2008 RECongress Period 4
Religious Education Congress
Saturday, March 1, 2008
10:00 - 11:30 am
= Recorded
session
4-01 What’s Wrong with Assisted Suicide? Understanding the
Evil of Euthanasia
Richard Benson, CM
This workshop will enable participants to understand the
church’s clear teachings about assisted suicide and euthanasia. Similarly, this
workshop will help participants know how to respond to secular arguments that
try to justify and legalize assisted suicide.
4-02 From Anthropology to Cosmology: A New Look at the Message
of Job
(Workshop Closed)
A careful reading of the Book of Job can lead us away from
anthropocentric concentration on human suffering to theocentric reverence for
God. A consideration of cosmology is the avenue for such a move.
Dianne Bergant, CSA
Dianne Bergant is Professor of Biblical Studies at the Catholic
Theological Union in Chicago. A past President of the Catholic Biblical
Association of America, she has been an active member of the Chicago
Catholic/Jewish Scholars Dialogue for the past 20 years. Sr. Bergant has served
on the editorial board of The Bible Today, and now is on the editorial boards of
Biblical Theology Bulletin, and Chicago Studies.
4-03 Discipline and Punishment: Why One Works and the Other
Only Appears To
Discipline that gives life to students’ learning can be a
path to self-discipline. Punishment and its cousin, zero-tolerance, are
roadblocks on that path. This session will cover ways to help our students
become self-disciplined, 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 and legitimate needs of
others.
Barbara Coloroso
Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and
author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent
conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. The former classroom teacher,
laboratory school instructor and university lecturer is now an educational
consultant for school districts, the medical and business communities, the
criminal justice system and educational associations throughout the world.
4-04 Francis of Assisi: Model of Contemporary Discipleship
Michael H. Crosby, OFMCap
St. Francis of Assisi began his movement to “see anew” in a
way that made the Gospel come alive in the world exactly 800 years ago, in 1208.
Since then he has become one of the world’s most revered and emulated saints.
While much of popular piety around St. Francis involves bird feeders, Michael
Crosby will show how the saint is an exemplar for all, offering a positive,
creative and joyful alternative to the violence in the world around us and the
problems in the institutional church.
4-05 What’s Enough?
Paula D’Arcy
In an age of excess and consumerism we are easily caught up
in a system of “more” – having more, doing more, expecting more, needing more.
When does the wanting end? Something within knows that there is a truer way to
live. What’s enough? Instead of acquiring “things,” what if we embraced the
practice of love, the practice of “enough”?
4-06 Helping Children and Teens Develop an Ethical Foundation
Discover the keys to getting children and especially teens
to act in ways that maintain dignity and respect for themselves and others by:
1) resisting the use of unethical means to reach a desired end; 2) defending
others whose dignity and rights are being violated; and 3) doing the “right
thing” even at personal inconvenience or cost.
Constance Dembrowsky
Constance Dembrowsky is an internationally recognized speaker
and educational consultant for school districts, juvenile justice programs,
special education associations and parent groups. A former teacher in
elementary, junior high, high school, university and juvenile prison, Dembrowsky
is author of curriculum programs in the areas of self-esteem, personal and
social responsibility, and mastering anger/resolving conflict.
4-07 Visions and Dreams: Seeing the Diaconate Anew
It has been 40 years since Pope Paul VI reinstituted a
permanent diaconate in the Latin Church. While there has been considerable
growth and success in making use of this renewed ordained ministry, serious
questions remain. This workshop proposes a new vision for the diaconate, a
vision that not only responds to the emerging needs of the church but also takes
more complete advantage of the as-yet-untapped potential of the diaconate.
Deacon William T. Ditewig, PhD
Dr. Bill Ditewig has had a diverse professional career: Hebrew
and Russian linguist, Naval officer, diocesan official, member of the senior
staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and college teacher. He is
presently Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Leo
University in Florida. Deacon Ditewig has been keynote or speaker on theology
and the diaconate at several national conventions and more than 125 diocesan
events. He is author of numerous books, chapters and articles.
4-08 Eucharist: The Sacrament of Charity
Stemming from the 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist,
Pope Benedict XVI published in February 2007 an apostolic exhortation entitled
Sacramentum Caritatis
(the Sacrament of Charity). The pope lays out three major dimensions for
consideration: the Eucharist as a mystery to be believed; the Eucharist as a
mystery to be celebrated; and the Eucharist as a mystery to be lived. This
workshop will explore many of the themes that this post-synod document raises
particularly focusing on the liturgical dimension.
Rev. Michael S. Driscoll
Michael Driscoll is Associate Professor of Sacramental Theology
and Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to a theoretical
appreciation of the liturgy, he is actively involved in pastoral practice,
having worked as choir director and liturgical consultant. He is currently
Director of the Graduate Program in Sacred Music and the undergraduate minor in
Liturgical Music Ministry. He is an active member in the North American Academy
of Liturgy, serving as President in 2002.
4-09 God is in the Bits! Using New Media and the Internet in
Parish Ministry
A wonderful way to imagine the merits and consequences of
being digital is to reflect on the difference between bits and atoms. In one
world, information is delivered to us in the form of atoms: newspapers,
magazines, books. In the other world, weightless information bits travel
globally at the speed of light. Different rules apply! This talk explores the
uses and possibilities for youth and adult leaders wishing to understand “new
media” and the Internet for catechetics, evangelization and community
connections. The implications of social networking, video publishing, blogging
and other Web 2.0 capabilities will be examined via real-life examples on the
Internet.
Fred Fosnacht
Fred Fosnacht began his career in youth ministry and adult
religious education. Later, as a senior partner of Andersen
Consulting/Accenture, he became the lead of the Communications Industry Group
Wireless Internet Practice. Fosnacht also serves as CEO of Catholic Content,
LLC, a global initiative to “capture, index and share the oral tradition of the
church for the next millennium,” found on the Internet as MyCatholicVoice.com.
4-10 Seven Steps to Praying Better: Or, Why Do I Feel that God
is Far Away?
Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni
This workshop is designed for participants who want to pray
better, and just don’t know how. Examine the prayer styles of saints and of
those who struggle to be holy. Learn about the blocks to prayer and the need to
pray simply as Jesus did. Think about what it means to pray even when God seems
far away. This will be a time for reflection and in-search during a busy life
... and a busy Congress schedule!
4-11 A Shared Praxis Approach Revisited
(Workshop Closed)
Thomas Groome, PhD
It is over 25 years since Tom Groome proposed his “shared
Christian praxis approach” to religious education and catechesis. Since then,
this approach has been embraced throughout the world – in cultures from Korea to
Sweden, Australia to Lithuania, being widely praised and criticized, with its
principles and dynamics reflected in many religion curriculum series, both
Catholic and Protestant, liberal and conservative. After these many instances of
a shared praxis approach, he will reflect with participants on what he has
learned from the past 25 years and the assets/adjustments of this approach to
serve the church’s catechetical ministry today.
4-12 Moral and Immoral Culture
How moral is American culture? For some, it is the world’s
best hope for personal, economic and religious freedom; for others, it is
materialistic, pornographic and secular. How should Catholics evaluate their
culture? What positive elements can be built upon?
James L. Heft, SM
Fr. James Heft, a Marianist priest, is currently the Alton
Brooks Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, where he
is also Founding Director and President of the Institute for Advanced Catholic
Studies. He has taught for 30 years at the university level, and formerly served
as provost and chancellor at the University of Dayton, Ohio. He has written and
edited seven books and published over 150 articles and reviews.
4-13 Live Simply!
Bill Huebsch
“God calls us to look hard at our lifestyles and to choose
to live simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with people who are poor,” states
the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). This requires us to create
a daily lifestyle that embraces such values. It calls us to teach our children
about it. This workshop will explore practical ways to live simply, sustainably,
and in solidarity with the poor – living it in your life as well as teaching it
in your parish as a key part of lifelong faith formation. Using materials
developed in Great Britain by CAFOD, you will be offered access to powerful
personal and parish resources, all rooted deeply in Catholic social teaching.
4-14 One with the Risen Lord: A Spirituality of Ministry
The Lenten journey finds its completion in Easter – a
season that proposes a spirituality of ministry for the church, newly born from
Christ on the cross. Beginning with the proclamation of Christ’s Resurrection,
we learn about seeing the Risen Lord but also believing without seeing. We learn
what it means to know and heed the Shepherd’s voice. By way of reflection and a
new collection of songs, Bob Hurd and Anawim will explore this spirituality of
ministry opened up by the season’s readings. This workshop will help catechists,
liturgists, musicians, lectors, those working with Christian Initiation, and all
worshipers prepare for the Easter Season.
Bob Hurd and Anawim
Bob Hurd has served as a teacher, composer, and liturgist in
various pastoral and academic settings. He currently teaches in the Graduate
Pastoral Ministries Program at Santa Clara University in California. His music
appears in a number of hymnals in this country as well as abroad. Over a 10 year
period, Hurd and Anawim recorded some of this country’s most popular and widely
used worship music. The members of Anawim include Dominic and Kathleen MacAller,
Marie Hodgson, John Gilb, Barbara Bridge, Jim Drollinger, all of whom serve as
music ministers in the archdioceses of Los Angeles and Portland, Ore.
4-15 Finding a Deeper Love: Tell Stories, Teach Lessons, Sing
Songs – Now Dance
Many of life’s greatest moments and our most profound
memories contain elements of music and story. Come and experience how music and
story can shape a spirituality that will lead to a deeper love of Jesus. He
calls us to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Experience how music and
story can lead us closer to this greatest kind of “spirituality.”
ValLimar & Frank Jansen
ValLimar Jansen is a highly regarded singer, cantor, recording
artist, college professor, leader of worship and prayer, and a workshop
presenter at major conferences. She has toured throughout the United States,
Europe, Israel, Jamaica, Japan and recently sang in Italy for the Pope. Frank
Jansen has been a professional musician for over 30 years. He is a
well-respected composer, arranger, teacher and performer. Often, this
husband-and-wife team performs nationally.
4-16 A Call to Joy
Matthew Kelly
Do you feel stressed? Overwhelmed? Do you feel your world
is in a delicate balance that would fall apart if you didn’t keep going at
breakneck speed? Slow it down … pace yourself … take a deep breath … you are not
alone … and the life God has dreamt for you is waiting … all you have to do is
show up. In this session, Matthew Kelly will share about a time in his life when
he experienced this common and often unspoken struggle. He will reveal what he
has learned and how he overcame this battle that we all find ourselves immersed
in at one time or another. Most of all, he will share with us the deep, lasting
joy he has found and show us the way.
4-17 The Book of Revelation and Popular Culture
The Book of Revelation generates enormous interest in the
church and wider society. People wonder whether the book offers coded
predictions about the future and whether it relates to current events in the
Middle East and other parts of the world. These questions create an opportunity
to explore it for ourselves. We will look at some of the current popular ideas
about Revelation and the future of the world, and then take a look at the Book
of Revelation itself. What we find in this last book of the Bible is an engaging
encounter with God, the Lamb, and ourselves. It is a book that can be meaningful
to Christians everywhere.
Craig R. Koester
Craig Koester is Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary
in St. Paul, Minn., where he has taught since 1986. His many writings have
focused on Revelation, John’s Gospel, and Hebrews. He has lectured widely for
students, clergy and lay audiences. Koester is a pastor in the Lutheran church
as well as an Associate Editor of the
Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
4-18 Youth Ministry Leadership: The Dance of Passion and
Professionalism!
Servant, steward, coordinator, animator: As our
understanding of youth ministry evolves, our image of the leader must change as
well. This session will identify foundational understandings of ministry and the
various images of the youth ministry leader operative in our faith communities.
We will also identify the fundamental competencies and dimensions of the youth
ministry leader – blending passion and professionalism!
Robert J. McCarty, DMin
Bob McCarty is Executive Director of the National Federation for
Catholic Youth Ministry, based in Washington, D.C. He has 34 years in
professional youth ministry in parish, school and diocesan roles. Author of
several books and resources, McCarty presents on ministry issues internationally
and serves in his home parish, St. Francis of Assisi, as a catechist and youth
ministry leader.
4-19 Catholic Teaching on Racism: Present State, Future
Direction
Fr. Bryan Massingale, STD
The United States is becoming a more multiracial society.
This forces us to confront the legacy of past injustice and continuing
discrimination. This session looks at recent developments in Catholic reflection
on racial injustice, and the directions needed to address this social evil.
4-20 The Gaze that Saves: Eucharistic Worship Outside Mass
In our celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, Christ, by the
power of the Holy Spirit, is made present. He saves and sets us free. It is the
Father’s relentless love for us made real in that meal where we keep memory of
Christ’s sacrificial death and salvific Resurrection. It is a love that endures
in the Blessed Sacrament and our worship of Christ, who is waiting, wanting and
willing to be present to us in good times and bad.
J-Glenn Murray, SJ
Fr. J-Glenn Murray, a member of the Maryland Province of
Jesuits, 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 U.S. Bishops’ Committee on
Liturgy and the Black Catholic Secretariat. In addition to his other duties, Fr.
Murray maintains a busy national speaking schedule.
4-21 Putting on the Mind of Dawn: Toward a Spirituality
of Awakening
(Workshop Closed)
The most wondrous gift of God is the miracle of the human
mind. When the mind awakens, it is like a new dawn breaking forth within us. All
the energy that nourished our fears, anxiety and negativity now works for our
healing and transformation. Jesus is the new priest of awakening light. Through
allowing himself to fall into the dark abyss of crucifixion, he awoke and
released the perpetual light of resurrection. The awakening mind fills with the
youthful resurrecting light. To inherit the Paschal Mystery is to put on the
mind of dawn – to open the secret door to freedom, renewal and creativity.
David Whyte (Originally scheduled with John
O'Donohue, PhD)
John O’Donohue is a poet, priest, philosopher and prolific
author of works which include his best-seller, “Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic
Wisdom.” He lives in the West of Ireland and speaks Gaelic as his native
language. O’Donohue is a popular seminar lecturer and speaker at major
conferences throughout the United States and Europe, and he holds two annual
retreats, one in Ireland and one in the United States. He is currently working
on a book about the teachings of 14th-century mystic Meister Eckhart.
4-22 Ecumenical Eucharist Today
Kenan B. Osborne, OFM
Can Anglicans and Protestants receive the Eucharist at a
Catholic Mass? Can Catholics receive the Eucharist in Anglican and Protestant
services? Can Catholics receive Eucharist in the Orthodox, non-Uniate churches
and vice versa? On these issues what is the legitimate practice and theology in
the Catholic Church today? How can we explain the Catholic position to our
students?
4-23 Early Christian Writings that Didn’t Make Canon: Should
We Pay Attention to Them?
There has been much hype about some of the apocryphal
writings and archaeological discoveries, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of
Judas, and many others – not to mention “the tomb of Jesus,” as if there had
been a great conspiracy to conceal “the truth.” Let’s see where they came from
and assess their usefulness for the life of faith.
Sr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ
Sr. Carolyn Osiek is the Charles Fischer Catholic Professor of
New Testament at Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University. She is a
Past President of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical
Literature. Sr. Osiekis is a former Associate Editor of
The Bible Today
and New Testament Book Review Editor of the
Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
She has lectured and taught in many countries as well as across the United
States.
4-24 Engaging the Total Parish in Catechesis: Gathering the
Tools
(Workshop Closed)
Dr. Jane Regan
We have heard the terms or have used them ourselves: whole
community catechesis, parish-wide programs, lifelong learning, total community
catechesis, intergenerational formation. Perhaps you have made some
significant changes in your parish setting in order to bring these ideas to
life. This workshop explores the questions: What are the planks that form the
foundation for parish-wide, lifelong catechesis? What tools do we need to bring
these together? Whether you have the foundation laid or are still studying the
blueprints, this workshop with its mix of theory and practice could be helpful
for you.
4-25 Don’t Touch Me! (But Try to Touch My Soul): Catechizing
Kids with Asperger’s Syndrome
Madonna Wojtaszek-Healy, PhD
Current estimates are that one of every 166 children the
United States has a condition that falls on the autism spectrum. Kids with the
highest functioning form of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, pose difficulties in
social interactions during school or religious education sessions. Knowledge of
the condition and ways to improve one’s ability to evangelize these children and
their parents will be addressed.
4-26 Discipleship for Dummies: Know Him, Love Him, Serve Him
All of us search for the answers to life. It is only
natural to want to know how we can find true fulfillment in our often hectic
lives. If only there was a simple way to achieving true happiness. If only
there was a simple way to answer life’s most difficult questions. Well, there
is! The answer to all of life’s questions is just Know Him, Love Him, Serve Him!
This interactive and fun workshop will explore the meaning of life and how we
can live out that meaning as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Rev. R. Tony Ricard
Fr. Tony Ricard is a priest of the New Orleans Archdiocese. He
currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in New Orleans and
as one of the Core Instructors for Church Doctrine at Xavier University's
Institute for Black Catholic Studies. He also serves as the Director of Knight
Time Ministries and as one of the Chief Editors for Two Knights Publishing Co.
Fr. Ricard is author of “I Still Believe: A Testimony of Faith After The Storm,”
about how his life and ministry were forever changed by the devastating effects
of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
4-27 The Art and Science of Parish Leadership
There is both an art to and a science in leading a parish.
The art is the intuitive, sensitive side of sizing up a situation and knowing
what is the right course of action to follow, what are the good decisions to
make. It is the art of leading that gently challenges people to change and grow
when they are out of synch with Gospel imperatives. There is also a science to
parish leadership. This includes the aspects of management, structure and
organization. This side of leading takes place in the head more than in the
heart. This presentation investigates both of these aspects, suggesting that a
blend of both offers the best approach to parish leadership.
Thomas P. Sweetser, SJ
Thomas Sweetser, a Jesuit priest of the Wisconsin province, is
founder and current Director of the Parish Evaluation Project, based in
Milwaukee. He has taught at the Institute of Pastoral Studies, a department of
Loyola University of Chicago, at the University of Dayton, Boston College, the
University of Seattle, Retreats International and Loyola University in New
Orleans. His articles have appeared in numerous Catholic publications and latest
book is called “Keeping the Covenant: Taking Parish to the Next Level.”
Peg Bishop, OSF
Peg Bishop is Co-Director of the Parish Evaluation Project,
based in Milwaukee. She joined the PEP Team in 1997. Before that she worked for
three years with Honeywell, where she taught Team College and offered
communication skills to manufacturing employees. She served seven years as a
diocesan Director of Religious Education, five years as a regional DRE, six
years as parish DRE, and 10 years as an elementary teacher in Ohio. She is a
member of the Sisters of St. Francis from Tiffin, Ohio.
4-28 The Church and the Gospels of God’s Reign: An Asian
Perspective
The core of Jesus’ Gospel was the Reign of God. The
church’s mission is centered on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Reign of God.
This workshop will explore this theme amidst the hungers and dreams of Asian
peoples.
Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, STD
Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle is Bishop of the Diocese of Imus,
Philippines. He is Rector of the diocesan major seminary and teaches in various
schools of theology in Manila, Philippines. Bishop Tagle is a former member of
the International Theological Commission in Rome. He is a member of the Council
of the Synod of Bishops, and is also Chair of the Office of Theological Concerns
of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences.
4-29 Home is a Holy Place Too!
We know how to improve the real estate value of our
properties and how to decorate our homes. But how about giving our homes a
spiritual spring cleaning? Are our homes happy as well as busy places? In this
session we will look at the health of the domestic church and consider ways in
which we can help ourselves and others to reinvigorate our homes as holy places.
We will draw upon the inspiration of the Bishops’ Conference of England and
Wales to consider the joy and struggles of the church in the home. Let us
consider how to open the doors and windows of our homes to the Redeemer! An
informative, practical and moving experience!
David Wells
David Wells is Director of Formation for the Diocese of
Plymouth, England, where he is responsible for adult education and training. He
has served on many national and regional committees in the United Kingdom.
Wells, a nationally recognized raconteur and storyteller, has appeared on TV in
several countries.
4-70 Vietnamese workshop
Sr. Theresa Phan
(CORRECTION TO WHAT APPEARS IN REGISTRATION
GUIDEBOOK)
