YOUTH DAY 2018 WORKSHOPS Religious Education Congress March 15, 2018 (Youth Day) Anaheim Convention Center
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ARENA KEYNOTE Both Youth Day tracks get to see our Arena Keynote speaker. In addition to the Arena Keynote, you make your choice of two Convention workshops from the remaining 14 sessions held in the Convention Center meeting rooms. Note this year, all workshops will be located in the Arena, Hall B or the new ACC North building, just east of the Arena. Daring Faith  Convention Arena Why did St. Peter step out of the boat and try to walk on water? Why did a woman sick for 12 years reach out to touch Jesus' cloak? Why did St. Paul endure being sent to prison time after time, but kept preaching the Gospel? Why did St. Teresa of Calcutta begin a new religious order focused on service to the poor and sick? Why did they, and so many others, live their faith in such radical and powerful ways? Why did you come to Youth Day? These holy men and women dared to believe, and their belief prompted them to live with a daring faith. We too are invited to live a daring faith – to step out of the boat, to reach out to be healed, to proclaim the Gospel, and to radically serve others, even when it hurts. Katie Prejean McGrady Katie Prejean McGrady is a theology teacher at St. Louis Catholic High School and Youth Director at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Lake Charles, La. She is author of "Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist" and, since 2007, she has been traveling throughout North America and across Canada using her original blend of humor and story­telling to speak at events ranging from small sessions to national conferences. CHOOSE ONE SESSION FROM A-G A   What’s Goin’ On: Culture and Politics  convention Hall B In this workshop, we will take a look at the state of our world. How are we called to respond as people of faith in a world that appears to reject faith? We will also examine some ways to strengthen our faith. Dr. Ansel Augustine Dr. Ansel Augustine has worked for over 18 years in his hometown of New Orleans as well as around the country. He is currently Residence Minister for Student Leadership and Faith Formation at St. John’s University and on the faculty at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Augustine presently serves on the Board for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. He has presented at various national conferences and has written several publications related to ministry. B     How Do You Know?  ACC NORTH 162 If it hasn’t already started, it won’t be long until adults begin asking THE question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" How do you decide? Where does God fit in? This workshop will offer practical tips for discerning where God is calling you. Bob Perron Bob Perron is Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va. For over a decade he has presented his stand-up and storytelling at over 100 parishes and dioceses across the United States and Canada. Perron has been a frequent presenter at the National Catholic Youth Conference, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, and at Youth Day. His most recent book is entitled "Lessons Learned From a God-Sized Family: In a Me-Sized World." C    Becoming a Living Prayer  ACC NORTH 161 St. Francis of Assisi remains one of the most popular figures in history and is spotlighted in a new way with Pope Francis, who takes his name and pastoral inspiration from the saint. Most are familiar with Francis’s life and writings, but few are well versed in "Franciscan spirituality" or "Franciscan prayer." This workshop presents new insights from the Franciscan tradition brought together in a dynamic, creative and engaging spiritual vision. The themes presented provide an introductory approach to the many riches of the tradition named for St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, guiding our youth in renewing their communication with God and seeing the world in a new way. Rev. Daniel P. Horan, OFM Franciscan friar Fr. Daniel Horan is a theologian who teaches spirituality and theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He previously taught at Boston College as well as Siena College and St. Bonaventure University in New York, and has lectured across North America and Europe. Fr. Horan is author of numerous academic and popular articles and books, including "All God’s Creatures: A Theology of Creation" and "God is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude." D     How to "Deal" in a Difficult Family  ACC NORTH 155-157 "Difficult" should be in the definition for the word "family." Everybody struggles with their family. So what can you do when the people who are supposed to help us and support us when life gets hard are actually the ones making it even harder? In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how – with faith, courage and a few tips – you, yes you, can make a difference in even the most difficult family situations. Roy Petitfils, MS, LPC For 20 years, Roy Petitfils has ministered to youth and young adults in parish, diocesan and school settings. Today, he is a speaker and counselor in private practice. Petitfils has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, workshops and parish missions throughout North America. He hosts the popular podcast, "Today’s Teenager," is the author of many articles and has published several books, one of which shares the title of his 2016 TEDx talk, "What Teens Want You to Know (But Won’t Tell You)." E    Living a Life of Meaning – Believing Deeply  ACC NORTH 156-160 "I’m bored." "I don’t care." "Nothing matters." "I don’t matter." "Faith, God and Church; I don’t know what or if I believe in anything." These are not uncommon thoughts and feelings. In fact, they’re pretty normal and are a sign of a great hunger and thirst for meaning and purpose. You might even say that these thoughts are like "angels" trying to get our attention that life is calling us to a deeper relationship with ourselves, with others and with God. In a way, this is the call to not just "go to church," but "be the Church"! This is a life-long process of a deepening awareness of God’s belief in us, and our response to cultivate our trust and belief in God’s love. Jesse Manibusan Evangelizer, energizer and encourager, Jesse Manibusan has over 30 years in ministry as a liturgical minister, youth worker, parish associate, catechist, and parish mission and retreat director. Based in California and founder of Over the Fence Ministries, he has presented at conferences worldwide, including national youth and pastoral musician conferences and international World Youth Days in Denver, Toronto, Rome, Cologne, Sydney, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. Manibusan has several CDs published with Oregon Catholic Press. F    Made for Greatness  ACC NORTH 153 Our lives are constantly in motion and our attention is being divided into multiple directions, but what if Jesus were to offer you something greater than the busyness of the world? Let’s explore our call to conversion and repentance and how it can lead to a life of adventure, virtue and hope! As Pope Benedict XVI once wrote: "Man was created for greatness – for God himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined. It must be stretched. …" Chika Anyanwu Based in Anaheim, Calif., Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic speaker, two-time alumna of NET Ministries USA and is an Area Contact for Life Teen. She has recently appeared at the Catholic Youth Ministry Convention in Arizona; City of Saints in Los Angeles; and Ignite in Brisbane, Australia. Anyanwu is a part of a big Nigerian family, studied English in college, loves coffee, and attempts to make food (meals) that are edible. G    How a Rabbi/Scientist Views Religion, God and Belief  ACC NORTH 151 Rabbi Mike Lotker discusses how his religious faith is informed and strengthened by his scientific training and 30-year career as a physicist. He will discuss the evidence for God’s existence, the truth of the Bible, tackle the question of how a loving God can allow evil and tragedy in the world, and help answer the question of why be religious. Rabbi Michael Lotker Rabbi Michael Lotker Rabbi Michael Lotker spent the bulk of his first career in the alternative energy business, working in wind power, solar and geothermal energy. In 2003, he was ordained a rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. He is presently the Community Rabbi for the Jewish Federation of Ventura County, Calif., and was recently invited to be a Guest Chaplain at the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to his studies, Rabbi Lotker has published a book entitled, "A Christian’s Guide to Judaism." CHOOSE ONE SESSION FROM H-N H   Living Justice, Living Mercy: Matthew 25  Convention Hall B Three billion of the world’s population struggle to survive off of less than $2 a day. Millions of people die of starvation, without homes or clean water, while I sip my Starbucks latte. In Matthew 25, the words of Jesus are very clear: We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world. What does solidarity with the poor mean? And how do we respond as Catholics? This session invites us into a journey with Christ’s heart in service with and for the poor. Mary Bielski Based in New Orleans, Mary Bielski is a youth minister, national speaker and founder of All4Him Ministries. With 15 years in youth ministry and 12 years as a national speaker, she has presented to over 75,000 teens and adults across the nation, from parish missions and diocesan rallies to young adult retreats and national youth conferences, including the Steubenville Youth Conference and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. I     Sustaining Joy  ACC NORTH 162 Quite often our joy is dependent upon "retreat highs" or incredible experiences. But is there a way to carry it into the everyday and the normal? In this workshop, we will discuss how to carry the joy through life’s highs and lows, challenges and difficulties. Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR Originally from South Texas and of Mexican heritage, Fr. Agustino Torres has worked with youth and young adults in different parts of the world for almost 20 years. He joined the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx, and now serves as a member of the General Council for his community. Fr. Torres has founded or helped to establish initiatives in Honduras, New York City, and the Bronx and is founder and President of Corazon Puro and Latinos Por La Vida. J      Eternal Fire: Confirmation Revitalized!  ACC NORTH 161 There is no rite of passage. It is not graduation. Confirmation is an anointing of the Spirit and demands a life of active discipleship. Come recognize the need to set the world ablaze! Doug Tooke Based in Helena, Mont., Doug Tooke is Director of Partnerships for ODB Films and owner of Monarch Catholic Ministries. He has over 20 years of professional ministry experience and has traveled to over 75 dioceses teaching, keynoting conventions and training youth ministers. Tooke has presented at World Youth Day, the National Catholic Youth Conference and the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, and continues to serve as a leader in the field. K     Liked, Re-tweeted and Shared  ACC NORTH 155-157 When something catches our eye, our attention or imagination – an awesome video, a great song, a funny tweet – we want to pass it on. How do we do the same thing with our faith? Mike Patin The "engaging" Cajun, Mike Patin lives in Lafayette, La., and has served the church as a high school teacher, coach and diocesan staff person. Since 2003, he has been a full-time "faith horticulturist," addressing multi-generational groups across the United States and Canada as parish mission presenter, trainer, retreat facilitator and more. Patin has published two books, "A Standing Invitation" and "This Was Not in the Brochures: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry." L    Mark My Words  ACC NORTH 156-160 Words are powerful. They have the ability to build up or tear down. Words allow us to witness and testify to what God has done in our lives. The Word of God is our source of nourishment and strength. How can we grow in understanding God’s Word and let it take root in our lives? We all have access to God’s Word – the truth that can sanctify, encourage, protect us and do so much more. This workshop will take all gathered on an interactive experience of God’s Word through hip hop music and dance. May we become energized, deepen our understanding of Scripture and be ready to "mark God’s Word" every day! Joe Melendrez Catholic speaker and performer Joe Melendrez is a religion teacher and Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hills, Calif. His evangelization ranges from his faith-based clothing line (God Swagg Apparel) to his retreats and hip hop concerts, with appearances at national youth conferences and World Youth Days (both Brazil and Spain) and the God is Good Festival in Germany. Melendrez has three audio CDs: "Rosary Rap," "Fully Alive" and his latest, "Kingdom Come." M    Overcoming Obstacles  ACC NORTH 153 After being diagnosed with scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) at 12 years old, Brandi Milloy was fitted with a back brace that she wore for nearly four years. Targeted for her differences, she was bullied, ridiculed and ostracized by her peers. She excelled in soccer; however, the same month she was offered a chance to play college soccer, doctors told her she would need to undergo extensive back surgeries forfeiting her chances at being a college athlete. Despite these obstacles, Brandi continued to pursue her dream of going to college and becoming a journalist. Her talk will focus on the importance of keeping the faith, trusting in God’s plan and trusting in God’s timing. Brandi Milloy Brandi Milloy is host and producer for POP­SUGAR Food’s shows "Eat the Trend" and "Get the Dish," is a regular contributor on the Cooking Channel’s "Unique Sweets," and serves as a judge on chef Guy Fieri’s show, "Guy’s Grocery Games," on the Food Network. Milloy has also appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Access Hollywood." Off camera, her appearances have spanned from local high school events to regional and national conferences. N    Are You Ready to Leave a Mark in the Catholic Church?  ACC NORTH 151 Do you have a place where you can share your faith, not only with your peers but with the Church? Are you willing to share your stories of faith so we can learn from you? Many times I hear teens complain, "I don’t know if I want to be Catholic because I will not be able to do the things that I like to do." But as Mike Patin says, "God is not asking you to stop being you, he is just asking you to include him in your everyday life." During this session, we will explore different ways to help you invite your Catholic faith to be part of your everyday life. Katherine Angulo Born in Mexico and raised in Colombia, Katherine Angulo is fluent in English, Spanish and French. She has over 18 years of experience in youth ministry. Presently, she is Associate Director of Youth Ministry at the Office of Formation and Discipleship for the Atlanta Archdiocese. Angulo is Editor of The Mark Catholic teen magazine and Executive Producer of the volunteer training program, Called to Accompany/Llamados a Acompañar. She has presented at numerous diocesan and national events.

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