RECongress 2011 - Period 1: Friday, March 18, 2011

CONGRESS 2011 WORKSHOPS & LINKS
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In the course of his work in evangelizing through YouTube, Fr. Robert Barron has encountered four great obstacles for the proclamation of the Gospel in the wider culture. In this session, he will explore each of these and suggest ways to overcome them.

Fr. Robert Barron is a sought-after speaker on the spiritual life – from universities to YouTube, national conferences to private retreats. The theologian and podcasting priest appears on TV, radio and YouTube and has a global media ministry called Word on Fire. Fr. Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Chair of Faith and Culture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. The award-winning author lectures extensively across the United States and abroad.

Music plays an important role in celebrating the sacraments with children, their families and the wider Catholic community. As a formative tool in sacramental preparation, music can assist in reinforcing the unique significance and grace of each sacrament. In the celebration of each sacrament, music can heighten celebration and strengthen the faith of the assembled believers. This workshop will present a variety of music and associated activities for celebrating baptism, confirmation, Eucharist and reconciliation.

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. Burland has worked as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and religious education coordinator for over 20 years in school and parish communities. He is a regular speaker at conventions and gatherings across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

This workshop will deal with the core meaning of conscience from a Catholic point of view. Different perspectives will be presented in order to see clearly the distinctiveness of the Catholic tradition. Examples will be given along with a specific method for teaching the meaning and development of conscience.

Fr. Gerald Coleman is Vice President of Corporate Ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health System of the West. He is also a lecturer in moral theology at Santa Clara University in California. Fr. Coleman has taught both undergraduate and graduate students at the seminary and university levels. The former President and Rector at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif., has lectured widely and published extensively in areas of morality, ethics and pastoral theology.

We are called to stand firm on the promises that God will be there throughout our lives. This enables us to walk confidently and in His peace and love. Come spend some time giving witness in the unique genre of gospel music. You’re guaranteed to be transformed in how you give praise!

Richard Cheri is Director of Liturgy and Music at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church in New Orleans. He has published several musical compositions and has made numerous presentations at liturgical and catechetical conferences throughout the country with his team of liturgical musicians: Jalonda Robertson, Timothy Jones Jr. and Jennifer Broyard Bonam. With the musical contributions of Kenneth Louis, W. Clifford Petty, and Cheri’s young son, Richie, this team of liturgical music ministers has given workshops and provided music at conferences throughout the United States.

Jesus’ commitment to “the Gospel of God’s Rule” colored his whole life, including his prayer. This put him at odds with his own religion’s leaders and those of the Roman Empire. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ teaching on prayer reveals a vision of God’s governance that challenges the prevailing norms of the Empire and organized religion.

Fr. Michael Crosby, a Capuchin Franciscan of the Midwest province, lives in a downtown Milwaukee parish that serves the poor. When not there, he gives retreats, workshops and talks on contemporary biblical spirituality. Fr. Crosby also advises on socially responsible investing. His latest endeavor addresses the positive and negative dynamics around power in our varied relationships. His latest works include “Finding Francis, Following Christ.”

The choices we make become the story of our lives, yet so many of our choices are made from fear – not awareness. We seldom challenge or question the very things that must be questioned. It’s difficult to live life’s questions, y et one act of inquiry has the power to effect great change. How can I dig deep for the courage to ask the real questions and make more empowering choices?

Paula D’Arcy is a writer, retreat leader and speaker. After surviving an accident that took the lives of her husband and oldest daughter, she founded Red Bird Foundation, which supports healing for those in need, and sponsors Womenspeak, international conferences dedicated to worldwide change. D’Arcy is an adjunct faculty member at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio and at Seton Cove in Austin, Texas.

Is Miriam of Nazareth the only young woman in history who has given birth to a sacred child? Or are there nearly 7 billion of us alive this day, each of us “children of God,” heirs of a Holy One whose Spirit overshadowed our birth (Rm. 8:16-17)? Have stones been rolled back for anyone but Lazarus? Dare we hope we might one day pick up the crippled places of our lives and walk on our own? Will we ever be so transformed that our faces shine like the sun as Jesus’ did? These biblical stories happen again and again in our lives. They are unfinished stories. They are our stories. Listen to them, and find them in your life!

Franciscan sister Fran Ferder is a clinical psychologist, university professor, author and international speaker. Since 1985 she has been co-director of Therapy and Renewal Associates (TARA) in the Pacific Northwest along the Oregon coast. She is also an adjunct professor in the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University. Sr. Ferder has authored several books, including “Words Made Flesh” and, with John Heagle, “Tender Fires: The Spiritual Promise of Sexuality.”

This workshop will explore various and creative ways in which Christian communities are called to evangelize, and are re-evangelized for the life of the world and the reign and grace of God. Come and learn to engage your community in this journey of faith.

Since 1990, Fr. Richard Fragomeni has taught at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he is Associate Professor of Liturgy and Homeletics and Chair of the Department of Word and Worship. He has been active in parish renewals and diocesan workshops and has been keynote speaker or presenter at many national events. Fr. Fragomeni has authored a number of articles that have appeared in a variety of publications.

It is said that when asked what he understood by grace, John of the Cross simply answered: Grace is what happens. All of us are meant for God, and our hearts are restless until we rest in the Holy One. As humans we are pilgrims, and our home is the heart of God. What happens to us in life can be seen as the opportunities we are given for recognition. We will explore together the depth of this and attempt to look at events in human existence where we are most clearly offered moments for insight and transformation, invitations to freedom, and the chance to embrace our sacred destiny.

Sr. Barbara Fiand, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, is a consultant, lecturer and author who lives in Cincinnati. She formerly was on staff as adjunct Professor of Spirituality at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago, and as Professor of Spirituality at The Athenaeum of Ohio. Sr. Fiand gives retreats throughout the country and abroad, and has written nine books. Her primary area of interest is the transformation of consciousness and the theological challenges that it invites us to embrace.

We are fast approaching the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II. Over the last five decades, there has been tremendous interest in the theology of the laity. And yet problems remain. Some feel lay ministers are still not sufficiently respected, others worry all the attention on lay ministry distracts from the laity’s obligations in the world. This presentation will consider whether the problem goes much deeper: Should we stop talking about the “laity” altogether?

Dr. Richard Gaillardetz is the Margaret and Thomas Murray/James J. Bacik Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He has published over 80 articles and seven books, and his work has been honored by the Catholic Press Association. A frequent conference speaker, Dr. Gaillardetz was an official delegate on the U.S. Methodist-Catholic Ecumenical Dialogue and served on the Board of Directors for the Catholic Theological Society of America.

1-11 RCIA: The Power and Potential of Liturgical Catechesis (Workshop closed)

Ministers of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and other catechists have employed “Lectionary-based” catechesis for years. Many ask, “Is this enough?” Explore ways to expand this kind of catechesis to include the entire liturgical event. Discover techniques to uncover the riches of the Mass for catechumens and candidates, as well as all those in Christian formation.

Dr. Jerry Galipeau is Associate Publisher at World Library Publications in Illinois. He is past Chair of the Board of Directors of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate and has authored numerous publications. Dr. Galipeau has presented keynotes and workshops throughout the United States and Canada. His popular blog (gottasinggottapray.blogspot.com) provides an arena for those interested in liturgy, music and initiation.

No one is untouched by life’s untidiness. To make our life beautiful – especially in the midst of blotches, brokenness and blunders – requires a paradigm shift. We need to look at life differently. It means giving up our need for perfection. It means finding God’s grace in broken things. It means accepting the blunders as a part of the whole of our life. It means taking ourselves a lot less seriously. It means not dismissing or diminishing the imperfections, but “working them in,” creating the exquisite beauty that is our life.

Terry Hershey is a Protestant minister and landscape designer on Washington’s Vashon Island, near Seattle. He lives, writes and teaches the subject of his tenth book, “The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less.” Hersey, founder of “A Few Things That Matter” seminars and as a national speaker, has presented throughout the country on the topics of relationships, spirituality … and gardening!

October 12, 2012, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening day of the Second Vatican Council. It’s time to re-charge our memories and revisit Vatican II! Using humor, anecdotes, pictures and stories, Bill Huebsch will teach you how to teach about Vatican II back home in your parish or school. Unleash the Spirit of Vatican II once again! This workshop will provide youth ministers, adult educators, pastors and parish leaders with exciting resources and plans needed to teach effectively about the council. Participants will get access to tons of excellent PowerPoint presentations, handouts, teaching plans and other resources.

Bill Huebsch is Director of PastoralPlanning.com, an online resource for parishes and schools. He has worked in diocesan administration, parish religious education and Catholic publishing, and is currently on the adjunct faculty at the University of Dallas’ School of Ministry. In 1990 Huebsch established The Vatican II Project and published “Vatican II in Plain English.” He has also published nearly 20 other books in recent years, along with numerous booklets, articles and screenplays.

Actually, God wants so much more than that! What God wants for each of us is a fulfilled life, a Christ-like life of deep peace and great joy! Yet, often without realizing it, our own patterns of thought (and the behaviors that follow) move us in a different direction. How do we nurture in ourselves – and in the children entrusted to our care – the habits of thought and behavior that lead to meaningful, hope-filled lives? Come hear Fr. Joe Kempf describe and demonstrate – as only he can – four essential strategies for a truly joyful life.

Fr. Joe Kempf, a diocesan priest from St. Louis, is Pastor of Assumption Parish in O’Fallon, Mo., and founder and President of Gospel Values, a non-profit company dedicated to proclaiming the message of Jesus. He is the author of numerous books including" You Want Me to Be Good ALL DAY?” and “Don’t Drink the Holy Water – Big Al and Annie Go to Mass” Fr. Kempf is perhaps best known for his video works which include a series of DVDs for children called “Big Al LIVE.”

Although addressing issues and problems is challenging, adults often struggle more with getting along with one another at work, in community and/or at home. This workshop will focus on respect and genuineness and fostering mutual relating – the attitudes and skills that help bridge the gaps between persons in our ministerial and personal lives – so that we can live healthier, connected and productive lives.

Lynn Levo, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a licensed psychologist, consultant, educator and lecturer. She consults with religious congregations of women and men, dioceses and other organizations and has presented nationally and internationally on fostering healthy integrated sexuality, relationships, intimacy and mutuality. Sr. Levo formerly served as the Director of Education and Editor of Lukenotes at Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md., for 12 years. Currently, she is a consulting psychologist in private practice, based in Loudonville, N.Y.

The profession of youth ministry leaders continues to develop in our Church as more of us consider the role as both vocation and occupation. This session will identify the foundational competencies for youth ministry leadership, the various roles integral to this position, and the factors that often threaten our survival! We will also identify several survival skills and the pay-offs promised to those committed to the young church.

Bob McCarty has been in youth ministry since 1973, serving in parish, school, community and diocesan settings. He is currently Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. McCarty also provides training internationally in ministry issues and skills. He serves as a volunteer in his parish youth ministry and catechetical program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, Md., and his hobbies include, cycling, rock climbing and now grandparenting!

In each and every celebration of the Eucharist, we are sent forth to unfold that wondrous love of Christ Jesus that is the Paschal Mystery – the salvific dying and rising of the Lord. How is this love revealed? This workshop will explore how it is revealed in justice, in works of mercy, in evangelization and in stewardship – all to God’s greater glory and the transformation of the world.

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.

The call of baptism for all people is to holiness and mission. In the vocation of marriage, the journey to holiness is walked in the relationship between husband and wife. That sacred truth is often lost in the day-to-day struggles of work and family. This workshop will invite participants to reflect upon marriage as God’s gift of enduring love – for better or worse!

Dr. Jo Ann Paradise is the National Consultant for Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division, formerly Harcourt Religion. She has served as catechetical administrator in several parishes in the Pittsburgh Diocese for over 32 years and was most recently Director of Parish Ministerial Life and Spiritual Formation at St. Sebastian Church. Paradise has taught in Catholic grade schools and high schools in addition to several universities in Pittsburgh.

Trust and believe in the Good News! These are the first words Jesus speaks to us in the Gospels, and that simple phrase contains his deepest challenge to us. What does it mean to trust? What does it mean to live our lives in trust? What things inside of us and our culture seduce us away from trust and militate against it? How do we hold firm in trust? In this session, Fr. Ron Rolheiser will present an anatomy, a theology and a spirituality of trust.

Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He is a community builder, lecturer and writer. Fr. Rolheiser’s books are popular throughout the English-speaking world and his weekly column is carried by more than 60 newspapers worldwide. For most of the 35 years of his priesthood, he taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

1-20 From Jerusalem t o Ends of the Earth: The Dynamic Vision of the Church’s Mission in the Acts of the Apostles (Workshop closed)

In the Book of Acts, the second of his two-volume work, the Evangelist Luke describes the dynamic work of the Spirit that carries Christianity from its roots in Jerusalem and Judaism out into the Roman world. Although somewhat neglected by many Catholic readers of the New Testament, this profound book offers a challenging and relevant portrayal of what the Church is meant to be.

Fr. Donald Senior is President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he is also 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. He is a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and he was reappointed in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.

1-21 The Bible and the Blues: A Musical Journey in the Old Testament – and the Delta

Blues music, born in the Mississippi Delta, very quickly earned the reputation of being “evil” music. In this session, we will see how this reputation is (mostly!) undeserved, and note there are dramatic parallels between the values, hopes and disappointments of the Blues singers’ lyrics and the biblical themes of lament, sadness and ultimate hope in the Old Testament. Come along and learn something about “Biblical Blues,” and also a bit about American Blues music, a music to be celebrated, enjoyed and appreciated by Christians!

Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher, raised a Quaker, has become extensively involved in adult biblical education in the Roman Catholic Church, and was recently appointed by Cardinal Roger Mahony to serve as a “Permanent Consultant” to the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Theological Commission. Dr. Christopher has served as Professor of Old Testament and Director of Peace Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for over 21 years and has extensive public speaking in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

1-22 What’s Your Decision? How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity (Workshop closed)

Learn the time-tested, trustworthy approach to decision-making based on the insights of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and author of the Spiritual Exercises, one of history’s most influential spiritual tests. This workshop will offer an “Ignatian toolkit” for making sound choices and provide answers to many common questions: What’s important and what’s not when it comes to making choices? Do I trust my gut? What do I really want? Ultimately, this workshop helps us understand that a God decision always precedes a good decision. When we invite God into the decision-making process, we find the freedom to make the best choice.

Jesuit Fr. Michael Sparough is a writer and Retreat Director at the Bellarmine Retreat House, near Chicago. For the past 10 years he has been an instructor of spiritual direction at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. He has given parish mission and conducted workshops in the United States, Canada and Europe for the last 30 years. Fr. Sparough is founder of Charis Ministries, the Chicago Jesuit outreach to adults in their 20s and 30s. His latest book is titled “What’s Your Decision?”

In this session, Jesuit priest Fr. Robert Spitzer provides a way for Catholics to educate our culture about the intellectual sophistication of the pro-life position in words that are both accessible and credible. He will show how this philosophy can be used to make a persuasive case within secular culture – in the media, federal and state government, public education and the legal system – and will discuss his new book, “Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues.”

Fr. Robert Spitzer is currently President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, based in Irvine, Calif., and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership, located in Ann Arbor, Mich. He formerly was on staff as Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and as Associate Professor at Seattle University and Gonzaga University, both in Washington state. Fr. Spitzer has produced six television series for EWTN. He has published numerous scholarly articles and six books.

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, Internet, social sites, texts, while never showing the devastation that sex outside of marriage leaves behind. Students love Pam Stenzel because she tells it like it is, no holding back, yet speaks the truth in love and in a language they 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 her appearance requests were so numerous that she became 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. She has also made guest appearances on numerous national TV and radio programs.

Discipleship is the goal of all of catechesis. The National Directory for Catechesis states it this way: “The fundamental task of catechesis is to achieve this same objective: the formation of disciples of Jesus Christ” (NDC, p. 59). This workshop will focus on this discipleship and the ways in which we can achieve it in our religious education sessions. The six tasks of catechesis, parental involvement and creative, engaging activities will all be part of this workshop. In the end, good, hands-on ideas ready for implementation will be shared.

Victor Valenzuela is the National Religion Consultant for Bilingual Resources for 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, writing and development of new materials. Born in Arizona to parents of Mexican descent, he is fully bilingual and bicultural.

Constantly bombarded by media, how can we utilize technology as ministers in the church? What should we be doing as catechists to utilize 21st-century technology to teach the Word of God? Can we keep up with technology and innovation?

In 2006, Msgr. James Vlaun was named President and CEO of Telecare, the television station of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and currently hosts three of their syndicated shows: “Good News,” “Real Food” and “Everyday Faith Live.” For the past 21 years, he has also hosted “Religion and Rock,” a nationally syndicated radio show. Msgr. Vlaun has authored two books and is part of a mission team that has offered missions in over 40 parishes. In addition, for the past 11 seasons, he ministers as the Catholic Chaplain for the New York Jets.

Come and explore the ways sacred music helps us celebrate the high points of life – with a special focus on funeral liturgies.

Christopher Walker is an internationally known church composer, speaker on liturgical music and choral conductor. Presently, he is Director of Music at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles. Walker’s music is sung in churches worldwide, and he travels frequently, giving workshops and lectures on liturgy, music and children’s worship in countries around the globe. His latest music offerings include a rich variety of songs and psalms.

1-28 Hold Firm … Trust: Three Essential Lessons for New or Weary Catechists and Teachers

As St. Paul sat in a prison cell in Rome, he wrote a personal letter to his protégée Timothy, who was struggling with self-doubt as intellectuals confronted him with complex arguments. Timothy began to doubt that he had the ability to do what God was asking of him. In his letter, Paul implores Timothy to “hold firm and trust” in what God has in store for him. In this seminar we will explore Paul’s lessons in faith and consider how they apply to us in these troubled times of uncertainty. This session is for anyone who has suffered doubt about their own suitability as a catechist or religious educator. It may also be useful for anyone whose role is to support, train or recruit others to the teaching ministries.

David Wells is Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Plymouth, England. He sits on several advisory bodies and working parties for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. He has spoken at conferences throughout the diocese in England and Wales. In his own diocese, he has helped produce learning resources and, most recently, has been involved in helping prepare for Pope Benedict’s September 2010 visit to England. His video series is titled, “You, Your Children and Their Catholic Faith.”

2011 RECongress Period 1

Religious Education Congress
March 18, 2011
10:00 - 11:30 am

2011 RECongress Period 1

Religious Education Congress March 18, 2011 10:00 - 11:30 am

Religious Education Congress
March 18, 2011
10:00 - 11:30 am