Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacrament & Liturgy

We need to be forgiven, there is no doubt about it. We are also called to forgive others – and ourselves. Yet, we often weigh the reality of forgiving or being forgiven so profoundly that we delay the process by months or years. Why is this so hard? What is it about our ego, our pain, even our fear, which makes us hold back? In order to be “Renewed!” our practice of forgiveness must mature with us. As an adult, do I use the same measure or standards when forgiving others as I did – or didn’t – in grade school? In this workshop we will explore these difficult realities and find ways to respond to God’s invitation to go the extra mile.

Monique Jacobs, Monique Jacobs is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Reno. She has enjoyed pastoral and professional ministry in the church for over 38 years, as a religious and lay woman, specializing in the field of Religious Education; over 25 of those years have been spent in the Diocese of Reno. Her life-long passion moves her to seek concrete ways to connect people, attempting to create inroads and offer encounters that will inspire a deeper relationship with the God who loves. Monique works closely with our Catholic school faculties and parishes by incorporating relevant formation which sustains and enriches. Monique holds a Master degree in Religious Education from Fordham University, NYC.

Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

Durante tres sesiones de trabajo y de manera procesual, profundizaremos la Exhortación Apostólica Amoris Laetitia, del Papa Francisco, en perspectiva de familia en su ser(vocación) y quehacer (servicio) en la comunidad parroquial. Presentaremos algunos lineamientos pastorales que podrían implementarse en el fortalecimiento o creación de una Pastoral Familiar Parroquial que responda a los desafíos de la sociedad actual implementando propuestas de trabajo pastoral desde la cultura del Encuentro y la Misericordia, bajo la guía de este Documento post-Sinodal de la Iglesia. Para más información, visite la página web: www.iglesiasdomesticas.com

Andrea & William Blanco-Cardona, son autores de programas de formación y liderazgo en Pastoral Familiar Hispana en los Estados Unidos. Han sido conferencistas en congresos y en el Encuentro Mundial de Familias, Philadelphia 2015. Actualizan los contenidos de la página web y blog: www.portuMatrimonio.org iniciativa de la Conferencia Episcopal de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos; recientemente elaboraron las Catequesis para las Familias bajo el tema de la Misericordia en coordinación con el Pontifico Consejo para la Nueva Evangelización. Actualmente trabajan con la Diócesis de Raleigh, NC. Para más información visite su página web: www.iglesiasdomesticas.com 

Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

En este taller exploraremos la conexión esencial entre nuestra vida espiritual y los principios básicos de la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia. Tendremos también la oportunidad de ahondar en las raíces bíblicas de nuestra búsqueda de Cristo a través del prójimo.

Roberto Rojas, completo sus estudios licenciaturas en Filosofía y Teología en Mendoza (Argentina) entre el 1989 y 1996. Curso estudios de Consejería Pastoral en la Universidad de Fu-Jen Taiwán (R.O.C) en 2004 y 2005 y completo estudios de Ministerio Pastoral Internacional en la Universidad Loyola Marymount de Los Angeles (2006). Su extensa carrera internacional incluye 20 años de experiencia docente y pastoral a varios niveles de enseñanza: Escuela Primaria, Secundaria, Colegio/Universidad, y Seminarios Católicos en Argentina, Taiwán, China, Papua Nueva Guinea y los Estados Unidos. Rojas ha sido parte del equipo docente del Instituto para el Liderazgo Ministerial en la Diócesis de San Jose, ensenando Moral, Ética, Justicia Social e Historia de la Iglesia entre el 2006 y el 2010. También fue designado miembro de la Comisión diocesana de Derechos Humanos. En el 2013, Rojas fue contratado por Catholic Relief Services como Gerente de Relaciones para la oficina del Oeste de los Estados Unidos. Desde el 2014 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) lo ha nombrado Consultor Nacional para Ministerio Hispano en los Estados Unidos.

Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

Every Catholic parish in the world wants to grow and multiply, but few seem able to achieve it. Why? How can two parishes, in the same region with similar populations, produce such different levels of engagement? Both have the same ancestry, same sacraments, same love from God; the difference is behavioral. Tap into a few of the essential behaviors all growing parishes share. It’s not an accident, it’s courageous!

Richard Curran, is the founder and executive director of the Parish Success Group, a Catholic non-profit organization that provides professional skill and organizational development training and coaching to ministry leaders. The son of an Irish immigrant, he was born and raised on the south-side of Chicago. For more than 25 years he has served the Catholic Church within parishes, dioceses and, nationally on numerous boards, associations and as consulter to several Catholic publishers. Rich is known by his titles…father, husband, disciple, trainer and itinerant preacher. By occupation, he is a national Catholic speaker and ministry coach who addresses over 50,000 youth and adults each year.

Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Jesus said to His Disciples, “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come…”(Mk 13: 33-37). Though we do not know the exact time or place, as a Christian Community, we do know that Jesus is coming back soon; therefore, we must encourage everyone to live their lives as if today were that day. Rather than thinking that we still have time, we ought to be thinking that it is already midnight. This interactive and fun workshop will focus on how we come to recognize Jesus in our midst and how we can better be prepared for His triumphant return.

Father Tony Ricard, is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Campus Minister at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He is the Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish and is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Fr. Tony is the author of 10 awesome books which include “Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know,” and “Diary of An Unapologetic Roman Catholic Priest”. Since the 2000 Season, Fr. Tony has served as the Catholic Chaplain of the NFL’s 2010 World Champions – the New Orleans Saints. He is a native of New Orleans and a proud graduate of St. Augustine High School. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a Master of Theology degree from Xavier University and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary.

Session 3: 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

The church is filled with believers and inquirers, however there is a big difference in being a disciple. Crossing the red line to discipleship embraces the call to be a leader in the community of faith. Inviting participants to explore their role as leaders in their respective faith communities will be central to the workshop and how to embrace the young church.

Paulist, Father John Hurley, was ordained in 1977. He is the former Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Evangelization, the National Pastoral Life Center and the Department of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In 2014, he launched a new Paulist initiative, NewEvangelizationStrategies.org where he serves as a consultant and missionary. In this position he works with dioceses and parishes in making the paradigm shift from maintenance to mission for the New Evangelization. He is based at Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco where he once served as pastor. In the great Jubilee Year of Mercy, he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as a missionary of mercy.

Session 2: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Fr. Tony will share insights into the Images of God that have come to us in Scripture as well as those we remember growing up. It is important that our Images of God be rooted in the Gospel messages of Jesus Christ so that we may truly come to experience a God of mercy, love and forgiveness. A correct Image of God is the only Image that will allow us to have spiritual lives that are HOLY, HAPPY and HEALTHY.

Father Tony Vercellone, was born in Oglesby, Illinois. In 1968, Fr. Tony entered the Benedictine Monastery of St. Bede Abbey. During the next five years, he completed studies for his B.A. in Philosophy and taught at St. Bede Academy, Peru, Illinois. In 1975 Fr. Tony entered St. Pius X Abbey in Pevely, Missouri during which time he completed studies for his M.R.S. degree. Fr. Tony was involved in retreat work at St. Pius X Abbey. In 1986 Fr. Tony came to the then Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas and since that time has served in Henderson, Reno and Las Vegas parishes as well as serving as Chancellor and Vocation Director. In 1989 Fr. Tony was incardinated into the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas. For the past nine years Fr. Tony has been serving as pastor at Our Lady of the Snows Church.

Session 2: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacred Scripture

In a day and age when so many people feel powerless and anxious, we turn our attention to the courage born of Hope as found in our Sacred Scriptures. Hope is the hub of the virtues. Isaiah and Jeremiah will be our guides.

Father Tom Bonacci, established the Institute for the Study of the Passion in 2011, which probes the issues of religion and violence. Father Tom ministers at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center of Citrus Heights, CA.

Session 2: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

St. Francis of Assisi remains one of the most popular saints in all of Christian history and has come into the worldwide spotlight in a new way with Pope Francis, who has taken his name and pastoral inspiration from the Saint from Assisi. While most people are familiar with some aspects of St. Francis’s history, experiences, and even writings, few are well versed in what is generally called “Franciscan Spirituality.” This workshop presents insights from the Franciscan tradition brought together in a dynamic, creative, and renewing spiritual vision. The themes presented provide an introductory approach to the many riches of the tradition named for Francis and Clare of Assisi.

Father Dan Horan, is a Franciscan friar, theologian, and columnist at America magazine, who teaches theology and spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The author of numerous academic and popular articles, his recent books include God is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude (2016), The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton (2014), and The Last Words of Jesus (2013). He has previously taught at Boston College, Siena College, and St. Bonaventure University, and has lectured across North America and Europe. To learn more, visit: www.DanHoran.com or follow him at Facebook.com/DanHoranOFM

Session 1: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

Even though you and the teacher in the classroom next to you teach the same subject, it is very likely that your ways of doing so are not the same. The difference? You each have different talents. Knowing what your talents are and drawing on them in your classroom and in life results in thriving, for you and for your students. Explore how this happens and learn how to discover and build upon your primary areas of talent. You and your students may never be the same!

Leisa Anslinger, has a long history in parish ministry, which has helped form her as an effective adviser to others in pastoral ministry. Leisa is a know expert on lifelong catechesis and stewardship. These two dimensions of parish life intertwine in Leisa’s work, one informing the other. She provides workshops on using StrengthsFinder in the Catholic Community. And, related to that, also provides parish-changing workshops on parishioner engagement. Leisa’s newest project is Bridges, a leader development process toward building evangelizing communities of disciples and stewards, with Stephanie Moore. She is a founding team member of the Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community.