Room: 205

Session 3: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

In order to become good catechists in our Church today (especially as we know it in Los Angeles) we have to cultivate more than just good intentions and lots of enthusiasm. A good catechist is committed to further her/his skills and abilities with the use of many and different teaching resources that will enable her/him to effectively pass on the message of faith in new and attractive ways to the children they minister to. In the course of this workshop we will learn about different classroom methodologies and how to apply and use them in our catechetical sessions. Please come prepared with SCISSORS, GLUE and MARKERS (or CRAYONS) for this very hands-on workshop.

Douglas E. Zúñiga graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles as a graphic designer. In 2016 he graduated from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo with a MA degree in Pastoral Ministry. Douglas is a Master Catechist for the archdiocese of Los Angeles. He collaborates with the Elementary Division in the areas of catechist formation and liturgical workshops in both English & Spanish. He was Coordinator of Religious Education at Holy Rosary Parish in Sun Valley, where he is also a member of a small Christian faith community and is currently a choir director. Previous experience includes catechesis with children and adults, parent/children sacramental prep retreats, as well as catechist formation in both basic and advanced levels in the archdiocese.

Room: 505

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Handout: How To Teach About the Mass

Nothing is more important to pass on to young Catholics than an honest, full, authentic and conscious understanding of the Mass. Usually we pass on to them what we have known, and we think that is all there is. Yet, church tradition is bigger than our own experience. Come and find out ways to renew your own understanding of the liturgy, and learn how to pass that on to your students. Like art, to touch deep within the soul our communal prayer needs to be prepared with depth and detail. In this session we will examine closely the symbols and elements of the liturgy, with the goal of developing an approach to liturgical preparation that reflects the bigger picture of church tradition. The liturgy has the power to transform the world. It’s time again to renew the face of the earth, starting with the next generation of Catholics!

Joan Patano Vos started working at her first parish at St. Mel in Woodland Hills. She has a Master of Arts in Liturgical Music at the University of Notre Dame. After graduating, she worked in Toronto at various parishes and on the Diocesan Music Commission; established and managed the Office of Worship in Wichita, Kansas; wrote and published “Celebrating School Liturgies: Guidelines for Planning,” published by Liturgical Press in 1990. Since returning to Los Angeles in 1992, she has worked in various parishes. Joan was also a member of Cardinal Mahoney’s Committee for the writing of “Gather Faithfully Together”. She currently works in the Office for Worship of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as Associate Director for Formation.

Room: 307

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Celebrating the rituals and sacraments of initiation with children of catechetical age can be a complicated process. This workshop will present the RCIA adapted for Children as a rich opportunity to blend catechesis, liturgy, and evangelization. Practical advice will be given to those parishes who find themselves struggling to implement the vision of the often-misunderstood subset of Christian Initiation.

Michael Ruzicki serves as Editor and Liturgical Training Consultant for Liturgy Training Publications and the Director of Music for Notre Dame de Chicago Parish. In addition to having served as a team member of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, Michael has experience as a parish pastoral associate and archdiocesan coordinator of adult faith formation and RCIA and director of archdiocesan music ministry. He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America and the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC.

Room: 106 (moved from room 109)

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Natural disasters, violence in our communities, and personal trauma, such as the death of a loved one are only a few of the crises we face today. These serious challenges might make us feel like panicking, but our faith gives us strong tools to use so that we are strong, resilient, and spiritually fit for any challenge that might occur. Based on the new book, Don’t Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media, 2016), this workshop will explore the physical, emotional and spiritual resources we have around us and within us. It will offer practical and prayerful ways to approach any crisis. And it will provide examples from the lives of the Saints, historic figures and every day, contemporary people, to inspire and encourage each of us that, no matter what the crisis, we don’t have to panic!

Maureen Pratt is an author, syndicated columnist with Catholic News Service, and a frequent contributor to Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Relevant Radio, and Beliefnet.com. She writes and speaks about prayer, spirituality, and living with faith while facing health challenges and other crises. She is the author of “Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness” and “Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy.” Her newest book is “Don’t Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough”

Room: SAC

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Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Let us come together to talk about ways to Encounter Jesus in your prayer life and ministry. This personal encounter with Jesus is vital so you can help those you are teaching to come know the transforming love of Jesus. Bishop David O’Connell is originally from County Cork, Ireland.

Bishop O’Connell studied at All Hallows College in Dublin and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979 for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. His last assignment was as Pastor of St. Frances X. Cabrini in Los Angeles. August 2015, Bishop O’Connell was elected by Pope Frances to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and was appointed by Archbishop Jose Gomez as Episcopal Vicar for San Gabriel Pastoral Region.

Room: 304

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Young adolescents are growing up in a very interesting time. So how do we minister to them? Do not be afraid! This workshop is for any catechist, coordinator or leader involved in Middle School Ministry and will break open the developmental changes of young adolescence and give strategies for ministering to this fun and unique age group.

Heather MacDonald works for the Office of Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as a Coordinator of Youth Ministry. She works and resides in the Santa Barbara Region. She is a Master Catechist in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and has spent the past 18 years working full time in parish and diocesan ministry.

Room: 604

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Join us for an interactive learning experience that will leave you with ways to incorporate movement into your Eucharistic celebrations, prayer services and concerts. Wear comfortable clothes and be ready to move!

Monica Luther and Nicole Masero have been dancing, choreographing and educating in this ministry for more than a decade. Both have extensive experience coordinating movement for a variety of parishes throughout Southern California. Monica and Nicole had the honor of dancing at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress as featured dancers in various liturgies, prayer services and concerts.

Room: 506

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Handout: What Every Serious Christian Should Know About Judaism

Did you know that Judaism is much more than the religion of the Hebrew Bible? Did you know that Jews have sacred literature beyond the Hebrew Bible (that we have our own “New Testament”)? Did you know that Jews mean something completely different than Christians when we speak of the Messiah, sin, redemption, salvation, repentance and forgiveness? Come and question, learn and explore with Rabbi Michael Lotker, author of “A Christian’s Guide to Judaism” published by the Paulist Press.

Rabbi Michael Lotker is a Phi Beta Kappa/Magna Cum Laude physicist. He spent the bulk of his first career in the alternative energy business, working in wind power, solar and geothermal energy. In 2003, he was ordained as a rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, where he also received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree. He is presently Rabbi for the Jewish Community of Ojai, California and the Community Rabbi for the Jewish Federation of Ventura County.

Room: 107

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Scripture and Catholic teaching tell us that “The Lord hears the cry of the poor” (Psalm 34). For more than 40 years, thousands of parishes across the U.S. have heard and responded to the cry of the poor through Catholic Relief Services’ CRS Rice Bowl campaign. Join us as we reflect on how catechists of all age levels can help our parishes think outside of the box of mandated service hours and service projects and how we can create communities that strive to build the Kingdom of God with their hunger and thirst for justice. Come and hear the stories of the people who are being served by CRS’ life saving work and walk away with practical ideas for inspiring those in your parish to hear and answer the cry of the poor through your ministry of catechesis.

Sergio Lopez is a former youth minister and worship leader from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. From early on in his ministry he made it his mission to inspire parish Catholics to serve Christ in the poor and powerless. Since 2014, Sergio has worked for Catholic Relief Services which is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Sergio has travelled overseas with CRS to El Salvador and Guatemala. He holds an MA in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles and is pursuing a MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Room: 104

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Your DRE, Confirmation Coordinator, or RCIA director asks you to prepare a lesson on [fill in the blank] and you want to plan a great session, but you wish you knew the best methods. Come to this workshop and learn all about Groom’s Shared Christian Praxis, the best way to plan lessons–easy and effective!

Dawn Kopitcke-Ponnet is the Director of Faith Formation at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. She serves on the Directors’ Team for the Christian Leadership Institute for the Archdiocese. Dawn has her Masters in Religious Studies from Mount Saint Mary’s University, her certificate in Spiritual Direction, and working on her Master Catechists Formation.