RECongress 2020 - Period 5: Saturday, February 22, 2020

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5-01 Pope Francis and the Seven Year Itch: Where Things Stand After Seven Years of a Maverick Pope Arena

Pope Francis has been both popular and controversial especially within the Church in the United States. On the plane returning from Africa in September 2019, he said it was an honor to be criticized by the Americans. His leadership during a tumultuous time in the Church and the world has indeed been criticized by some, but he has also gained the gratitude of the marginalized by doing things such as prioritizing the poor and those in the peripheries and doing things like holding an Amazon synod. Seven years into Francis’ papacy, John Allen unpacks what it’s like to study and write about this pope and speculates on the surprises that are still in store.

Based in Rome, John Allen is President and Editor of Crux, the independent Catholic news site in partnership with De Sales Media, the Los Angeles Archdiocese and Word on Fire. He is the Senior Vatican Analyst for CNN and author of 12 best-selling books on Vatican and Catholic affairs in addition to numerous articles in major publications worldwide. A popular speaker both in the United States and abroad, Allen is author of “Robert Barron: To Light a Fire on Earth” and “Shahbaz Bhatti: Martyr of the Suffering Church.”

5-02 Let Us Walk with Jesus / Caminemos con Jesús (bilingual presentation)

Throughout his preaching and writings, Pope Francis invites Christians to a theology of acompanamiento. This bilingual workshop will explore in word and in song what it means to respond to that call in our ministries and in our daily lives in a way that brings healing and hope to a wounded world.

A través de su predicación y enseñanzas escritas, el Papa Francisco nos ha invitado como cristianos a una teología de acompañamiento. Esta sesión bilingüe examinara por medio de la palabra y el canto lo que significa responder a esta llamada para que podamos llevar a un mundo herido la esperanza y la sanación por nuestros ministerios y en nuestras vidas diarias.

Tony Alonso’s music is sung in churches of a variety of Christian denominations throughout the world. The former director of music appears at workshops and conferences across North America and Europe. Alonso is Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, where he also serves as Director of Catholic Studies. His most recent works include “A House of Prayer.”

Peter Kolar is Editor for Spanish and Bilingual Resources at GIA Publications. A recording artist, composer and speaker in the area of music ministry, he recently served as composer/consultant for Spanish chant settings for the “Misal Romano, Tercera Edición.” Kolar is a board member of the Southwest Liturgical Conference and is also Director of the Diocesan Choir in El Paso, Texas, where he resides with his wife and family.

5-03 Live Wholly – Mind, Body, Spirit: A Mini Retreat and Movement Workshop

Step away from your busy schedule to indulge in a mini movement retreat. Breathe, stretch, create, connect and interact while experiencing prayer in motion and joyful movement. Dance to the beautiful song “Make Us Holy, Make Us Whole” by Mark Friedman – a reflection of this year’s theme. Let go and tap into your artistic side through individual and group improvisations designed to inspire ideas you can weave into your own retreats. Wear comfortable clothes, kick off your shoes ... and be ready to be “in the moment”!

Donna Anderle is an accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer who is nationally known. She is on the teaching faculty of the Cincinnati Ballet and Ballet Theatre Midwest, and is involved in Cincy Dance, an outreach program for Cincinnati inner-city schools. Anderle has choreographed for major conferences, including the National Catholic Youth Conference and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. Her work is compiled in four choreography books and a video with Oregon Catholic Press.

God’s beauty is expressed and manifested in and through cultural diversity. Our catholic (universal) faith is representative of this expression. In this presentation, Ansel Augustine will explore the beauty of various Catholic cultural expressions as well as strategies for overcoming obstacles that prevent us from embracing diversity.

Dr. Ansel Augustine has worked for over 20 years in his hometown of New Orleans and around the country in the fields of youth, young adult and black Catholic ministry. He is on the faculty of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana and is former Director of the Office Black Catholics Ministry for the New Orleans Archdiocese. Dr. Augustine has served on several youth ministry boards and has presented at various national conferences and has written numerous publications related to ministry.

John Burland is an educator and composer who has been recording religious music for children and adults. He is a keynote speaker, workshop leader and published author in the area of music and catechesis. For the past 20 years Burland has been working in Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia. He is currently the Education Officer: Liturgy/Music for Sydney Catholic Schools, where he conducts workshops and faith celebrations. He is also a National Music Consultant for Bayard, Inc. in North America.

Music can be incorporated into catechesis and evangelization to enable us to effectively proclaim what it is that we believe as Catholics. In this workshop, Australian composer and educator John Burland will demonstrate how music and gesture can be woven into religious education lessons and celebrations to deepen understanding and strengthen faith. Using song, John will also show that music is not just a valuable support for learning but an engaging and enlivening resource for evangelization. This session is suitable for children and families at the elementary level and beyond. Come join us as we celebrate our faith and proclaim, “We Believe!”

The fastest growing religion is comprised of people known at the “nones” – who express no affiliation to any religion. This is having an effect on our Catholic faith. Sunday Mass attendance is down as well as baptisms and weddings. Many parish activities are attended by an aging population. Yet, the “nones” are present at many of our baptisms, weddings, funerals, first Communions and at times with family at Sunday Mass. Many “nones” are searchers and seekers. This workshop will offer concrete suggestions for each Catholic ceremony in order to welcome, teach and evangelize the “nones” and many others, too. Let’s not continue to be a part of the problem if we can be a part of a creative solution.

Fr. John Cusick, a priest of the Chicago Archdiocese, served as creator, coordinator and Director of their Young Adult Ministry from 1970-2013. He was also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and at Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. He continues to speak at church conferences and preach parish missions locally and nationally. He published his first book, “Never Be Ordinary,” in 2018.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), provides inspiring direction for all ministry with youth, including our ministry of confirmation. This workshop will explore the implications for our ministry, for families, for sponsors and for young confirmed disciples. This workshop will explore ways to recreate your preparation and follow-through for confirmation to share faith with youth and their families using all the resources of your parish community.

Based in Gig Harbor, Wash., Tom East is Director of the Center for Ministry Development. He formerly served as Director of Youth Ministry and Associate Director of Religious Education for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. East is editor or author of numerous books, including “Leadership for Catholic Youth Ministry.” He is a popular speaker at youth ministry and religious education conferences nationwide and has presented at gatherings sponsored by the Center for Ministry Development and all the major national conferences.

Has your spouse died? Do you minister with people who are widowed? Hear from someone who has been there herself, has advanced education in the field, and has continued to minister with grieving people for 30 years. Learn about grief, what it feels like, what is normal, and what some of the usual patterns are. Then move toward healing – what you and those you minister with can do to move toward wholeness. Finally, we’ll briefly discuss a faith perspective that brings hope.

Amy Florian is a liturgy and bereavement consultant and CEO of Corgenius Inc., a company that teaches professionals how to support clients in transition and loss. She has 30 years of parish and conference experience, has taught in the graduate ministry department of Loyola University Chicago for 10 years, and has authored over 150 articles and four books. Florian travels the country presenting workshops, training sessions and retreats.

Do you worry that holiness and faith aren’t being passed on to your children’s children? If so, this is the workshop for you! Join “Grannie Annie “and “Papa Michael” as they share ideas, games, songs and stories that will help open little hearts to experience God’s love through you.

Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Anne Frawley-Mangan teaches at Holy Spirit Seminary and at Australian Catholic University and is also Sacramental and Pastoral Coordinator at All Saints Parish in Albany Creek. She is an experienced educator, presenter, writer and artist who specializes in using the arts to enhance religious education and liturgy. Frawley-Mangan is also Creative Director of Litmus Productions, which produced “Good News: Dramas from Luke’s Gospel.”

Michael Mangan is a composer, teacher and liturgist from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A former elementary Specialist Music Teacher, he has over 250 compositions that are used in parishes and schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Mangan is President of the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network, a member of the Australian Academy of Liturgy, and Music Director at All Saints Catholic Parish in Brisbane.

5-10 Deaf Ears: How Pre-Evangelization and the Kerygma Help You Speak to People Where They Are Actually At

How do we reach people today who have tuned out to the faith? The key is to “start with why”! This session features practical tips and real-life applications for developing the art of reaching people through pre-evangelization and leading with the kerygma.

Based in Littleton, Colo., Tim Glemkowski is an international speaker who is President and co-founder of Revive Parishes and founder of L’Alto Catholic Institute, a parish partnership program. He has traveled the globe giving hundreds of presentations over the last 10 years to audiences ranging from intimate gatherings to large conferences. His latest book is titled “Made for Mission: How to Change the Culture of Your Parish.”

It takes three types of intimacy for a marriage to flourish. Happily, these are also the basis of our Catholic Christian wedding vows. In down to earth and sometimes humorous ways, Dr. Jim Healy will show how to live these vows more fully and completely.

Jim Healy has spoken in over 90 dioceses on marriage and family topics and his marriage materials are widely used. President of Rooted in Love since 1999, he was Director of the Office of Family Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., from 1989 to 2019. Dr. Healy has served as an advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Marriage and the Family. He was honored with the 2000 Family Ministry Award from the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.

This workshop explores Pope Francis’ insights for modern Christians who are seeking to better understand how to live a faithful life of holiness in the world amid contemporary challenges. Grounded in the Second Vatican Council’s reaffirmation of the universal call to holiness, this spiritual wisdom affirms that all women and men have a vocation, that they are loved first by God and unconditionally, and that we are all then sent as “missionary disciples” into the world to announce the Gospel of mercy with our lives wherever we find ourselves.

Fr. Daniel Horan is a Franciscan friar and theologian who teaches theology and spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and is a columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. He is author of academic and popular articles and his recent books include “Reading, Praying, Living Pope Francis’s Rejoice and Be Glad.” Fr. Horan previously taught at Boston College in Massachusetts, at Siena College and St. Bonaventure University in New York, and has lectured across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America.

5-13 “God’s Gonna Trouble the Water”: The Healing Power Jesus, with Music!

Many people are familiar with the coded spiritual, “Wade in the Water,” but have no idea about the biblical reference of the song. According to the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water; the lungs are about 83% water; the skin contains 64% water; muscles and kidneys are 79%; and even the bones are 31% water. Perhaps, with music, God can “trouble the water” inside us. Using empirical, scientific data and her own personal experiences, ValLimar Jansen will propose strategies regarding how lay ecclesial ministers can use music, in numerous settings, to promote emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing.

Based in California, ValLimar Jansen serves the Church as a composer, singer, storyteller, speaker and evangelizer. She received critical acclaim for her solo albums “You Gotta Move” and “Anointing,” winning UNITY Awards recognition in 2008 and 2010. Jansen was MC for the National Catholic Youth Conference in 2011 held in Indianapolis, was co-MC for the USCCB gatherings at the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, was an invited panelist for the USCCB’s 2017 Convocation on Evangelization, and was a presenter at 2019 World Youth Day in Panama City, Panama.

Many LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) Catholics are secure in their knowledge of God’s love for them and their place in the Catholic Church. Yet, there are still many questions of how to proceed in the world and in a church that still opposes them in many places. We’ll look at how to be tough, be hopeful and be free, as a way to embrace God’s call to be who we are.

Jesuit priest Fr. James Martin is Editor at Large of the Catholic magazine America. He is author of several award-winning books as well as his most recent, “Building a Bridge,” and his upcoming “Learning to Pray.” A popular speaker, Fr. Martin has given presentations at the Religious Education Congress each year for the past several years and is a frequent speaker at national conferences, retreats and parish groups. He has also appeared on several CNN documentaries.

In November 2018, the U.S. bishops issued their first major document on the sin of racism in almost 40 years, “Open Wide Our Hearts.” This presentation will look at the pastoral letter in light of the social challenges that face the nation, especially with the rise of white nationalism and its impact on our social discourse. It details both the new contributions that the letter makes to Catholic teaching and the obstacles that remain for effective action against this social evil.

A priest of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Fr. Bryan Massingale is Professor of Theology at Fordham University in New York. A noted authority on Catholic moral theology and social ethics, he has lectured extensively on ethical and racial justice issues both throughout the United States and internationally. Fr. Massingale has presented at numerous colleges and universities and at most of the national Catholic conferences. He is a past keynoter at the Los Angeles Congress. His book is titled “Racial Justice and the Catholic Church.”

According to research, a factor leading to disaffiliation is the lack of opportunity to talk about faith issues! This session will provide practical skills on how to use symbols, analogy and metaphors in engaging young people in God talk. These skills are applicable to home, classes, youth ministry settings and in our conversations. Further, this session will identify spiritual practices, faith skills and rituals that enable young people to “talk” about God and faith and to live out their discipleship. Participants will also consider the importance of deep conversations so that questions and doubts can be verbalized. Let’s talk about young people and about God!

Bob McCarty is a pastoral ministry consultant and trainer and has been in professional ministry since 1973, serving in parish, school, diocesan and national settings. He is Project Coordinator for Saint Mary’s Press’ research project on disaffiliated young Catholics and author of “Faith Talk” and “The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory and Practice.” McCarty also serves as a volunteer in youth ministry and faith formation at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, Md.

Discipleship is a beautiful and satisfying response to the call of Jesus. It’s also hard. This workshop will dive into the biblical models, considering carefully how the disciples of Jesus both succeeded and failed. Our aim will be to obtain a compassionate understanding of the difficulties all disciples face and to build realistic expectations for ourselves and others.

Fr. Patrick Mullen is Pastor of Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, Calif., and retired Professor of Biblical Studies at nearby St. John’s Seminary. He is author of “Dining with Pharisees” and the high school Scriptures introductory, “Sacred Scripture.” Fr. Mullen speaks annually at the Religious Education Congress and to diocesan priests in Phoenix, Utah and seven of the 12 dioceses of California, as well as at diocesan conferences in Michigan, Maryland, Texas and throughout the Southwest.

Sr. Helen Prejean is known worldwide for her tireless dialogue with citizens and fellow Catholics on the necessity to end government killings. The author of “Dead Man Walking” and “The Death of Innocents” now brings to us “River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey,” which tells of her gradual awakening to the Gospel call to do justice, which led her to death row. She has been a dynamic partner in Catholic dialogue on the death penalty and is eager to share her behind-the-scenes account of Pope Francis’ declaration on August 2, 2018 that the death penalty can never be allowed under any circumstances.

Sr. Helen Prejean, a sister of the Congregation of St. Joseph, is author of “Dead Man Walking,” the book that has spawned an Academy Award-winning movie, a play and an opera. The human rights activist and speaker has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on the death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions. Based in New Orleans, Sr. Prejean travels the United States, Europe and Canada giving talks about her ministry.

Sure, they’re awkward and they can’t sit still, but they’re also not given enough credit for the depth to which they can live out their faith. Junior high teens hunger for more than pizza and Fortnite. As ministers, we must raise the bar of expectation and help these young teens encounter Jesus and lay the foundation of their faith that will impact the rest of their lives.

Speaker and musician Cooper Ray is presently Coordinator of Middle School Ministry at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell, Texas. Drawing from 20 years of professional ministry experience as a retreat facilitator, liturgical musician and diocesan director, he has presented at countless diocesan, school and national events across the country, including the National Catholic Youth Conference, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, Catholic Heart Workcamp and the Steubenville Youth Conferences, among others.

Amid the rapid decline of religious affiliation among youth, there is a curious irony – a Pew Research Center survey has found that the majority of millennials continue to believe in life after death (75%) and miracles (78%). The current scientific investigation of these phenomena has proven to be very effective in helping young people maintain their faith. Fr. Robert Spitzer will first explain the scientific investigation of life-after-death through peer-reviewed medical studies of near-death experiences, as well as seven miracles subject to considerable scientific scrutiny. He will then show how to relate this evidence to faith in God, Jesus and the Church.

Jesuit priest Fr. Robert Spitzer is currently President of the Magis Center at Christ Cathedral in Orange County, Calif., and President of the Spitzer Center. He was formerly served as President of Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009, and has published 11 books and many scholarly articles for which he has won awards. Fr. Spitzer gives over 90 public presentations per year and appears on radio and television, including “Larry King Live” (debating Stephen Hawking), the “Today Show,” the History Channel, PBS and EWTN.

5-21 The New Face of Migration: Sharing the Migrant’s Journey from a Psychosocial Perspective

The people who are forced to leave their homes because of the increasing violence in their home countries find themselves victims of violence during their uncertain journey. Finally, when they have reached their destination and begin to rebuild their lives, they are once again confronted by discrimination and the lack of resources and opportunities. This new migration trend represents several mental health challenges that first must be addressed before we can promote a healthy reintegration of all those who were forced to flee and have the potential to contribute to the enrichment of their hosting countries.

Based in Mexico City and head of Catholic Relief Services Mexico, Cecilia Suarez has over 15 years of experience in social programs with special expertise in Central American migration, farmworker rights, and at-risk youth. Additionally, she has managed rural sustainable agriculture projects that provide opportunities to farmers who are coping with the devastating impacts of climate change. She has presented for CRS in Baltimore and at the international Congress of Health and Migration in Puebla, Mexico.

Our music ministry can profoundly affect, inspire and change those who listen to us and sing with us at liturgy. Developing our own spirituality with our musical skills helps us lead our people on their weekly journey of faith rather than just performing for them. How we “get inside” the words we sing and make them our own helps us be authentic cantors and choir members. Come ready to sing!

Christopher Walker is an internationally known church composer, a choral conductor, a presenter on liturgical music and broadcasts on the BBC Network about liturgical music and other related topics. He formerly served at the Clifton Cathedral in the United Kingdom and is currently Director of Music at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles. Walker is a worldwide speaker on church music and liturgy, and his music for adults and children is sung in churches worldwide. His latest work is entitled “Love Beyond Knowledge.”

A very important but seldom talked about factor in evangelization in our generation is the experience of the Presence of God. Sherry Weddell will cover the Church’s historic understanding of the four basic ways in which human beings experience the Presence of God and the profound implications of encountering the Presence of God for evangelization and the spiritual transformation and healing of individuals and communities.

Sherry Weddell serves is co-founder and Executive Director of the Catherine of Siena Institute, which provides formation in parish and diocesan-centered evangelization and disciple-making. She and her team have worked directly with 170,000 Catholics in nearly 1,000 parishes and 195 dioceses across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Weddell is author of “Forming Intentional Disciples” and “Fruitful Discipleship: Living the Mission of Jesus in the Church and the World.”

5-70 “Phàm ai đã được thanh tẩy trong Ðức Kitô, thì đã được mặc lấy Ðức Kitô” (Galat 3:27)

Buổi hội thảo sẽ tập trung vào vai trò quan trọng của các bí tích Khai Tâm trong Giáo Hội: Rửa Tội, Thêm Sức và Thánh Thể. Qua các nghi thức phụng vụ thánh và phát triển lịch sử, tham dự viên sẽ hiểu rõ hơn về mối liên hệ giữa ba bí tích này và tìm ra các phương cách giúp họ chu toàn ơn gọi nên thánh trong vai trò môn đệ Chúa Kitô qua đời sống hằng ngày.

“For All of You Who Were Baptized into Christ Have Clothed Yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27)

This workshop will present a study on the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. By focusing on the historical development and liturgical rites of the Church, participants will have a better understanding of the interrelationship of these three sacraments and how they help Christians to live out their daily discipleship as a call to holiness.

Thụ phong linh mục cho Tổng Giáo Phận Los Angeles vào năm 2002, Cha Phạm Đức Thịnh đã phục vụ tại Giáo xứ Thánh Gioan Thiên Chúa ở Norwalk, California. Sau bốn năm phục vụ tại giáo xứ, cha đã được gửi sang Roma để theo học chuyên ngành phụng vụ tại Giáo Hoàng Học Viện Sant’Anselmo. Cha đã hoàn tất chương trình cao học của Phụng Vụ vào năm 2010, hiện cha đang làm giáo sư về Phụng Vụ tại Đại Chủng Viện Thánh Gioan, Camarillo, California.

Ordained a priest for the Los Angeles Archdiocese in 2002, Fr. Thinh Pham served for four years as Associate Pastor at St. John of God Church in Norwalk, Calif. Upon completing his first assignment, he was sent to pursue graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome. He completed his License in Sacred Liturgy in 2010 and is currently teaching liturgy at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif.

2020 RECongress Period 5

Religious Education Congress
Saturday, February 22, 2020
1:00 - 2:30 pm

2020 RECongress Period 5

Religious Education Congress Saturday, February 22, 2020 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Religious Education Congress
Saturday, February 22, 2020
1:00 - 2:30 pm