Steubenville Conferences

1.   Jesus: The Christocentricity of Catechesis (CT1)  Marc Cardaronella (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)

At the heart of catechesis, we find Christ. In essence, the job of the catechist is to teach Christ and everything in relation to him. In this workshop, you’ll learn seven essential ways to center everything you teach on the Person of Jesus Christ.

2.   The Four Last Things (CT2/ CS2)  Dr. Mark Ginter (Egan Hall, Room 113)

The Big Questions: Who made me? Why did God make me? What is my purpose? Where am I going? What happens when I die? These are burningly urgent and profoundly relevant questions. How Divine Revelation answers these questions right up to our last breath is essential for meaning in life. We’ll correct common myths about the “Four Last Things,” provide suggestions for teaching these amazing truths, and address the powerful curiosity we all have about crossing that final threshold.

3.  Kerygma: Key Doctrines (PCL1 / CS1/ YA)  Fr. Drake McCalister (Cosmas and Damian, Room 300)

The basic proclamation of the good news of Jesus’ saving life, death, and Resurrection, known as the kerygma, is about giving the gift of belonging — the call to a life within a love beyond all telling. This workshop lays out the essential elements of this most important story, enabling those who teach, share, and witness to more effectively unfold its surpassing beauty to other souls. Knowing the kerygma is essential in leading others to a saving faith in Jesus.

4.   Legal Issues for PCLs: Ecclesial  & Civil (PCL2)  Gigi Zapiain (Cosmas and Damian, Pugliese Auditorium)

All professions, particularly those serving minors, have legal implications, and parish catechetical leadership is no exception. This is an introduction to matters concerning civil and ecclesial law and their impact on parish religious education programs, though each diocese and state will have its own particular implementation. Ignorance in these matters is not bliss-it could be liability.

5.   Liturgical Components of the Christian Initiation Process: Gateways and Sources of Grace for Conversions (RCIA1)  Gary Norris (St. Joseph Center, Classroom A)

What are the liturgical components of the RCIA / OCIA process in each period? This will include minor and major rites; however, there are many liturgical components that are to be incorporated gradually by period in the process separate from the major and minor rites. Actually creating liturgical people is a prime objective of the RCIA/ OCIA process, and that will be the focus of this presentation.

6.  Catechesis in the Catechumanate: Faith, Hope, and Love  (RCIA2)
Dr. Scott Sollom (St. Joseph Center, Classroom B)

Details to come

7.   The Role of the Family and Community in Youth Ministry (YM1) Gina Bauer (FFH Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)

This workshop will explore St John Paul II Apostolic Exhortation, On The family while also giving best practices on involving family and community in our youth ministry programs.

8.    The Church Goes Forth: Missionary Outreach to Teens (YM2) Kris Frank (JCWC, St. Leo Room)

Looking at Jesus as our model of ministry, this session will explore how to reach teens who are not initially interested in youth groups. We will explore best practices to engage new teens and invite them into the Church and a relationship with Christ.

9.   The Six Types of Working Genius: A Resource for Diocesan Leadership Teams (DO)  Dr. Chris Burgwald (FFH: Performance Room, 2nd Floor)

With Patrick Lencioni’s new model for collaborative teamwork — The Working Genius — we are able to be more self-aware, more fruitful and more successful by better understanding the types of work that bring us fulfillment and the types of work that frustrates us. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Working Genius framework: what it is and how they can incorporate it into their ministry.

10.   The Trinity: Developing a Relationship With God in Daily Life (HLT)
Jeremy Duo (Cosmas and Damian, 206)

The Mysterium Mysteriorum: The mystery of mysteries. Here’s the one mystery that most people give up trying to understand before they even try. A mystery, however, is not something we cannot know anything about, but rather something that we cannot entirely understand. Yet, that does not mean that we cannot know some things–especially when those things have been revealed by God. Better yet, what we can know about the Most Blessed Trinity can forge our paths toward sanctity.

11.    Contemplative Study (RT)  Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP (CTK)

All who work in catechetical ministry should take as their own the Dominican motto: contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere, for indeed our work is to contemplate God’s truth, beauty, and goodness and to hand on to others the God we contemplate. Contemplative study is so much more than reading the catechism so as to “proof-text” an apologetic lesson; it is an occasion to ponder the Face of our Beloved First Truth.  Don’t forget to bring your Catechism.

1.   Sacred Scripture: The Big Picture (CT1/ PCL2 / CS1/ HLT)  Mary Ann Wiesinger-Puig  (Egan Hall, Room 113)

This session will introduce participants to biblical catechesis through an ancient catechetical technique: the use of the Story of the Bible. Often we fall into the habit of teaching individual topics without reference to the greater context of salvation history. In order to draw others into the life of God and the Church we have to help them make this Story of the Bible their own. Everything that the Church teaches makes sense when delivered within the context of the Story of the Bible.

2.   Analyzing Doctrine With Doctrinal Keys (CT2 / PCL2/ RCIA2)  Dr. Ron Bolster (Egan Hall, Room 213)

The Church expects her catechists and teachers to provide a complete and systematic delivery of the Deposit of Faith. But where is the time? Do you ever find yourself asking, “What must I teach? What do they have to know?” This workshop will introduce you to a technique of analyzing doctrine so that you can answer these questions with confidence and deliver the Deposit in a life-changing way. We will consider doctrine in its fundamental catechetical components, the “keys” to the Deposit.

3.   Teaching Catechesis for Conversion (PCL1/ CS1)  William O’Leary  (Cosmas & Damian, Pugliese Auditorium)

Catechesis should always seek to foster conversion. How can you catechize for conversion? This workshop will explore how one can teach toward conversion for young people and adults.

4.   Magisterial, Conciliar, and Catechetical Documents I (PCL2)  Dr. Martha Drennan (JCWC, St. Leo Room)

Details to come

5.   The Evangelizing Classroom (CS2/ PCL2) Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM   (Cosmas and Damian, Room 300)

Details to come

6.   Catechetical Components of the Christian Initiation Process: Illuminating and Securing the Path of Faith (RCIA1)  Gary Norris (St. Joseph Center, Classroom A)

This presentation will cover all the catechetical components of the RCIA/OCIA. The responsibilities of the team and the catechists will be covered with focus on what catechetical content is appropriate to each period. Discussion of differences in approach from period to period will assist RCIA/OCIA leaders and catechists to grasp what are the critical topics pertinent to each period and how to effectively and gradually complete each catechetical objective appropriate.

7.   Catechesis in the Mystagogy and the Neophyte Year (RCIA2) Patty Norris  (St. Joseph Center, Classroom B)

The Sacraments of Initiation are just the beginning of a lifelong journey. The Mystagogy and the Neophyte year are essential to help the neophytes lean into the grace of the sacraments received. This workshop discusses ideas to facilitate on going conversion that will lead to a firm conviction and clear Catholic world view.

8.   Forming Teen Missionary Disciples (YM1)  Kris Franc  (FFH Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)

Getting teens to a youth group event is an accomplishment. But helping them grow into a true disciple is the goal. This session will examine how we form young missionary disciples and give practical steps on how to facilitate opportunities that embolden and empower them after encountering Christ.

9.   The Necessity and Practice of Mental Prayer (HLT)  Jeremy Duo  (Cosmas and Damian, Room 206)

The Mysterium Mysteriorum: The mystery of mysteries. Here’s the one mystery that most people give up trying to understand before they even try. A mystery, however, is not something we cannot know anything about, but rather something that we cannot entirely understand. Yet, that does not mean that we cannot know some things–especially when those things have been revealed by God. Better yet, what we can know about the Most Blessed Trinity can forge our paths towards sanctity.

10.   Personnel is Policy (DO)  Ken Ogorek (FFH: Performance Room, 2nd Floor)

Getting the right person hired for any position is more than half the battle for the successful performance of important leadership jobs. This session offers practical tools and tips for interviewing, orienting, and providing meaningful supervision for your coworkers in the vineyard of evangelization and catechesis ministry. While no one bats a thousand when it comes to hiring, a few solid practices will go a long way toward forming and leading your effective team.

11.   Entering into the Sabbath Rest (RT)  Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP (CTK)

Pope St. John XXIII famously quipped that the job of being pope never disturbed his sleep because his last prayer of the day was: “It’s your Church, Lord. I’m going to bed.” So many of us do the work of God as it if all depends on us, and for this reason, we struggle with stress, discouragement, and “burn-out.” Maintaining peace in the midst of our work requires us to excel at the one thing necessary: being able to rest in the Lord.

Catechesis for Conversion:
The Kerygmatic Approach (CT1)
Marc Cardaronella
(JCWC: Gentile Gallery)

Catechesis is a moment in the overall process of evangelization. Ideally, it happens after conversion and deepens faith. But what happens when the people who show up for catechesis aren’t yet converted? You must evangelize while you catechize, not simply informational but transformational. This workshop shows you how.

2.  The Church: Dispenser of the Mysteries and Guardian of the Deposit of Faith (CT2)
Fr. Drake McCalister
(Egan Hall, Room 113)

The Church is the Body of Christ and his continued history on earth. The graces entrusted to her make possible the holiness of humanity; the revelation of truth entrusted to her guarantees our access to the truth. The mission entrusted to her engages all human endeavors and transcends all human failings so that God’s Spirit can go forth to fulfill Christ’s call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). This workshop will focus on the nature of the Church and her sacramental mission.

3.  Personality and Profile of the Successful PCL (PCL1)
Gigi Zapiain (Cosmas & Damian, Pugliese Auditorium)

Although the duties of Parish Catechetical Leaders are as unique as the parishes they serve, there are enduring qualities that every successful PCL possesses, no matter their job description. Come discover what those qualities are and how your own talents and abilities harmonize with this vital parish ministry.

4.  Catechesis for Persons with Disabilities (PCL2)
Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM (Cosmas & Damian, Room 300)

Details to come

5.  The Mission of Catholic Schools and the Role of Teachers (CS1)
Dr. Amy Roberts (Egan Hall, Room 213)

Pope Benedict XVI stated that “Every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God,” and Pope Francis affirmed that “Catholic schools remain essential places for the evangelization of the young.” This workshop will examine the mission and essential marks of Catholic schools, the role of teachers in carrying out this mission, and effective mission implementation for today’s students and families.

6.  The Catechumenal Process: A Modern Restoration of an Ancient Practice (RCIA2)  Dr. Scott Sollom  (St. Joseph Center, Classroom A)

Details to come

7.   Forming Souls Through Small Groups (RCIA2)  Ann Lankford (St. Joseph Center Classroom B)

Joining with other Catholics for study, reflection, and prayer is exceedingly helpful to the spiritual journey of participants. This workshop will focus on how to guard the vision for and benefit small groups: to enter more deeply into relationship with Jesus Christ so that we can truly love and serve others out of our love for him.

8.    The Spirituality of the Youth Minister (YM1)  Dr. Bob Rice  (FFH, Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)

Details to come

9.   The Liturgical Nature and Sacramental Life of the Church (YM2)
Dr. James Pauley (JCWC, St. Leo Room)

Pope Pius X understood “active participation” in the liturgy to be the source of a new flourishing in the Christian life. As we consider the new ardor, methods and expressions needed in youth ministry today, the liturgy remains the high point and the source of every effort toward the evangelization of young people. In this workshop, we will explore the liturgy’s connection to evangelization and concrete ways that youth ministers can help stimulate a new flourishing in sacramental living.

10.   Relational Administration and Accompaniment in Diocesan Ministry (DO)  Dr. Chris Burgwald (FFH Performance Room, 2nd floor)

Accompaniment and relational ministry are demonstrably the most fruitful approach to virtually every method of formation. But what does this look like in the context of diocesan ministry? How can diocesan administration be cast in a relational, accompaniment mold? This workshop will address these and related topics, equipping participants to make relationships the heart of diocesan ministry, and in so doing bear abundant fruit.

11.   Contemplative Prayer (RT)
Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP and Teresa Hawes (FFH)

The Catechism teaches that “prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him” (CCC 2560). Every person is called to experience the depth of God’s thirst which manifests itself in a most profound way in contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer isn’t the extraordinary prayer of the mystic: it’s the ordinary prayer of every sinner who wishes to become one.