RECongress 2008 - Period 2: Friday, February 29, 2008

2-01 The Journey of Ministry: Exploring the Six Tasks of Catechesis (Workshop Closed)

Catechesis is a “handing on of the faith.” Handing on the faith should begin in love and proceed from love, so that in love we have no other choice but to hand on the faith. In this unique and engaging session, Mark Friedman and Donna Anderle explore our role as catechists and ministers through music, storytelling and prayer woven in and out of the six tasks of catechesis, helping us to work, walk and talk hand in hand and face to face with the person of Jesus in a more intimate way.

An accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer, Donna Anderle has performed movement for prayer and celebration at major liturgical conventions across the country. She has four books of choreography and a CD-ROM on liturgical dance. She gives workshops, concerts and keynote presentations, often partnering with composers Mark Friedman and Janet Vogt. Anderle is on the teaching faculty of The Cincinnati Ballet Company is involved in various outreach dance programs for Cincinnati inner-city schools.

Mark Friedman is a liturgist, cantor, music director and religious educator. He has been active in religious education, teaching in Catholic schools for more than 20 years, and has presented workshops, concerts and keynote presentations at major gatherings around the country. The published composer serves on the Music Education Board for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and is currently a music minister and liturgist at St. John Fisher Parish in Cincinnati.

Learn how to set your community on fire by helping parishioners identify and develop their God-given talents. StrengthsFinder, a process originally developed by The Gallup Organization for teachers, counselors and those in corporate leadership, can now be of benefit to your parishioners as they discover how uniquely they are created, and how they can apply their gifts in service within your parish and beyond it.

Leisa Anslinger is Pastoral Associate for Evangelization, Catechesis and Stewardship at Immaculate Heart of Mary School Parish in Cincinnati. She contributes regularly to ministerial publications, and has written a new book, “Forming Generous Hearts,” co-authored with Vikki Shepp. Anslinger has presented workshops, in-services and retreats in 45 dioceses in the last four years on topics of catechesis, pastoral leadership and stewardship.

Fr. Jan Schmidt is a priest of the Cincinnati Archdiocese, where he serves as Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Ordained in 1990, Fr. Schmidt has served as chaplain, faculty member and interim President of Archbishop McNicholas High School in Cincinnati. He has presented workshops at local and national gatherings on topics including stewardship, pastoral planning and catechesis.

Jim Burns is first to tell you that an intimate marriage does not come easy. But it is very possible to refresh and improve your marriage. In this session, you will learn to set the mood, tone and atmosphere in your relationship, make your marriage your top priority, learn that your circumstances might not always be able to change but your attitude can change and that makes all the difference. Jim will speak frankly about romance and intimacy, communication and conflict, friendship and fun, and growing toward spiritual intimacy with your spouse. You will receive practical help and be encouraged with an exciting strategy of having a healthy marriage.

Dr. Jim Burns is President of HomeWord and host of their 30-minute daily radio broadcast, 30-minute weekly broadcast, and the one-minute daily broadcast, reaching over 1 million people through his radio ministry to families. Burns is a three-time Gold Medallion Award-winning author and has written books for parents, youth workers and students. His resources include “Confident Parenting” and “Creating an Intimate Marriage.”

2-04 Enriching Children’s Catechesis Through Music and Movement (Workshop Closed)

Ever noticed that children respond with added enthusiasm whenever music and movement are incorporated into religious education? Are you looking for creative, practical and energizing activities that nurture knowledge and faith formation? Then this is the workshop for you! We will explore a variety of songs and activities suitable for children at the elementary level. Areas such as Scripture, doctrine, church seasons, Mary and Sacraments will be addressed during this session. Come ready to sing, move and celebrate!

John Burland is an educator and composer of religious music for children and adults. He is the Project Officer-Liturgy/Music for the Catholic Education Office in Sydney, Australia, where he conducts workshops, celebrations and reflection days for children, families and teachers. Burland has worked for over 20 years in school and parish communities. He is a regular speaker at conventions and gatherings across Australia and the United States.

This workshop will deal with one of the most controversial moral issues of our time. The presentation will include the meaning of physician-assisted suicide, the distinction between allowing one to die and killing, autonomy, pain and suffering, and physician-assisted suicide and the elderly.

Fr. Gerald Coleman is Vice-President for Corporate Ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health System, based in Northern California. He has published widely on moral topics of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. He is presently completing a book on contemporary moral questions facing the church.

The Franciscan Order began 800 years ago, in 1209, with the founding of The Order of Friars Minor. As St. Francis says: “The Lord gave me brothers.” Come explore with Franciscan Fr. Kevin Cronin the enduring life, words, spirit and challenge of St. Francis of Assisi, who continues to attract followers all around the world after these 800 years. “Lord, what do you want me to do?” There are more Franciscan friars, sisters and lay followers than any other order in the Catholic Church. What is it about this little poor man and his message that continues to attract and challenge?

Fr. Kevin Cronin is a preacher with the Franciscan Ministry of the Word Team of the Holy Name Province. The native New Yorker has pastoral and preaching experience at various conferences, adult education and faith-formation programs across the East Coast. Fr. Cronin has served as a parish priest and vocation director, and is founder of Young Adult Catholic in Boston. He is also editor of “A Friar’s Joy: Magic Moments from Real Life.”

Everything in the universe is relational, involving power or energy. This holds especially true for our own relationships. When we influence people for good we empower and energize them; when we become negative forces in our families, groups and organizations, we dis-empower and de-energize others. Michael Crosby will suggest that when we “lift our gaze” and “see anew” Jesus’ notion of the Reign (power or energy) of God, we are invited to a new way of relating at all levels of life: the way of compassion.

Capuchin Franciscan Michael Crosby lives in a downtown Milwaukee parish that serves the poor. He has been a leader in the ministry of socially responsible investing, advising Catholic investors on how they can bring their moral principles into the marketplace. The majority of his time is writing and lecturing on contemporary biblical spirituality. His latest works are “Finding Francis, Following Christ” and “The Paradox of Power: From Control to Compassion in a World of Violence,” due out in 2008.

2-08 An Adult Appreciation of the Passion and Death of Christ (Workshop Closed)

Holy Week and Easter are upon us very soon this year. This workshop will walk us through an adult appreciation of the Scripture texts that are a part of our Holy Week. This material will be very valuable for parish-wide catechesis as well as personal spiritual formation. We will see old things anew.

Fr. John Cusick is Director of Young Adult Ministry for the Chicago Archdiocese. His office and residence are at Old St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Chicago. His full-time ministry is with those in their 20s and 30s, and he speaks nationally on young adult issues. His work and thoughts on young adults was highlighted in the October 2006 issue of U.S. Catholic. Also, Fr. Cusick does extensive speaking and preaching at parish missions several times a year throughout the United States and in parts of Europe.

Have you ever wondered how you might more effectively get others excited about their faith and following Jesus? In this energetic workshop we will look at the heart of religious education and explore five secrets that will be sure to set your ministry on fire. Whether you are a Catholic schoolteacher or a parish catechist, and whether you work with children, youth or adults, don’t miss this one!

Steven Ellair has been involved in catechetical ministry for over 18 years. A former parish catechist, youth minister and Catholic schoolteacher, he served as the Consultant for Elementary Catechesis in the Los Angeles Archdiocese for over eight years. Ellair is currently a Senior Editor with RCL Benziger and continues speaking and writing nationally on issues related to catechesis.

2-10 Revisiting Our Story: Claiming Our Christian Heritage (Workshop Closed)

For many of us, the “well” has run dry and we are longing for a deep encounter with the faith of our tradition. Our time together will allow for this opportunity. We will revisit the charter moments of our faith, opened up in our ancient stories and thoughtfully, in the context of today (what we know now and out of the worldview that presents itself to us today), question into them for their power and relevance. Our hope is to reconnect with the energy and with the dream, to re-envision and recommit ourselves.

Barbara Fiand, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, is Professor of Spirituality at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. She lectures, teaches and gives retreats throughout the United States, Canada and abroad on issues related to holistic spirituality, prayer, religious life and the psychology and spirituality of human maturation. She is the author of eight books and a variety of articles as well as cassette tapes.

This workshop will explore the deep connections between the Eucharist and how Christians have lived in the world since the time of Jesus. We will use music and the visual arts to reflect upon how our worship can continue to be faithful to the living tradition and simultaneously be relevant to today’s world.

For the past 30 years, composer Marty Haugen has presented workshops, concerts and presentations across North and Central America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. His range of musical compositions continues to appear in hymnals for U.S., Canadian and Australian Catholics, U.S. Evangelical Lutherans, and several other Protestant denominations. His most recently published works include songs of peacemaking (“In the Days to Come”) and simple songs for worship (“Only You, O God”).

About 20 percent of people contribute 80 percent of the time, talent and treasure it takes to run a parish. What makes this 20 percent different? How can we encourage the 80 percent to become more like the 20 percent? Are the 20 percent doing things that repel others? In this presentation, internationally acclaimed speaker and author Matthew Kelly will explore the challenges we face as we seek to engage the actively disengaged members of our communities.

Matthew Kelly is a New York Times best-selling author; his latest release is “Dream Manager.” Collectively his titles have been published in over a dozen languages. Born in Sydney, Australia, Kelly began his Catholic ministry in 1993 at the age of 19. Since then, he has given talks, seminars and retreats in his travels to 50 countries, and has also made numerous appearances on radio and television.

How does the prayer of the preacher become the preaching of a parish in communion with the mission of the Trinity in the life of the world? Can we outline the steps in the process, analogous to the steps of discernment in the Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola and in the phases of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, that lead to Spirit-filled preaching?

Rev. Raymond Kemp, a senior Fellow of the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, is Director of Preaching the Just Word. The former pastor has served as Secretary for Parish Life and Worship and Director of Renew for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. With interests in pastoral theology, liturgy, preaching, Christian initiation, community organizing, urban development and urban politics, Fr. Kemp has written articles appearing in U.S. Catholic newspapers and magazines.

2-14 Multicultural Church – Being Powerfully Catholic (Workshop Closed)

We are many – we are one. We are different – we are one. We are a variety – we are one. Really?! Living in Christ, in the mission of the church, and welcoming all to the table of plenty is a recipe for trouble. Are we in trouble or are we safe and comfortable? Come and be stretched! We’ll be uncomfortable and in trouble together!

Storyteller, speaker, composer and singer, Jesse Manibusan is Director of Two by Two Ministries. With experience as music minister, catechist and youth worker, he travels the country appearing at major gatherings, including the National Catholic Youth Conference and Regional Conventions of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He has composed several collections and has numerous CDs.

Do we see as God sees? Seeing with the eye of God is the Spirit’s gift of Wisdom and Grace. How do we perceive history, politics and economics, those in leadership positions (like choosing the king in the Book of Samuel), and what is happening in our church and in our own lives? Lift your gaze – what at are we supposed to be looking at? What are we to see? Come look, lift your gaze. Meister Eckhart, the mystic preacher, said: “The eye with which I see God is the eye that God sees me with!” Come see God (our eyes are connected to our ears so we will listen to stories of God too).

Megan McKenna is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., but resides in Albuquerque, N.M., and travels extensively in Southeast Asia, South America, Europe, Canada and the United States. She lectures and gives parish missions and works on interreligious dialogue and issues of justice, peace and Scripture, storytelling and cross-cultural mission. She is the anther of more than 30 books and nearly 100 tapes/CDs.

This session will be a comparison of the four Passion stories of Jesus to help us approach his death in a variety of ways – pastorally and homiletically. This is intended for preachers, Bible study leaders, those preparing catechumens to enter into Holy Week with profound appreciation for Jesus’ saving ministry, and for all believers, demonstrating to participants how differences between the Gospels encourage us to use the different presentations to respond to varying pastoral needs. Bring your Bibles!

Fr. Pat Mullen, author of “Dining With Pharisees,” is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, New Testament at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif. A priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, he is a member of both the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. He is a regular speaker at the Religious Education Congress and at annual diocesan conferences of Reno, Nev.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas; and San Diego.

MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, texting, iPods, DVD players, Nintendo Wii … the list goes on. The teens we serve are techno-savvy and media conscious. Like missionaries to a foreign culture, we have to respect their culture while bringing the message of Jesus and using their culture to appropriate it. This workshop will examine current trends and suggest strategies for our ministry.

Since 2003 Mike Patin has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist,” speaking to youth, adult and family audiences in diocesan, regional, national and international settings. He has worked with teenagers and adults in a variety of settings since 1984: Patin has taught at the high school level, has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Theology in New Orleans, and has served on the Board of Directors of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

The urgent challenge in the church in many countries is to overcome a polarization that is undermining our witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we find words that heal division? That is today’s prophetic challenge.

Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, a member of the community at Blackfriars, Oxford, England, has taught theology at the University of Oxford, and was involved in the peace movement. He is past President of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors, and from 1992-2001 he served as the Master of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans). Since then, as an itinerant preacher and teacher, he has given innumerable lectures. An award-winning author, Fr. Radcliffe has authored four books.

We need to take time to smell the flowers; take time to savor special moments; lift our gaze to see anew! When we begin to fully live each moment, we relax and become more creative and happier people. A smile and a joyful spirit trigger others to have good thoughts. Nothing connects us and builds community faster than humor. We improve our mental health and increase trust and hope. As we “lift our gaze,” we begin to see the face of God in each other’s eyes, in a smile, a kind word, an expression of gratitude. This spirituality of connectedness brings us closer to each other and deepens our relationship with each other and with our God.

A Sister of St. Joseph, Anne Smollin is a licensed counselor and group facilitator, lecturer and consultant to businesses and religious communities. She is currently Executive Director of Counseling for Laity, based in Albany, N.Y. The former elementary teacher lectures extensively throughout the United States, Ireland and Australia speaking to religious communities and at conventions and businesses. Sr. Smollin has authored four books.

2-20 “Into Great Silence”: Spirituality and Filmmaking for Catechists (Workshop Closed)

Philip Gröning’s 2006 film, “Into Great Silence,” is an invitation to explore silence within the context of the monastic life of faith; it is a roadmap for a journey most of us would not travel by ourselves. This workshop will consider the grace and mystery of silence, the poetry of cinema and their relevance for catechists in a busy, noisy world.

Fr. Ron Schmidt is a Jesuit priest and documentary filmmaker. He has produced “Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Recipe for Living a Life that Matters” and the feature-length documentary, “An Auschwitz Retreat: Spirituality in a Wounded World.” The former Vice President of Loyola Productions now serves on the Board of Directors of the San Damiano Foundation, based in Burbank, Calif. Fr. Schmidt is also co-producer of our Religious Education Congress Catholic Filmmakers’ Showcase.

Sr. Rose Pacatte is Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, Calif. She is a media literacy education specialist and award-winning co-author of the “Lights, Camera ... Faith! A Movie Lectionary” series; she regularly contributes film essays to The Tidings, newspaper of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Her newest book, with Sr. Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, is “Media Mindfulness: Educating Teens about Media and Faith” and “Into Great Silence: A Film Study Guide,” with Ron Schmidt, SJ.

2-21 Forming Young Disciples through Transforming Methods: A New Paradigm for Adolescent Catechesis (Workshop Closed)

Are teens today well formed in their Catholic faith? What needs to happen in the home and classroom to transform faith formation methods and processes into empowering opportunities toward faith ownership by teens? This workshop will present the strategies by which formers of faith can empower young people to become “catechetical apprentices” in passing on their faith to others through supervised teaching, directed faith sharing and intentional leadership in the parish/school community.

Michael Theisen has been involved in youth ministry and adolescent catechesis for 25 years, authoring more than 15 books and numerous articles. His experience extends from parish Director of Religious Education to Youth Ministry Director at the parish, diocesan and national levels. Theisen is a frequent speaker at the Religious Education Congress and a trainer throughout the United States and Canada. He is presently Director of Membership Services for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

2-22 An Update on the English Translation of the Roman Missal (Workshop Closed)

The International Commission on English in the Liturgy is preparing a revised translation of the prayers we use at Mass. Hear about how the project came to be, what it entails, and where it stands. This session will help you prepare others for the forthcoming replacement of the Sacramentary.

Using the music of Paul Melley, this workshop invites participants to movement and dance that celebrates the “light” of the Good News. Movement to Melley’s “Faith, Hope and Love,” “Let There Be Light” and “Take Lord and Receive” will be taught. These simple dances can be used for a variety of liturgical celebrations.

Fr. Bob VerEecke has been Pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Boston for the past 18 years. In addition to his parish administration, he is a noted liturgist. He has offered workshops on movement and prayer in the United States, Jamaica, Canada, Australia, France and England. Fr. VerEecke is also known for his works in sacred and liturgical dance, especially the Boston holiday performance of “A Dancer’s Christmas.”

Some people are reluctant to add their voice to the praying community. Come learn the secrets of helping the assembly find its voice – from the heart. New music, cantor and choir techniques will be explored. Come ready to sing!

Christopher Walker is an internationally known speaker and musician. His music, especially his children’s music, is sung throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, including Australia. The former Director of Music for the Clifton Cathedral in England is presently Director of Music at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Los Angeles.

There’s more to our faith than just the Bible. In this session, we will reflect on the significance of four very different pilgrimage sites in modern Turkey: Hagia Sophia, Çatalhöyük, Cappadocia and Ephesus. Through image, music and word we will explore how these ancient sacred places continue to speak to our faith today.

Msgr. Thomas Welbers is a priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, where over the years he has served as Associate Pastor, as a member of the Liturgical Commission, and as instructor in many educational programs. He is currently Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont, Calif. Since 2005 Msgr. Welbers has led two early Christian world pilgrimages and is preparing another 40 pilgrims the week after Easter, 2008.

2-26 Everyone Is Called to God’s Table, Even the Ones Who Can’t Sit Still in Their Seats

Adults responsible for educating children with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) often have erroneous information about the condition. This can lead to negative judgments of these children and their families. Dr. Madonna Wojtaszek-Healy will address these myths and give insights on how to evangelize these children and their parents.

Dr. Madonna Wojtaszek-Healy is a Catholic schoolteacher at St. Mary Immaculate School in Plainfield, Ill., and Consultant for Special Needs for the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois. As the mother of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Asperger’s Syndrome, she has presented at the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and at the National Catholic Educational Association, as well as the NCEA Principals Forum and the NCEA Special Needs Forum.

CONGRESS 2008 WORKSHOPS & LINKS
THURSDAY	• Youth Day Info • Youth Day Schedule • Youth Day Workshops
WORKSHOPS FRIDAY: SATURDAY: SUNDAY:	Text Page Links • Period 1 • Period 2 • Period 3 • Period 4 • Period 5 • Period 6 • Period 7 • Period 8	PDF Downloads • Friday Workshops • Saturday Workshops • Sunday Workshops
EN ESPAÑOL VIERNES: SÁBADO: DOMINGO:	TALLERES • Sesión 1 • Sesión 2 • Sesión 3 • Sesión 4 • Sesión 5 • Sesión 6 • Sesión 7 • Sesión 8	• talleres en español
2008 FEATURES	• Youth Day • Theme • Cardinal Online • Comments • Schedule • Speakers • Topics • Order Recordings • Photos • Exhibitor Listing • Exhibitor Categories • Statistics

2008 RECongress Period 2

Religious Education Congress
Friday, February 29, 2008
1:00 - 2:30 pm

2008 RECongress Period 2

Religious Education Congress Friday, February 29, 2008 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Religious Education Congress
Friday, February 29, 2008
1:00 - 2:30 pm