Barbara Coloroso

Our students need our time, our affection and our sense of optimism in a time when expediency, efficiency, keeping a distance and pessimism are more commonplace. This session will cover ways to help our kids become compassionate, responsible, resourceful, resilient human beings who can act in their own best interest, stand up for themselves, and exercise their own rights while respecting the rights of others. Discussed will be the three elements of integrity and how important these elements are in teaching students to resist being easily led or doing to please, and to stand up for values and against injustices.

Explore St. Francis of Assisi’s unique approach to repairing the Church and living the Gospel that attracted many of his day, and continues to inspire millions of contemporary followers worldwide, making the Franciscan Order the largest in the world. What was the new invention of the friars minor that attracted St. Clare of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Bonaventure, Friar Tuck, Christopher Columbus, Dante and Blessed Juniper Serra? What is this Franciscan spirituality? And what makes it so special?

C.S. Lewis’ "Chronicles of Narnia" were written in order to help people as young as 12 years old experience what he called the baptism of the imagination or the liberation of true Christian feelings. Dr. Paul Ford will discuss why Lewis wrote these seven books, why it is important for our feelings and our imaginations to be converted, how to read the Chronicles with the heart, and point out their major themes.

In the wake of the clergy sexual abuse scandal, the Catholic bishops focused on canonical and procedural reforms. Beyond these immediate steps, however, there is a far deeper challenge – renewing our theology of human sexuality. This presentation is an invitation to join in the task of reclaiming our incarnational, communal and mystical tradition, with its affirmation of the body and human intimacy. If we are to become authentic life-givers and lovers, we must be willing to embrace human passion as a sacred energy that shapes all facets of our living.

St. Augustine famously wrote, "Since you are the Body of Christ and His members ... Be what you see, and receive what you are." In the spirit of Pope John Paul II’s 2003 encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, this workshop will explore how Catholic teaching on the Eucharist addresses more than the question of "Real Presence" to consider how the Eucharist "makes the church."

The Responsorial Psalm is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. The singing of the Psalm is the assembly’s response to the Word of God proclaimed in Scripture. This workshop will combine a careful analysis of the Responsorial Psalm by biblical scholar Arthur Zannoni with liturgical music renditions of the same Psalms by liturgical musician David Haas. The Psalms selected will be taken from the Lectionary for the Sunday Lent (Cycle/Year C) and those used during the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil).

Making the sacraments real for all the moments of our lives: That’s a challenge for catechists, pastors and anyone who wants to experience, share and live faith more authentically. This session considers those challenges and offers catechists, pastoral leaders and spiritually hungry adults some perspectives and possibilities for effectively sharing them with others.

Come explore the stories and Scriptures of Lent, and a new collection of music for the season from Bob Hurd and Anawim. This workshop highlights the unfolding images and themes within each liturgical cycle (A, B and C) and across the readings of each Sunday, showing how music can minister God’s Word to the gathered church.

With all the challenges facing the church today, "Go and Make Disciples," the U.S. bishops’ national plan and strategy for Catholic evangelization in the United States, still presents a solid framework for presenting the Good News in not-so-good times. In the midst of our challenges today, its strategies will be explored with fresh insights.

Contemplation is not the preserve of religious communities. But they point the way for everyone, even in active parish life, to the full heritage of Christ. The meaning of silence in spirituality and worship, the gift of contemplation, and the steps to that perfect love of Christ "which casts out fear" will be the focus of this presentation.

This workshop will explore the link between culture and worship today. Liam Lawton looks at the influence of Celtic spirituality on his own writing and offers some examples of how ethnic music can be adapted in contemporary liturgical settings.

It is not ministry as usual! The millennial generation is unique and parish youth ministry is moving beyond religious education and youth group models. "It takes a whole Church to raise a child" and this requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. We need a new map to assess our catechetical and ministerial efforts ... and we need a new compass – a motivating image that provides direction. Let’s explore a map and compass for our ministry as we respond to the Gospel challenge to make disciples for the reign of God.

Blest are they who transmit spiritual heritage to their children, for their house is built on solid ground. Use this session to review the elements of spirituality: identity, roots, values, principles and an active awareness of the immanent presence of God. This session will focus on creating family spiritual heritage through environment, customs and rituals tailored to the liturgical seasons.

In December 2003 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum concilium. After 40 years of reform and renewal, it seems appropriate to ask three basic questions: 1) What has worked? 2) What hasn’t worked? 3) Why? This workshop will review our four-decade-long journey toward that visionary goal outlined by Sacrosanctum concilium: "full, conscious, active participation" by God’s holy people.

This workshop will provide some practical strategies for promoting global peace and justice through the everyday practice of our faith.

Beauty is the forgotten presence in the Christian tradition. Our modern world offers us glamour instead of beauty; consequently beauty has been demeaned. In this session we will explore beauty as the bridge between the real and the ideal. We will explore the nature of God as beauty, elegance and grace. Beauty is the inconceivable made intimate. As John of the Cross said: "I did not have to ask my heart what it wanted because of all the desires I have ever known, just one thing did I cling to, for it was the essence of all desire: to know beauty."

The "General Directory for Catechesis" reminds us that the aim of all catechesis "is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ" [p.80]. Praying is the experience of opening oneself to that intimacy with God. This workshop will explore the various traditions of prayer that will empower adolescents not only to say prayers, but to become "pray-ers."

It has become more and more evident that life has two definitive stages and tasks. Much confusion in church and personal growth could be resolved by understanding these clearly – affirming both of them – but recognizing that Jesus is clearly addressing the second stage of life. Because we are a "first stage" country and culture, we tend to do the first half of life over and over again. What is lost is adult, mystical and socially engaged Christianity.

This session will offer some lighthearted real-life situations for dealing with difficult people and handling challenging situations. Come and hear about the seven "Sparkle-Tude" Boosters from a spiritual perspective for keeping your sanity and sense of humor, increasing cooperation, decreasing stress and raising morale.

How many of us begin our ministries with enthusiasm only to get consumed with expansive schedules and endless tasks? This session is about regaining a heartfelt sense of purpose and vitality in our personal life and in our ministry. Come and rediscover the ability to be a joy-filled presence of hope in a wildly busy world.

Do you have to nag to get your kids to do their chores? Do you sometimes feel taken advantage of? Do you find yourself feeling frustrated and angry because your kids are not cooperating? This seminar teaches parents to use discipline rather then punishment to teach their children to be accountable. No-nonsense guidelines will be given to set clear limits, use appropriate consequences, and exercise consistency in follow-through. Discover how much more peaceful your home can be by simply applying the six principles of positive discipline.

We tell our own spiritually significant experiences in story form, and we listen to the spiritually significant stories of others. But that is not the end of it. Stories are turned into memories, and memories into spiritual practices. Spiritual practices, if persevered in, generate new ways of acting. It is this slow-change process that we will explore in this session.

Our God is a God of laughter and tears. Rooted within us we have the gifts of light-heartedness, humor and joy. We are called from the humdrumness of daily life into joy and happiness. We will explore ways that humor opens us to be fully alive and holy people. As author and radio host Garrison Keillor reminds us, "Humor is not a trick, not jokes. Humor is a presence in the world – like grace – and shines on everybody."

This workshop will explore the spiritual and psychological aspects of leadership. It will address such questions as: How did Jesus lead? What distinguishes the mature Christian leader? What are the psychological issues to be addressed by an effective Christian leader?

All parishioners have the right and responsibility to become involved in the ministering and operation of the parish. They want to feel that their individual efforts make a difference and that their involvement will provide meaning in their lives. What is often lacking is a good structure and adequate coordination to allow this to happen. This presentation will offer ways for this to be accomplished, in particular by describing how to recruit, train, support and evaluate parish volunteers.

Music can bring tired liturgies back to life. Come and experience vibrant new ways in which music can engage the assembly effortlessly and profoundly. Included in this workshop is an exciting new way of experiencing the Passion reading on Good Friday.