RECongress 2010 - Period 2: Friday, March 19, 2010

CONGRESS 2010 WORKSHOPS & LINKS
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2-01 Muslims and Christians Working Together: Our Call to Solidarity Around the World

Muslim-Christian understanding is one of the keys to peace in our world at this time. Join Catholic Relief Services staff as they share stories of the work of Catholic agencies promoting education and development in partnership with Muslim communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan – work that builds on the Church’s long tradition of serving the people of Asia. We will discuss the challenges and rewards of finding common ground and trust in such circumstances, and how we as Catholics are called to engage our communities in global solidarity.

Maria Arroyo is the Education and Formation Coordinator for Catholic Relief Services-West, based in San Diego. She has over 10 years of experience in ministry as a campus minister, community organizer and Catholic school teacher. Arroyo is a retreat facilitator and, since 2001, has served as an instructor for The Institute of Pastoral Ministry for the Diocese of Orange, Calif. She currently facilitates workshops on social justice/global solidarity in parishes, diocesan events and religious congresses.

Kevin Hartigan, a veteran with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is marking five years as their South Asia Regional Director. Presently based in Islamabad, Pakistan, he has worked for CRS for 20 years – in Asia, Central Africa and Haiti. Previously, Hartigan did several years of volunteer work in Central America, Brazil and Southeast Asia.

In this workshop, Fr. Richard Benson will review the teachings of Catholic moral theology regarding human sexuality, as viewed through the lens of John Paul II’s "theology of the body."

Since 1993, Fr. Richard Benson has served full time at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif., where he is currently Academic Dean and Chair of the Moral Theology Department. The Vincentian priest is a member of the Congregation of the Mission, Province of the West, and teaches fundamental moral theology, Catholic social teaching (social justice) and Catholic bioethics. Fr. Benson speaks on moral topics to groups throughout California.

This one is pretty simple and straight forward. If you like to sing, clap, move and even raise the roof a little, this is the workshop for you. Come join Grayson Warren Brown and a few of his friends for a joyful celebration of the gift of music. Come celebrate, and be sure to leave your inhibitions at the door.

Grayson Warren Brown is an internationally known author, speaker, liturgical composer and recording artist. His latest collection is titled, "Now That the Morning Has Broken the Darkness." Brown began his liturgical ministry in the late-1960s in a small inner-city parish in New York City and has many years of experience working in a multicultural setting. He now divides his time between writing, composing and traveling the country giving workshops, speaking at conventions and conducting parish missions.

In this workshop, Fr. Michael Casey will share guidelines for a more profound practice of the art of sacred reading, derived from an examination of the monastic origins of the practice in their historical context and in their modern application.

Fr. Michael Casey, a Cistercian monk (Trappist), is Dean of Studies and Master of Juniors at Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia. The former prior is a well-known retreat master and lecturer on monastic spirituality, and has been leading retreats, workshops and conferences with monastic communities and other groups in 31 countries around the world. Fr. Casey is author of a dozen books and more than 100 articles. Since 1996 he has served as Editor of Tjurunga: An Australasian Benedictine Review.

Andrew Chinn draws on 25 years of experience as a teacher and musician to offer practical, easy-to-learn songs and movement to enhance the prayer life of children throughout the liturgical and school year. This session is geared for those who work with elementary school children and know the value of music and movement in moving the hearts of children.

Andrew Chinn worked as a classroom teacher in Catholic elementary schools in Sydney, Australia, for nearly 20 years before moving into full-time music ministry as Director of Butterfly Music. Chinn has presented at Catholic education conferences in 20 dioceses across Australia and New Zealand as well as more than 700 Catholic elementary school. He has released six CDs, two DVDs and four picture books, which are widely used.

This workshop will deal with critical bioethical issues raised in the 2008 document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "The Dignity of a Person." Specific ethical and pastoral issues will be discussed: the dignity of every person; the meaning of marriage and family; ethical and medical areas of concern, for instance, in vitro fertilization, freezing embryos, adopting frozen embryos, morning-after pills, RU-486, and the use of vaccines.

Fr. Gerald Coleman has taught courses in moral theology and medical ethics for over 40 years to college, theology and university students. He has lectured widely in these areas and has authored two books. Fr. Coleman is on staff as Lecturer in Moral Theology at Santa Clara University in California and serves as Vice President for Corporate Ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health System.

If your prayer reflects that of Moses in Numbers 11, find hope in the rest of the passage. Youth ministry is tough enough. Why add more pressure by going it alone? This workshop will focus on proven practices on how to develop a youth ministry team to assist you in this important work. Learn how to recruit, train and maintain those called to "share the burden" that pours forth from our baptismal call.

No matter where you stand on the sensitive issue of end-of-life decision-making, the reality is that decisions affecting a seriously ill or dying patient’s treatment and care are made every day. How can you best ensure that your wishes are followed? Do you understand the terms (i.e., euthanasia, assisted suicide, palliative care, artificial nutrition and hydration), the documents (i.e., living will, durable power of attorney, DNR), and the legal and medical implications? What do Church documents say about end-of-life care? Come get factual information so you can have intelligent discussions and learn how to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

Amy Florian is a Liturgy and Bereavement Consultant with over 30 years of experience in parish ministry. She has authored dozens of articles and two books. She also serves as CEO of Corgenius, teaching professionals to support grieving people, and is an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago. Florian has presented sessions and keynotes at parishes and over 20 diocesan conferences; her workshops, training sessions and retreats span the country.

As we come to the close of the first decade of the 21st century we must ask ourselves: Is the principal challenge for the Catholic Church today to continue to implement the teachings of Vatican II or to begin work toward a new ecumenical council?

2-10 Circling the Wagons: Ministering to Junior-High Youth (workshop closed)

An interactive workshop for people who minister to middle-school young people in youth ministry and catechetical settings. Participants will review some common developmental characteristics of this age group, consider discipline tricks and explore some practical strategies for this important ministry.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Carole Goodwin has served in parish, teaching and diocesan ministry. She is presently Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky. For the past 25 years she has focused on ministry to teens and the adults who accompany young people on their journey. She has presented at the L.A. Congress (for 10 years), has presented at youth ministry conferences (for over 15 years), and has presented at National Youth Ministry Conferences (for over 10 years).

While the "ministry" of liturgical music is to empower the people of God to pray in the service of the liturgy, the ultimate "mission" of this ministry (and all ministry) is to nurture conversion and provoke all to live in discipleship. In this session we will celebrate and deepen our understanding of the ultimate call of our sung prayer – to be born again, to sing a "new song," and claim Jesus as the center of our ongoing conversion and to welcome in our lives a new heart, a new way to be children of God. Come ready to sing, pray, celebrate and reflect upon our conversion story, both individually and collectively as Church – the Body of Christ.

David Haas serves as Director of The Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry, and as Campus Minister/Artist-In-Residence at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School in St. Louis Park, Minn. A composer of over 45 collections of liturgical music and author of over 20 books on music, liturgy, prayer and spirituality, he has traveled the world as a workshop and conference speaker, retreat leader, pastoral musician, concert performer and recording artist.

This play, presented in "Readers’ Theater" style, brings to life two of the most important and inspiring spiritual teachers of our time. We learn of their deepest struggles and intuitions, about the meaning of death, prayer, mystical experience, war and peace – and the way of universal compassion and non-violent love, which flows from a life of union with God. We join them in their life journeys of living the Gospel into the forever embrace of the Love of God.

Sharon Halsey-Hoover, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, storyteller, actor, retreat presenter and spiritual director, is the Assistant Director of Bethany, a transitional living program for women, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Calif. She is also adjunt staff member at the Center for Spiritual Development. Her special interests include the spirituality of peace and justice, non-violence and empowering the poor and the homeless, especially women.

David Hoover has degrees in philosophy, theology and spirituality and has a special interest in the contemplative and mystical traditions. He presents retreats and workshops, and is a Spiritual Director at the Center for Spiritual Development in Orange, Calif. Formerly Hoover served in adult faith formation at the parish level, in hospital chaplaincy, and as a member of a Catholic Worker community.

The music we use to sing the liturgy shapes the way we live and see the world. Join us as we explore the importance of the words we put on the lips of our communities and sing music from around the world that call us to lives rooted in Gospel justice and peace.

For over 30 years, liturgical composer and author Marty Haugen has presented workshops, concerts and presentations across North and Central America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. He serves as Composer-in-Residence at Mayflower United Church of Christ in Minneapolis. Haugen has over 35 recordings and 400 published editions. He has served as editor, consultant and contributor to hymnals for Catholics, Evangelical Lutherans and several other Protestant denominations.

Tony Alonso, one of the most prominent voices in contemporary liturgical music, has shared his musical gifts and knowledge of liturgy at conferences across the United States, Canada and Europe. His music appears in numerous hymnals throughout the world. In addition to several published collections of liturgical music, Alonso is author of many books for youth and youth ministers about liturgy. He currently serves as Director of Liturgical Music at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

2-14 "E Abundance": Faith Formation for the Facebook Generation (Age 5 to 105)

Given the rising popularity of the Internet as a means of communication in today’s society, how do we help our parishioners and families – the young and the young at heart – make educated choices about media that will enhance, not detract from, their spiritual formation? Learn more about how we – as parents, parish staff and educators – can make positive use of "new media" outlets such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, podcasts and other social networking devices. Lisa Hendey will review these and other web sites, podcasts and social media outlets, sharing tools for employing new media technologies in your curriculum and parish program planning.

Lisa Hendey is founder and Editor of CatholicMom.com and host of the weekly "Catholic Moments" podcast and the "Catholic Mom" television show, produced by KNXT-TV and the Diocese of Fresno, Calif. She is author of "The Handbook for Catholic Moms," and writes a column for the diocesan paper, Central California Catholic Life, and blogs on faith, family and Catholic new media topics.

ValLimar and Frank Jansen will illustrate how to create an intergenerational, catechetical event for your parish, where people will "pack the pews" and the youth will share in leadership. Learn how to plan and execute this exciting kind of event. Then experience 45 minutes of a dynamic catechetical event, assisted by youth from both the San Bernardino Diocese and the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

ValLimar Jansen is a well-known singer, composer and recording artist. She is also an experienced college professor, a leader of worship and prayer and a workshop presenter at conferences across the United States and abroad. Frank Jansen has been a professional musician for over 30 years. He is a highly regarded pianist as well as composer/arranger in both live and studio settings. This award-winning couple has performed together at countless events and concerts, and has their own CDs.

In this spiritual and theological reflection, the presenters will consider what it means to be a human being in our complex world, how they came to hear and to heed the call of God in their respective lives, and the challenges that they continue to encounter as they seek to be faithful in their discipleship. Drawing on the narratives of Job, Mack (from the novel "The Shack") and the Gospels, we are invited to learn to trust more deeply the presence of God in our lives and the consequences of that presence for us in our lives and ministries.

Irish-born Fr. David Loftus currently serves as Coordinator and Consultant of Adult Education and Catechist Formation at the Office of Religious Education for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. He has facilitated the International Forum for Adult Faith Formation and presently serves as Vice President of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

DJ Florian is Director of Evangelization, Catechesis and Initiation for the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Mich., where he formerly served as Director of Children and Adult Catechesis. He has served the Church for the past 25 years in virtually every aspect of the catechetical enterprise and at every level – diocesan, parish and academic. He moved to Kalamazoo 17 years ago after receiving his master’s degree from the John Paul II Institute in Washington, D.C.

Pope Benedict XVI continued the teaching of his predecessors by issuing a new encyclical letter on Catholic social teaching last summer. This session will examine the major themes of this latest letter on social justice, look at its similarities and differences from past papal teaching, and explore the challenges it gives to Catholics in the United States in the face of the greatest economic crisis to face us in our lifetime.

Fr. Bryan Massingale, a priest of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, is Professor of Theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he has taught for the past six years. A noted expert on Catholic moral theology and social ethics, he has lectured extensively throughout the United States. Fr. Massingale has been a keynote speaker at most major Catholic gatherings, and is current President of the Catholic Theological Society of America and Convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium.

Jesus was born and grew up a Galilean Jew in the first century. This workshop will look at how each of those aspects of Jesus’ background, especially his Jewish identity, helped to shape his ministry. We will look at the Jewish beliefs and practices that were prevalent during Jesus’ life and see how they are reflected in New Testament writings. We will examine Jesus’ attitude toward Jewish law, holiday observances and the temple, and his classically Jewish style of teaching. Rabbi Michael Mayersohn will bring in ritual objects similar to those used by first-century Jews so participants can better understand the Jewish context of Jesus’ life and teachings.

Rabbi Michael Mayersohn is a Reform rabbi who has served as spiritual leader in synagogues in Massachusetts and California. He is also founder and President of the Alliance for Christian and Jewish Studies. Rabbi Mayersohn is an author and teaches classes on the early history of Christianity and first-century Judaism. He also teaches Bible classes to Christian students, offering the Jewish interpretations of Scriptures, and performs Jewish and interfaith weddings.

Our God is about abundance: of life, of mercy and forgiveness, of truth and justice, of peace and hope. But we know our God in Jesus and are given a share in his power and presence in his life, death and Resurrection. The incredible story of the Paschal Mystery is our own story, singularly and with others, and each year we come together to relive and remember this story in our lives and world. We are close to Holy Week – let us prepare to make the story come true again. In the telling of the story the presence of the Crucified and Risen One is summoned to come among us! Be formed in the pattern of Jesus’ death and know the power of his Resurrection!

Dr. Megan McKenna is a theologian, storyteller and writer who works nationally and internationally with dioceses, parishes, religious communities and non-governmental organizations. Dr. McKenna is on the teaching staff at numerous universities and colleges in the United States, Bolivia and Manila. She is an international Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi USA, and travels extensively as workshop presenter, retreat director and preacher of parish missions.

2-20 The Word From on High: The Church on Biblical Interpretation (workshop closed)

Beginning with Popes Leo XIII and Pius XII, continuing with the Second Vatican Council and the establishment of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, the Church has offered practical guidance for interpreting the Bible. This session will examine these key sources in order to help catechists speak with confidence about the Catholic approach to interpreting the Scriptures. Among the documents that will be addressed in terms the layperson can understand and enjoy will be Pope Leo’s "Providentissimus Deus," Pope Pius’ "Divinu Afflante Spiritu," Vatican II’s "Dei Verbum," and the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church."

Fr. Pat Mullen, a priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, is Professor of Biblical Studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif. He is the author of "Dining with Pharisees," and is currently completing a high school introduction to the New Testament. His current focus is the continuing education of priests in the Sacred Scriptures. He has been a presenter at diocesan conferences throughout the Southwest and has presented at the Texas Catholic Conference and the Little Rock Bible Institute.

A national survey of U.S. pastors with responsibility for parish schools was successfully undertaken recently to measure the needs of U.S. pastors and help provide a deeper understanding of the challenges they face in supporting parish schools. This session will report on the findings of the study and offer a series of recommendations for the future. Copies of the study will be provided to those in attendance.

Fr. Ron Nuzzi, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, currently serves as Senior Director of The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He also serves as Editor of ACE Press, a publication wing of the university dedicated to research, curricular and spiritual resources for Catholic education. With teaching experience at every level in Catholic education, Fr. Nuzzi is an author and regular presenter at a number of national educational gatherings.

Do we really believe we are our bodies? Have Christians fully understood and embraced the meaning of bodily resurrection? Especially in a culture that inclines us to treat our bodies as machines or commodities, Christians are called to exercise a prophetic role in affirming and redeeming the body. This workshop will explore the practical implications of this role by showing the relationship between four aspects of embodiment: the "i-body"; the "Social Body"; the "Cosmic Body"; and the "Body of Christ."

Brian Robinette has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and at Saint Louis University in Missouri, where he presently is Associate Professor of Theology in the Department of Theological Studies. He is author of "Grammars of Resurrection: A Christian Theology of Presence and Absence," and writes and teaches in the areas of Christology, anthropology and spirituality. Robinette has given many public lectures and has led several retreats and workshops with young adults.

More times than not, folks who love their God and love their Church have been called "crazy" by those who just don’t understand. As Ministers of Christ, "Crazy Fools" are definitely who we should strive to be in the eyes of the world. For it is the foolish that God uses to shame the wise. This fun-filled workshop will focus on what it means to be a "fool for the Lord." From stories on finding true joy in the midst of life’s great struggles to techniques for conveying that joy to the entire human family, this workshop is designed to uplift your soul and energize your evangelical spirit! Come and find the answers to the question, "Why you so crazy?"

Fr. Tony Ricard, a priest of the New Orleans Archdiocese, 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. Fr. Ricard is also Director of Knight Time Ministries and Chief Editor for Two Knights Publishing Co. He is author of "I Still Believe: A Testimony of Faith After The Storm" and "Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know."

Taken from the title of his latest book, "The Naked Now," Richard Rohr will try to communicate the essential and crucial nature of non-dual thinking for the reform of our politics, our church and our human relationships. He will share the theological, mystical and practical traditions of non-dual consciousness, how we had it, how we lost it, and how it is being rediscovered and re-taught in our times.

Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He founded both the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.M., where he currently lives. He divides his time between local work and preaching/teaching around the world. Fr. Rohr is best known for his writings and numerous audio and video recordings. Many of his books and conferences have been translated into German, Spanish and other languages.

We live in a toxic world that is causing our environment, health and wellness all to suffer. Links have been found between stress and disease, overconsumption and obesity, and illness related to the toxins we consume in our food, water and air. Our Christian faith calls us to care for God’s creation – including our own bodies. One step to reaching our fullest potential is to begin to detoxify our lives. This session will provide lifestyle suggestions to help cultivate dietary awareness, proper exercise, and spiritual rejuvenation. Learn how to make choices that purify your body and the earth. Discover how optimal health can lead to greater spiritual awareness.

Susan Searle is Campus Minister for Western State College in the Diocese of Pueblo, Colo. She also is on the adjunct faculty for the Center for Ministry Development. Searle has 20 years of youth and young adult ministry experience in a variety of ministry settings and has been a speaker for various Youth Days (in Colorado and Las Vegas), and is a retreat leader.

2-26 In the Year of Luke’s Gospel: Themes for Spirituality, Teaching & Preaching

During the Sundays and special feasts of this liturgical year, the global church will hear selections from the Gospel of Luke. This workshop will highlight the distinctive themes of this powerful and compelling Gospel, relating them to spirituality, teaching and preaching.

Fr. Donald Senior is President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a member of the faculty as Professor of New Testament. He is a frequent lecturer, serves on numerous boards and commissions, and is widely published. Fr. Senior is immediate past President of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada and has served as President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. In 2006 he was re-appointed to the Pontifical Biblical Commission by Pope Benedict.

Today’s teens have not been told the whole truth about the consequences of their choices when it comes to sex! The culture hands them a daily dose of sex through music, television, movies, the Internet, social sites, texts, while never showing the devastation that sex outside of marriage leaves behind. Pam Stenzel tells it like it is, yet speaks the truth in love and in a language students can easily understand. Learn how to effectively communicate the message of chastity with your teens.

For years, Pam Stenzel was on the "front lines" as Director of Alpha Women’s Center, until becoming a full-time speaker. Since then, as founder of Enlighten Communications, she has presented abstinence assemblies to private, parochial and public schools around the world. Stenzel, with five videos in 11 languages, now travels both domestically and internationally.

As catechists, we have the privilege and honor of transmitting the faith by our vocation. This is a labor of love that we carry out with much effort and focus. Like all vocations it has its obstacles and difficulties. Incorporating parents is a way that helps us in our faith formation efforts. In this workshop, we will examine the importance that parents are to the process of catechesis. We will also look at possible strategies that can be used to integrate parents in our labor of love. The goal of our efforts are children that are formed in faith through a partnership between parents and catechists.

Victor Valenzuela is a National Religion Consultant for Bilingual Resources at William H. Sadlier, Inc. He has presented workshops to numerous groups both regionally and nationally. Valenzuela has been in ministry for 20 years including classroom teaching, youth ministry, teacher training, and writing and development of new materials. Born in Arizona to parents of Mexican descent, he is fully bilingual and bicultural.

2010 RECongress Period 2

Religious Education Congress
Friday, March 19, 2010
1:00 - 2:30 pm

2010 RECongress Period 2

Religious Education Congress Friday, March 19, 2010 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Religious Education Congress
Friday, March 19, 2010
1:00 - 2:30 pm