigh would neither reduce violence nor relieve his own personal anguish and has become an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

6-25 The Parables: The Stories Jesus Left Behind

Arthur E. Zannoni

The Gospels are filled with the stories Jesus told. He often employed a type of story called the parable. The purpose of these stories was – and is – to cause the Gospel reader to reflect about God, oneself, other people and the world in which we live. This workshop will explore the origin, context, content, structure and meaning of some of the parables in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Emphasis will be placed on how Jesus’ parables challenge all who read them to embrace a committed faith life.

6-70 Suffering and Salvation

For almost every person of religious conviction, the most difficult test of faith comes with the suffering and death of a loved one or when bad things happen to good people. If God is all-powerful and all-loving, how can God permit suffering? Why me? Why this? Why now? Can a believer find a satisfactory answer according to his/her religious tradition?

John Francis "Cha" Toan

John Francis Toan, known among the Vietnamese community as Cha Toan, was born in Vietnam and came to the United States in 1980. A member of the Society of Jesus-California Province, he is a Scripture Professor at Loyola High School in Los Angeles and enjoys teaching and giving retreats to young adults. He is actively engaged in pastoral work in Southern California.