Lorraine Hess

Real-World Solutions for the Interpersonal Challenges of Pastoral Ministry

People who work in pastoral ministry need tools to effectively deal with interpersonal challenges. Much like those who work in Human Resources, we must communicate with clergy, ministry leaders, parishioners, and ministry members. This workshop explores proven techniques for getting along with others in the context of discipleship and love of God and neighbor. Through story-telling, humor, scripture, and music, you will discover ways to build relationships that lead to effectively managing challenges.

Fr. Fred Jenga, CSC

The fruit of the Eucharist is service.

This is a reflection on the different ways an encounter with Christ sends us out as missionaries to serve the needs of others.

Thomas Quinlan

Being Sent on Mission: The Evangelized and Evangelizing Parish Leader

The Church calls on us to accompany those on the periphery and share the saving good news of Jesus Christ. But how well do we allow Jesus to accompany and transform us first? Effective leaders experience their own ongoing conversion as the foundation upon which they can help ignite and deepen faith in others. Let’s do some spiritual reflection on our invitation from Jesus to go deep so that we can go out.

Dcn. Matthew Halbach PhD

Seeing With the Eyes of Faith

This presentation presents faith as a way of viewing and interpreting the world around us. It also looks at how we develop this sacred way of seeing, and why seeing with the eyes of faith is so important for effective discipleship.

Deacon Manuel Maldonado

God dwells within the culture

The demographics of the Catholic population in the United States is changing dramatically, especially because of an increase of the Latino / Hispanic population. The Bishops of the United States in their new document “National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry”, state that “At this moment of grace, we the bishops of the United States affirm, once again, that the Hispanic/Latino presence among us is a blessing from God for the Church and for our country.” This reality presents challenges for pastoral ministry and the new evangelization in our parishes and communities. This session will provide some cultural awareness and approaches to minister to Hispanic/Latino culture.

Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor

Dcn. Matthew Halbach PhD

Becoming a Parish of Mercy

This presentation begins by identifying mercy as the primary characteristic of evangelization. Next, accompaniment is explained and identified as a critical pathway for evangelization in parish communities. Lastly, practical accompaniment strategies will be offered.

Jo Ann Paradise D.Min.

Becoming Disciples of the Word: Adult Formation

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Spirit has been urging the Church to respond to the
need for adult formation. We have also been guided to place Scripture at the heart of
formation. How do we help adults to become disciples of the Word, Jesus, when they often do
not understand what is being proclaimed or read? This session will explore how to awaken the
hearts of our adults. We will consider the necessary components for facilitating a transformative
moment immersed in the Word of God.

Sponsored by Pflaum Publishing Group

Kathie Amidei

Engaging Families with Faith:
Why It Is More Important Than Ever and How to Do It Well!

Every Catechetical Church document is clear about the importance of the role of families in cultivating faith. Research is mounting about the urgency of parent involvement to effectively pass on faith from generation to generation. Yet, it remains a challenging paradigm shift in our parishes to integrate family involvement in a child’s faith formation and move toward a partnership between parents and parish. How can you connect with families in ways that enrich the catechesis of children? This session will explore and share some practical ideas and strategies that resonate with families to encourage family faith practices and coach parents to nurture faith.

Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor

Mark E. Ginter, Ph.D.

Sacramental Happiness and Thanksgiving: How “thanksgiving” increases happiness, which, in turn, deepens the celebration of the Christian Mystery.

“Do you want to be happy? Then, be thankful.” Although this is an ancient question and answer, it has only recently resurfaced in theological and catechetical as well as social scientific literature. This presentation will begin with a successful evangelization back to the sacramental life of the Church by a young, adult non-practicing Catholic artist. Then, it will briefly explore an amazing correspondence between the social scientific research on “gratitude” and Catholic doctrine on “thanksgiving,” i.e., the Eucharist.

John A. Cuddeback, PhD

Virtue Formation: At the Heart of the Apostolate

Essential to the Gospel is the call to conversion. The notion of virtue helps us understand, preach, and live what the Lord is calling us to.

Jo Ann Paradise D.Min.

Forming a Spiritual Child in a Secular World

Children are formed from the moment of their conception. Our bodies take shape in our
mothers’ wombs. Our capacity for relationships and our understanding of self also begin to
develop. What is the evidence that allows us to believe that parents can develop a spiritual child
amid the din of secular culture? We will explore the intentional steps that must be included in
“growing a child” who seeks a relationship with God and others in his name.

Sponsored by Pflaum Publishing Group

Kathie Amidei

Making Intergenerational Family Sessions Engaging

Gathering families in intergenerational catechetical settings is impactful! We know it is an opportunity for parents to model faith as they teach their children, as well as form and deepen their own faith. Children are learning from the first and foremost catechist in their lives- their parents. We also know it is challenging to engage multiple generations in faith forming activities that all ages find relevant and meaningful. This session will focus on how to be successful in family faith sessions and offer some ideas that children and adults will learn from and love.

Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor

Lorraine Hess

Are You Grateful? The Power of Gratitude

Recent studies laud the transformative power of gratitude. How it improves our spiritual, physical, emotional, and social well-being. How it builds greater optimism, happiness, and self-esteem. How it strengthens our bonds and feelings of connection to God and one another. How it enhances our health, heart, and immune system. How it decreases stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches. We will unearth the scriptural and physical roots of gratitude and discover the inner "soul" of gratitude, what "makes it tick," and how it can reveal your deepest resources and transform your life.

John A. Cuddeback, PhD

Emphasizing Home Life in a Broken World

The lack of experience of real home life is a crisis of dramatic proportions having direct consequences for evangelization. Revitalizing our own homes is a key step toward renewal for ourselves and those we serve.

Deacon Manuel Maldonado

Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor (This breakout is in Spanish only.)
Cristo vive en mí, porque me eligió

“En esto reconocemos que permanecemos en El y El en nosotros, en que nos ha dado de su Espíritu.” (1 Juan 4:13). La alegría de ser ministro y de nuestro servicio surge de la riqueza de vivir ese Cristo que nos eligió a ser su imagen en el mundo. Esta sesión nos llevará a responder a una pregunta clave para nuestro ministerio: ¿Qué me motiva a ser un líder hoy?

Fr. Tim Donovan

Leading Transitions Without Losing It

Change is inevitable and can often be chaotic. Learn valuable skills and strategies to successfully lead people through transitions, while maintaining your peace.

Darcy Osby

Engaging Parents in Sacramental Preparation

Parents are the primary catechists of their children, but often they are asked to impart what they themselves do not know or have not fully experienced. This workshop will provide practical methods and resources for engaging parents in the sacramental preparation of their children by first equipping them with sacramental experiences, then guiding them in leading their children through that same experience. Participants will receive adaptable plans for parent formation sessions for both First Reconciliation and First Communion, as well as strategies to increase parent participation during formation sessions and at home with their families.

Mark E. Ginter, Ph.D.

Sacramental Happiness and Beauty: How the recognition of “beauty” increases happiness, which, in turn, enhances the celebration of the Christian Mystery.

“Do you want to be happy? Then, focus upon the true, the good, and the beautiful.” Although this is an ancient question and answer, it has only recently resurfaced in theological and catechetical as well as social scientific literature. This presentation will begin with a successful evangelization back to the sacramental life of the Church by a young, adult non-practicing Catholic artist. Then, it will briefly explore an amazing correspondence between the social scientific research on the recognition of “beauty” and Catholic doctrine on true, good, and beautiful worship.

Thomas Quinlan

Effective Parish Catechetical Leadership: Principles and Practices to Reach Your Potential

Modern parish catechetical leadership is filled with many joys and many challenges. In 2017, Tom was asked to literally write the book (Excellence in Ministry: Best Practices for Successful Catechetical Leadership) on how an effective parish catechetical leader functions. The session will be both visionary and practical, with an emphasis on evangelization and missionary discipleship. It will expand well beyond Tom’s book, with practical takeaways to enhance your ministry.

Adriana Visoso

This breakout is in Spanish only.
“¡Dios está con nosotros!”

“Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.” (Mt 28, 20) – “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20)
“La Eucaristía es el modo inventado por Dios para ser para siempre el “Emmanuel”, Dios-con-nosotros”. Y «tal presencia no es una garantía y una protección sólo para la Iglesia –aclaró–, sino para todo el mundo». -Padre Raniero Cantalamessa OFMcap-