1. Fidelity to God and Humanity: How the Human Sciences Can Inform Religious Education Dr. Joseph White (Cosmas and Damian, Pugliese Auditorium)
The new Directory for Catechesis calls us to be faithful both to God and to humanity as we form others in faith and points out how “faithfulness to humanity” means understanding what human sciences like education, human development, and psychology teach us about how people think, grow, and learn. In this session, we’ll talk about how to use what we know about the human person to make our catechesis more engaging and effective.
2. Catechesis in the Period of Purification and Enlightenment (RCIA2) Lori Smith (St. Joseph Center, Classroom B)
Details to come
3. Following God’s Pedagogy: Principles for Children’s Catechesis Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP (JCWC, Gentile Gallery)
God has a unique way of speaking to children and revealing to them the mysteries of his kingdom. In this workshop, participants will discover the genius of the Hebraic/Montessori-based catechetical approach called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Many of the catechetical principles which animate the CGS pedagogy can be applied to any catechetical setting, thereby providing practical measures for authentic catechetical renewal.
4. Young Joyful Missionary Disciples: A New Framework for Youth and Young Adult Ministry Dr. Bob Rice (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)
Details to come
5. Effective Ways to Grow Parish and School Leaders Toward the Church’s Discipleship Vision with the Catechetical Institute (DO) Dr. Mark Ginter (FFH: Performance Room, 2nd Floor)
After working five years in the field with 115 partner dioceses from throughout the world and over 37,000 learners on FranciscanAtHome.com, the CI Partnership Team has identified best practices for effective ways to grow parish and school leaders. These best practices are not merely theoretical, but they are based on real data about the Church’s efforts at disciple-making through the CI Approach. We hope that some practitioners from partner dioceses will attend this workshop and share their experiences with all.
6. Our Life in Christ: The Basics of Catholic Morality (CT2 / YM2) Dr. Eric Westby (Egan Hall, 113)
This workshop offers a summary outline of the basic principles of Catholic morality and how our moral life is rooted not merely in a code of ethics or a set of rules, but profoundly in the Person of Jesus. It discusses some of the major moral issues we face in our society today and equips all who teach the faith, whether youth ministers, catechists, Catholic school teachers, and so on, with the tools to establish a sure foundation for right moral thinking.
7. The Ancient School of Alexandria: What Can We Learn for Our Catechesis and Evangelization Dr. Petroc Willey (Egan Hall, 213)
Ancient Alexandria, in Egypt, was the setting of the first significant catechetical institute in the Church’s history. It was a dynamic presence in the Church from the late second century until the early fifth century. It prepared catechumens for baptism and teachers of the faith for work in evangelization and building a Christian culture. This workshop examines what we can learn from it for our ministry today.
8. The Deposit of Faith: An Introduction to the Catechism (HLT) Dr. Marlon de la Torre (Cosmas and Damian, 206)
The content of this presentation will explore the relationship between the kerygma and the Creed as revealed through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There will be an emphasis on how the Word of God serves as the foundation for the Catechism and its application as a living and breathing instrument of the Catholic faith. Finally, we will investigate the identity and nature of the Deposit of Faith-Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
9. Discernment of Spirits (RT) Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, OP (CTK)
How can we discover and follow the will of God for us? This session will explore how both Scripture and Tradition offer us guidance on discerning the work of the Spirit in our minds, hearts, and lives. From St. Paul to St. Ignatius to St. Catherine, we will learn from the wisdom of those whose lives were Spirit-led how to discern God’s will and embrace it joyfully.
10. Undivided Love; We are Worth the Fight: St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem Gina Bauer (Cosmas and Damian, Room 300)
“The hour is coming, in fact has come.” St John Paul believed in women. In his Apostolic letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women, he summons the women of the church to take the place that God has prepared for them, encouraging them to be more responsible for their high calling in God, lest humanity fall. Women are being called to inspire and influence human change, as the grace is given to them, through the power of God the Holy Spirit, who guides and directs humanity to its supreme calling!