2008 RECongress Period 7
Religious Education Congress
Sunday, March 2, 2008
10:00 - 11:30 am
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Recorded session
7-01 The Future of Liberal Catholicism
John L. Allen Jr.
Liberal Catholicism has been described as bankrupt,
finished, and all but pronounced dead. But is it really? Or will the 21st
century create a surprising renewal for the liberal instinct in the church?
7-02 Liturgical Movement for Children
Learn creative and effective ways to engage children K-8 in
liturgical celebrations, prayer services and classroom activities. Simple
gestures, liturgical dance, ritual and the acting out of Scripture is a
wonderful way to involve our young students in the richness of our faith! This
workshop is about “doing,” so come prepared to move!
Donna Anderle
An accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer, Donna Anderle
has performed movement for prayer and celebration at major liturgical
conventions across the country, including the L.A. Congress. She has four books
of choreography and a CD-ROM on liturgical dance. Anderle is on the teaching
faculty of The Cincinnati Ballet Company and is involved in various outreach
dance programs for Cincinnati inner-city schools.
7-03 The Eucharist: Source and Summit
(Workshop Closed)
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian
life, according to the Second Vatican Council. In this session, Fr. Robert
Barron will explore this central mystery of the faith under the rubrics of
sacred meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence.
Rev. Robert Barron
Chicago-native Fr. Robert Barron first served the Chicago
Archdiocese as Associate Pastor at St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge,
Ill. Since then, he has served as Professor of Systematic Theology at the
University of St. Mary of the Lake-Mundelein Seminary, located outside of
Chicago. His numerous articles on theology and spirituality have appeared in a
variety of journals. He also gives frequent retreats, missions and workshops.
7-04 God Loves Me! Calling Children to Faith Through Song
John Burland
How can we share the great news
that God loves us
with the children in our care? What are some creative and practical ideas for
passing on the riches of our Catholic faith tradition? Incorporating song,
movement and meditative prayer, this workshop will offer a variety of
age-appropriate activities suitable for children at the elementary level.
Catechetical themes such as revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, church, morality,
God’s Kingdom, Sacraments and justice will be addressed during this session.
7-05 Cultivating Spiritual Awareness with Young Adolescents
(Workshop Closed)
This session will explore concrete principles and processes
for helping junior-highers develop spiritual sensitivities and moral
imagination. Examples from the young adolescent paperback series, “Lincoln
Park,” will be used to illustrate these specific dynamics, including the unique
function of adults as spiritual teachers.
Michael Carotta
For over 30 years Michael Carotta has worked with young people
in educational, pastoral, clinical and athletic settings. His recent books
include “Have Faith: A Candidate-Sponsor Resource for Confirmation and Beyond”
and “Lincoln Park,” a junior-high mystery series co-authored with John Shea.
Currently, Carotta serves as the Consultant for Adolescent Catechesis for
Harcourt Religion and teaches graduate courses at several Catholic universities
nationwide.
7-06 The Call of the Catechist
Carol Cimino, SSJ, EdD
This presentation will explore the special ministry and
vocation of those who teach youngsters about their faith. It will offer some
thoughts about what the ministry demands of our personal and spiritual lives,
and how catechists can exemplify what the Acts of the Apostles calls them to
be: “of one mind and one heart.”
7-07 The Once and Future Diaconate: A New Vision for a Renewed
Church
William T. Ditewig
While many people are still discovering the diaconate
renewed by the Second Vatican Council, and while the progress of this renewed
order has sometimes been uneven at best and problematic at worst, the fact
remains that the diaconate is the fastest-growing ministry in the church today.
What is required today, now that we have had four decades of experience upon
which to build, is a renewed vision of the diaconate based on a renewed vision
of the servant-nature of the church herself. This workshop examines the
theological, spiritual and pastoral dimensions of such a vision for the future.
7-08 Holy Week at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Michael S. Driscoll
The cathedral stands out as the Mother Church of each
diocese and it should model good liturgical practice for the diocese. The
Constitution on the Liturgy (par. 41) states, “Therefore all should hold in
great esteem the liturgical life of the diocese centered around the bishop,
especially in his cathedral church.” This workshop will use the Los Angeles
Cathedral as a case study to determine whether what happens at Our Lady of the
Angels is the model for what can happen throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
How is this principle applicable in other (arch)dioceses?
7-09 Helping Kids Develop a Personal Relationship with Jesus
Elizabeth Ficocelli
Children today are constantly bombarded with messages,
distractions and temptations that lure them away from the spiritual and create
an over-emphasis on the worldly. Here are some practical ideas and activities to
encourage children to consciously choose Jesus Christ as their true leader and,
in the process, become happier and more fulfilled followers. Drawing from the
wisdom of Thomas a Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ,” this talk is geared to
teachers and parents who nurture the spiritual development of children ages
8-13.
7-10 “A Word in Your Ear”: Hearing the Word and Putting It
Into Practice
Anthony J. Gittins, CSSp
Attentive listening does not come easily, as the first
disciples discovered. But because they failed to listen, they frequently failed
to learn from Jesus. We will explore the significance of “having ears” in Jewish
culture and will identify some of the “deaf spots” that cause us to be less than
we are called to be. Emphasizing some of Jesus’ concerns, we strive to be more
faithful disciples ourselves.
7-11 Grace under Pressure: Living with Hope and Courage
Dr. Greer G. Gordon
As modern-day believers, we live in a society that is
filled with suffering. For many, that suffering brings with it a kind of
immobilizing pressure that fills them with fear and doubt. From a spiritual
perspective, that doubt and fear must be replaced with hope and courage, which
only come through grace. In this session, a contemporary theology of grace will
be explored, with a particular emphasis on what it means to live with hope and
courage in a society of pressure and despair. This session is directed toward
those working in evangelization, catechetical and pastoral ministries and
spiritual development.
7-12 To Give You a Future with Hope: The Journey of Prayer &
Spirituality for an Intergenerational Church
David Haas
Far too often our tradition and prayer forms seem to
isolate rather than unite. In our prayer and liturgical life, we tend to get
“sectioned off” into different generational and other types of groupings,
usually according to “stereotypes” of style, piety and approach. This session
will be a musical, biblical and prayerful celebration of the many approaches,
genres and resources of prayer that can help all of us – children, youth and
adults together – to become active and engaged participants in the prayer-filled
liturgical, catechetical and sacramental life. Together we will sing, pray and
share stories that hopefully bring us together and form us to become a community
centered in the mission of Christ.
7-13 Inward, Outward, Upward: Henri Nouwen’s Integrated
Journey
(Workshop Closed)
In his book “Reaching Out,” Henri Nouwen presents his own
schema of the spiritual life in a threefold movement reaching out to our
innermost being, to other fellow human beings, and to God. This represents the
inward, outward and upward journey that we all embark upon – weaving psychology,
ministry and theology with spirituality into a seamless whole. In this session
we take a closer look at the integrated dynamics of such a journey.
Wil Hernandez, PhD
Dr. Wil Hernandez works as the Southern California Spiritual
Formation Partners Coordinator for The Leadership Institute, in partnership with
the Denver-based Spiritual Formation Alliance. Hernandez is author of “Henri
Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection,” and he regularly teaches on the
spirituality of Henri Nouwen as an Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological
Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.
7-14 Exciting “New” Gospels? What Catholics Need to Know about
the Gospel of Judas and Other Apocryphal Writings
Felix Just, SJ, PhD
Some astounding claims have recently been made about newly
discovered “Gospels,” such as the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene,
etc. But what value do these works really have? Do they teach us anything new
about Jesus? Why are they so controversial? This talk will explore what we, as
Catholic Christians, should know about these “non-canonical Gospels,” and what
we should teach our children about them.
7-15 The Catechumenate and Conversion to Mission
Rev. Raymond B. Kemp
Have we slipped backward in our adult initiation to just
giving instructions, and missed the challenge of conversion catechesis for
engaging all the initiated in the mission of the church? Can the Lectionary and
the coming synod on the power of the Word bring us back to the wonders of
initiation processes that lead to vocation, mystagogia and mission? Let’s
outline why the young adult generation values this authentic approach.
7-16 Leading in a Time of Uncertainty
(Workshop Closed)
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, PhD
Leading in a transitional time such as ours is both
challenging and opportune. Leaders today are invited to embrace their full
humanity, as they focus on the global reality and their current reality, guided
by principles, values and a clear identity. This workshop will explore how
leaders need to value and utilize the three types of human intelligence –
rational, emotional, and spiritual – and will conclude with how trust is
critical for any group/community to be mutual and healthy.
7-17 Soy Catequista: The Dignity, Vocation and Mission
of the Catechist
The calling of the catechist is one of the most ancient and
venerable vocations in the church. But today the complexity of faith communities
is a challenge to the catechist in his or her concrete situation. This workshop
will focus on what Scripture and Catholic tradition teach us about the dignity
and vocation of the catechist. The workshop is based on a 2006 national
consultation on catechesis in Hispanic communities and is intended to animate
participants to convene Soy Catequista
(I am a Catechist) events in their own parishes and dioceses.
Timothy Matovina
Timothy Matovina is an Associate Professor of Theology and the
William and Anna Jean Cushwa Director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of
American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. In
addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on
U.S. Catholicism and on ministry and theology. His publications include the
recent, co-edited book, “The Treasure of Guadalupe.”
Natalia M. Imperatori-Lee, PhD
Dr. Natalia Imperatori-Lee grew up in Miami, the child of Cuban
immigrants. She is currently Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at
Manhattan College in Riverdale, N.Y. Her interests include Vatican II and U.S.
Latino/a theology. The former co-coordinator of Spanish-language RCIA, has
spoken at the Detroit Archdiocese Pastoral Ministry Conference and at the
National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, and was keynote at the Miami
Archdiocese Youth Ministry Conference.
Michael E. Lee, PhD
Dr. Michael Lee combines academic theological work with years of
experience in catechesis, ministry to the poor and music ministry in various
church settings. He is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Fordham
University, where he also serves at their Latin American & Latino/a Studies
Institute. Dr. Lee writes on Christology, soteriology (study of salvation),
Hispanic and Latin American theology.
Victor Valenzuela
Born in Arizona to parents of Mexican descent, Victor Valenzuela
is fully bilingual and bicultural. He has been in ministry for 20 years,
including classroom teaching, youth ministry, teacher training and writing and
development of new materials. He has presented workshops to numerous groups both
regionally and nationally. Valenzuela currently is a National Religion
Consultant for Bilingual Resources at William H. Sadlier.
7-18 Pastoral Care of the Adolescent: A Church and Community
Challenge
Robert J. McCarty, DMin
At the core of effective youth ministry is fostering the
positive development of young people, even as they deal with a variety of risk
issues and behaviors. This session provides a framework for comprehensive
pastoral care and explores the principles and methods of caring for young people
and their families. Practical strategies for developing life skills, crisis
intervention, prevention programs and building youths’ assets will be explored.
7-19 “I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills”: Living a Contemporary
Liturgical Spirituality
J-Glenn Murray, SJ
We have so often heard that by virtue of our Baptism each
of us has a right and duty to participate fully, consciously and actively in the
church’s liturgy. But what does that mean? How do we enter daily into this dying
and rising of Christ that we celebrate Sunday after Sunday? Having looked to the
hills, having been to the summit, how do we enter into a celebration that leads
us day by day to a union of hearts and minds, that leads us day after day to
answer the burning question: If we worship this way, how can we act any other
way except in justice and in peace?
7-20 Life as Liturgy (Laundry Included)
Is it possible to have a contemplative life when there are
so many demands on our time and energy, and we grow weary of juggling? This
presentation will examine ways of seeing that can help us regain a sense of
balance and renew our faith in the essential holiness of life.
Kathleen Norris
Award-winning poet and New York Times best-selling author,
Kathleen Norris has published seven books of poetry and four non-fiction books
on her spiritual life. A Benedictine oblate since the late-’60s, she also has
several published essays on monasticism. Norris resides in Hawaii, where she
volunteers at her mother’s retirement home and her local Episcopal church. She
travels regularly to the mainland speaking to hospital staff, social workers and
medical professionals.
7-21 Liberation for Communion
Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, OP, PhD
This workshop will explore the primary ecclesiology of the
Second Vatican Council, i.e., the church as communion. Participants will be lead
in a reflection-discussion of their ministry as it contributes to the embodiment
of Jesus’ vision of liberating humanity from sin and all that oppresses to make
salvation – communion with God, other human beings and all creation a reality
referred to biblically as the Reign of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.
7-22 When the Word Lives and Breathes: Reflections on
Bibliodrama
Fr. Erik Riechers, SAC
Bibliodrama is a holistic method of delving into a biblical
text. By laying the text out in a room, the participants have the opportunity of
touching their personal lives to the text and letting the text come in contact
with their personal lives. This session will offer an overview of this unique
and invigorating approach of working with the biblical texts, and offer several
short practical examples of how it is done.
7-23 Interaction in Multicultural Settings
Robert Schreiter, CPPS
Where are we in understanding the interaction of people in
multicultural settings? This workshop will review some of the major approaches
and look at some emerging models and their implication for ministry. (This is a
repeat of Session 6-26.)
7-24 Glocal: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally to Stop AIDS
Carl C. Stecker
Sure, 39 million people worldwide are living with HIV. But
they’re all “over there,” so, what can I do about it? The compassionate and
comprehensive response of the church means
both thinking and acting, both
globally and locally – a “glocal” response. Know your epidemic (educate
yourself and others), know your HIV status, act responsibly (both personally and
corporately), advocate (governments and global community), give (time and
resources), reach out (local and global), and remove stigma and discrimination.
The brief presentation will be followed by stimulating discussion about what the
body of Christ is doing and can do.
7-25 Clustering Parishes: Three Scenarios
Thomas P. Sweetser, SJ & Peg Bishop, OSF
No longer can Catholic parishes remain in isolation from
one another. Today, two out of five parishes must share an ordained priest.
Other parishes are being closed or combined with others close by. Still others
must share staff, ministries and programs because of limited funds and
resources. This presentation will offer three ways to cope with the shortages
and draw out positive results: 1) clustering parishes that includes the
parishioners in the deliberation; 2) providing a way in which priests who
minister in more than one parish can find relief; and 3) sharing best practices
and areas of need among groups of parishes so that all can learn from one
another.
7-26 Seven Commitments to Change the World
Jim Wallis
Some of the most important moral challenges we face today –
global poverty, climate change, human trafficking and genocide – often feel like
huge mountains to move. It’s often not the information, knowledge, technology
and resources that we lack to change the big issues, but rather, the lack of
moral and political will. It’s really a matter of our commitments. This workshop
will explore seven basic commitments that could literally change the world by
providing a “tipping point” on the greatest challenges we face.
7-70 Vietnamese Workshop
Bishop Anton Chuong
