The Office of Faith Information - Diocese of Rockville Centre

A Disciple’s Response to the Call for a New Evangelization

Please Note: Pre-registration is almost complete. Please contact your pastor for more details about how you can be included in the parish pre-registration discount of $25/person. Open registration at $35/person begins very soon!

Information:

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013

Time:  8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Place: St. John the Baptist High School,

1170 Montauk Hwy, West Islip, NY. Tel: (631) 587-8000

Registration Process:

Step One: Pastors will pre-register those who will be attending from their parish.

Step Two: Once we have received the names and email addresses for parish participants, we will send an email to each participant so they can register for the workshops they would like to attend.

Step Three: Those not included in their pastor’s pre-registered group will be able to register during open registration, which begins after June 1, 2013. Please note the difference in fees.

Cost: Pre-registration: $30/person or $25/person for 10 or more; Open Registration after June 1: $40/person.

Schedule:

• Morning Prayer & Homily (Bishop Murphy)
• Keynote Address (Rev. John E. Hurley, CSP)
• Morning Workshops
• Lunch & Exhibits
• Afternoon Workshops
• Mass (Bishop Murphy)
• Special Blessing of Catechists (Bishop Murphy)

Keynote Speaker

Rev. John E. Hurley, CSP, DMin, Department of Evangelization, Archdiocese of Baltimore, will offer a keynote address on the theme of the Congress.

Getting Off on the Rite Foot: Planning and Preparing the First Sacraments

Description: An in-depth look at preparing young people for  Reconciliation and Eucharist. Learn how to make these sacramental celebrations come alive for your students with prayerful rituals, new music. and storytelling.

Presenter: Mark Friedman (RCL/Benziger). Campus Minister at St. Ursula, Cincinnati Ohio, B.S. Education, M.A. Pastoral Ministry. National workshop presenter and published composer of Catholic Liturgical Music.

Teaching Is Ministry: Exploring the Six Tasks of Catechesis

Description: This session examines the six tasks of catechesis which focuses on how catechists can best model our greatest teacher, Jesus. Theology and catechesis will be woven together with prayer, music, storytelling and a bit of humor.

Presenter: Mark Friedman (RCL/Benziger). Campus Minister at St. Ursula, Cincinnati Ohio, B.S. Education, M.A. Pastoral Ministry. National workshop presenter and published composer of Catholic Liturgical Music.

Inviting Parents to the Holiness of Their Lives

Description: An interactive session from which you will emerge with a good number of practical, effective methods to better engage parents in the faith formation of their children.

Presenter: Tom McGrath (Loyola Press), B.A. Theology, M.A. in Spirituality, Author of Raising Faith Filled Kids: Ordinary Opportunities to Nurture Spirituality at Home. VP, Product development at Loyola Press. Husband and father.

New Evangelization in a Culturally Diverse Parish

Description: This workshop offers an analysis of major transformations in Catholic parishes throughout the country as they become more culturally and linguistically diverse. Together we will discuss pastoral strategies to respond effectively to this important dynamic in the context of New Evangelization.

Presenter: Hoffsman Ospino, Ph.D in Theology  & Education. Director of Graduate Programs in Hispanic Ministry, Boston College.

Keys to Proclaiming the Word: The Task of Catechesis

Description: The mission to which Jesus called us is: “Go … make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all that I have told you.” How do we do that? How do we help people to understand God’s Word and their own mission in faith? We will discuss the goals of catechesis outlined in both the General and National Directories.

Presenter: Saundra Kennedy (Sadlier), B.A. Special Education; Masters in Religious Education; Ph.D in Education and Religion. Catholic school teacher. Sales representative, consultant and national workshop presenter.

So Different! Very Dedicated! So Diverse! (Engaging Today’s Adult Learner)

Description: Do adults learn differently than children? Yes! Are adults dedicated to their on-going learning and formation? Yes! Do adults have varying needs? Yes! We will explore some of the engaging, involving and faith-filled ways to invite and walk with adults on their journey of faith.

Presenter: Janet Schaeffler OP. A facilitator of days of reflection/retreats/ parish missions, workshops, author, college professor, facilitator of online course (University of Dayton and Boston College). Involved in parishes and archdiocesan ministry as Director for Adult Faith Formation (Archdiocese of Detroit).

The Spirituality of Young Parents

Description: A workshop designed to help you understand what parents feel is important to pass on to their children as they grow in relationship to God. What challenges do they face in today’s world? What can the Church community offer to support them?

Presenter: Lucia M Barthes has an MA Theology, is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a catechist, and retreat leader.

Servant Leadership = Leadership Style for Ministries

Description: We will discuss the skills, behaviors and attitudes of the servant leadership style and management development for ministry leaders.

Presenter: Larry Boone has a PhD in Business Administration, is Associate Professor at St. John’s University, and Adjunct Professor at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Description: The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a special celebration of the Word of God celebrated during a specific Sunday Mass. Generally children in grades one through six participate in this special encounter with the Word of God. This workshop will prepare members of the parish to offer this worthwhile approach to hearing the Word of God for children.

Presenter: Mary Alice Piil, CSJ is a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY and is currently the Director of the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Sr. Mary Alice received her PhD from the University of Notre Dame, and holds an MA in Liturgy and a BS in Education. Committed to faith formation, Sister Mary Alice served as Professor of Liturgy at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception and as Director of Deacon Formation for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. You may know Sister as the co-host of Every Day Faith Live, a Telecare weekly news show.

Re-Imagining Your Infant Baptism Program for the New Parent Generation

Description: Are you looking for a new approach to your Infant Baptism program?  Do you find that you are no longer reaching the young parent of today? This workshop will present a new model for the preparation of parents for the Baptism of their infant. The model seeks to actively engage the young family in the sacramental life of the church by offering both the witness of believers and the experience of the active faith community.

Presenter: Mary Alice Piil, CSJ is a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY and is currently the Director of the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Sr. Mary Alice received her PhD from the University of Notre Dame, and holds an MA in Liturgy and a BS in Education. Committed to faith formation, Sister Mary Alice served as Professor of Liturgy at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception and as Director of Deacon Formation for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. You may know Sister as the co-host of Every Day Faith Live, a Telecare weekly news show.

Parent Meetings for the Religious Education Program

Description: How to present ideas, what to offer, ideas for “giveaways”.

Presenter: Ellen Zafonte serves as Associate Director for Children & Youth in the Office of Faith Formation at the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and has an MA in Pastoral Studies from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.

How Technology Can Help (or Hinder) Catechetical Ministry

Description: We will explore the many ways today’s digital, social, and mobile technology can enhance (not replace) catechetical ministry. We’ll also discuss how to deal with the many challenges and obstacles to effective and fruitful catechesis that our hi-tech culture poses.

Presenter: John Romanowsky serves as Associate Director for Media Technology in the Office of Faith Formation at the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and has an MA in Theology from Dominican House of Studies, and a PhD in Theology from the Catholic University of America.

Special Needs Ministry: Here I am God: Do You love me?

Description: Working with children whose special needs require small groups and/or individual catechesis to help them prepare to receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation.

Presenter: Mary Anne Russo has a B.S. in English, M.S. in Elementary Education, and an M.A. in Theology. She serves as a facilitator in the Faith Formation Program for Children with Special Needs at St. Frances de Chantal Parish, Wantagh, and has served as the Associate Director for Ministry with Persons with Special Needs for the past six years.

Volunteerism in Today’s Church: A Healthy, Holy Perspective

Description: For believing, fully initiated Catholics, volunteering as a lay minister is what it means to be Church. After taking a quick look into the developmental history of lay ministry since the time of Christ, we will examine the joys and challenges of lay discipleship today and discuss some positive practices to nurture its growth.

Presenter: Estelle Peck has a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Theology, served as Pastoral Associate in Liturgy & Family Life at St. Brigid’s in Westbury, and now serves as Director of Pastoral Formation Institute.

Chastity for Healthy Relationships

Description: This workshop will give you the tools you will need to talk to teens about healthy relationships. Chastity, in relationships, gives teens the freedom to be themselves and gives them the clarity to make healthy choices. In this workshop you will be given the tools needed to educate our teens on:

• The difference between abstinence and chastity
• The difference between love and lust and how to “spot the lie”
• The benefits from setting boundaries in dating relationships
• How to have healthy dating relationships
• And much more!

Healthy relationships are defined as ones that you are truly free to be yourself, let’s educate our teens, and give them the gift of freedom!

Presenter: Maureen Brady. High School Abstinence Educator

Heart to Heart: Service-Learning to Servant-Leadership

Description: Reflecting with God through the process of theological reflection can assist young people and those who companion them to see the Heart of Christ as the Other. This workshop will include a discussion of the ways in which service-learning leads to servant-leadership.

Presenter: Patricia Leonard has an MA Theology, Advanced Certificate Spirituality, serves as an Associate Professor at St. John’s University, and Senior Lecturer St Joseph’s College.

Praying With Children

Description: As catechists, we have done a wonderful job of passing on our rich heritage of praying; but have we taught our children to pray? How do we move the children from “prayers” to “prayer” to the quietness necessary to listen and respond to God?

Presenters: Lee Abseck and Susan Mirabella. Lee Abseck has her MA Theology and is a graduate of “Companions for Prayer” Program (Loyola Press). Susan Mirabella has an MA in Theology, an Advanced Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, and is a Graduate of Companions in Prayer.

Catechesis & Teenagers

Description: This workshop will survey the spiritual landscape of teenagers as well as some practical ways to help form teenagers in the 21^st century. If teens are the future of the Church, then the time to serve this often neglected segment of our parishes is now.

Presenter: Thomas Acemoglu has a BA Religious Studies, and MA Theology and Christian Ministry, and serves as Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst.

Catastrophe and Crisis, Managing the Psychological Trauma For Those Involved In Ministry

Description: Catastrophe and Crisis present a wide range of traumatic stress reactions in survivors of powerful traumatic events.  Assisting families and individuals during this difficult time requires pastoral staff members to understand the nature of traumatic stress and basic techniques that will offer support and care. We will discuss lesson planning, discipline, prayer, parent communication, and the complexion of your class.

Presenter: Raymond Shelton, PhD is Fellow American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and Director Professional Development National Center Crisis Management.

Renew Your Vision: Bridging the Gap Between Religious Ed & Youth Ministry

Description: This workshop was inspired by the USCCB document, “Renewing the Vision”, in hopes for a more effective and comprehensive plan for Youth Ministry. How does Religious Education fit into a plan for parish Youth Ministry? This workshop will bring to the catechist and youth minister simple and practical ways to connect their ministries in the parish. Imagine: saints born from the work, prayers and sacrifices of the parish. “Renew Your Vision” challenges leadership to work towards building the “Civilization of Love.”

Presenter: Juan Rodriguez is a Pastoral Associate/Director & Founder of Defenders of the Holy Trinity.

Creative Catechesis For Multiple Intelligences

Description: A joyful presentation integrating the use of music, art, gospel, play for Christocentric teaching.

Presenter: Susan Martin has a BS in Early Childhood, an MA Religious Education. She has been a DRE for 30 years. She currently serves as Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Grace RC Church in West Babylon.

Why Develop A Master Catechist Model For Catechesis?

Description: This workshop will address the following: What do we mean by “Master Catechist Model”? How do you begin and implement a Master Catechist model at any level or grade in your faith formation process?

Presenter: Fran McMahon has an M.A. in Theology and has 14 years of experience as Director of Faith Formation, RCIA and Adult Faith Formation at St. Sylvester’s in Medford.

Pre-Cana: Renewing the Vision for a Postmodern World

Description: This workship addresses how to revitalize your parish marriage preparation program.

Presenter: Lawrence Faulkenberry has an MA in Theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception; is a PhD (cand.) at Fordham University, and is a Deacon and a Marriage preparation facilitator.

Bullying: Dignity For All Children

Description: A workshop designed to understand the effects of bullying on children including children with special needs and how to address bullying as catechists and parents.

Presenter: Edward Nitkewicz Esq is an attorney and an advocate for Children With Special Needs.

Renewing Adult Faith Formation in  the Parish

Description: During the Year of Faith, parishes have been challenged to formulate means of renewing Catholics’ appreciation for Scripture and Church teaching. This workshop will aim to examine best practices for such programs using diocesan-based initiatives as well as other resources.

Presenter: Fr. Greg Rannazzisi was ordained a priest June 27, 2009. He has an S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology, an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and a B.A. in Theology/Philosophy from Fordham University. He serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid’s Parish, Catholic Chaplain at Hofstra University, and Associate Officer for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue.

RCIA: Six Best Practices

Description: We all know that a practical outcome of the initiation sacraments are the new “practicing Catholics.” So what are WE “practicing” during the stages of initiation: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Lent, and Mystagogy? When we bring our best to each stage, it flavors the whole parish. Catch the vision of how to take RCIA to the next level. But be warned:  it’s going to take some work and personal conversion.

Presenter: Fr. Ralph Sommer, Pastor.

They Called Our Program a “Joke”:  The Four Steps That Renewed Our Religious Education Program

Description: Join us as we share the story of our experiences, discoveries, discernment, and responses to the perceptions that our Religious Education program was viewed as a “joke” by community and catechists alike.  Learn about the steps that we followed to overhaul our program and the renewed sense of excitement and anticipation that has resulted from holding our ground and making the tough decisions that we knew were necessary in order to improve our program. We will discuss lesson planning, discipline, prayer, parent communication, and the complexion of your class.

Presenters: John Aleksak is the DRE at St. Gerard Majella Parish, a retired High School Principal, and has an MA in Theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Bill Hanson is the Pastor in the same parish, has his M. Div., and has served 41 years in ministry.

Blueprints for Renewal: The Four Practical Steps of Pastoral Problem Solving

Description: This workshop is a follow-up to the workshop, They Called Our Program a “Joke”.  We will discuss the steps by which we all naturally acquire and process information and, after a period of reflection and discernment, develop a course of action to respond to a particular pastoral issue, concern, or problem. These four steps will be presented from a catechetical, theological, and sociological perspective to illustrate their overlap and existence in each of these three domains.

Presenters: John Aleksak is the DRE at St. Gerard Majella Parish, a retired High School Principal, and has an MA in Theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Bill Hanson is the Pastor in the same parish, has his M. Div., and has served 41 years in ministry.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Teaching Religion but were Afraid to Ask

Description: We will discuss lesson planning, discipline, prayer, parent communication, and the complexion of your class.

Presenter: Pam Shannon has an MS in Elementary Education, an NYS Certificate N-6, 24 credits in Religious Studies, the the Forty-Year Distinguished Service award (DRVC).

Why Can’t They Sit Still?

Description: Participants will experience sensory overload. Info will enable parents, catechists, and catechetical leaders to work together to provide a positive experience in religion class.

Presenter: Kathy Russell Sica has an A.S. in Early Childhood, an M.S. in Special Education, is Certified Birth-21 years, Certified Early Intervention, is a PFI graduate, and an M.S. Candidate in Theology.