Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador Will be canonized—recognized as a saint by the Catholic—Church—on October 14. No one, least of all Romero himself, could have imagined this when he was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977, but just three years later, he was assassinated—martyred. We will explore Romero’s background and pay particular attention to what happened in those three short years that led to the martyrdom of Oscar Romero.

Fr. Steve Cron is the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Wyoming; co-chaplain at Catholic Central High School, Grand Rapids; and the Bishop’s liaison to the Catholic Hispanic Charismatic Renewal Movement of the diocese. In addition, he is active in prison and jail ministry as well as migrant ministry.

Dimension: Theology

Part 2 of the Discernment of Spirits presentation will continue an overview of the Fourteen Rules for the Discernment of Spirits, as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Highlighted during this presentation will be practical ways to respond to and reject Spiritual Desolation.

Elizabeth M. Gengle is a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology with a concentration in Religious Education and a minor in Mental Health and Human Services. She is currently the Director of Adult Faith Formation and Spirituality and High School Youth Ministry for St. Francis Xavier Parish in Petoskey, Michigan. Elizabeth has also established Movements of the Heart Retreat and Speaking Ministry, dedicated to the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. John Paul II.

Dimension: Spirituality

Part 1 offered as A-5

Have you ever been called to lead a group of people in prayer? In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are anointed “priest, prophet and king.” Yet many Catholics feel incapable or unworthy of leading people in prayer. Participants in this session will gain confidence by learning and practicing basic principles of preparing and leading prayer for both informal and formal occasions.

Father Chris Rouech is pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Grandville. With a Master’s Degree in Liturgical Studies from  University of Notre Dame, he served for eight years as interim director of the Diocesan Office for Worship.

Dimension: Spirituality

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults expects that “celebrants should make full and intelligent use of the freedom given to them” (RCIA 35) to adapt the rites. But just how far does that freedom extend? This workshop welcomes not just celebrants but all ministry leaders who help prepare the rites to: explore the rationale for adaptation, identify elements that admit of change, determine what characteristics ought to be preserved, and evaluate the benefits of proposed adaptations.

Dr. Aaron Sanders studied theology at the University of Notre Dame and has experience in liturgical ministry at both the parish and diocesan levels. Through his service to the Diocese of Grand Rapids as director of the Office for Worship he hopes to lead all the faithful to a deeper participation in the sacred mysteries we celebrate.

Dimension: Professional Theology

Also offered as A-12

This session is devoted to refining our understanding of the human conscience. The following questions will be addressed: what is conscience, how does it “work,” where does it come from, how does it differ from the Freudian superego, is acting according to one’s conscience the most fundamental moral  imperative, are there people who have no conscience, how should one act when one’s in doubt about the morality of contemplated actions, etc.?

Dr. Mark Pestana is a Professor at Grand Valley State University in the Department of Philosophy (teaching for 31 years). Born in Fresno, CA he was raised in Maine and Iowa. Educated at University of Chicago (PhD.), University of Kentucky (M.A.) and Colby College in Maine (B.A.) He is happily married to Mary Beth with daughter Stephanie and son Simon.

Dimension: Theology

This presentation will look at the myriad of cultural distractions that are available on a daily basis to both children and adults that generally come into our homes, offices, cars, churches, clubs and events. The question addressed by both presenters is, “How is all that is available to us experienced as either a Vice or a Virtue and when is one or the other acceptable and when is it not?”

Issues addressed within this presentation include such topics are: Boundaries, Communication, Healthy openness, Moral judgment, Discernment within a variety of settings, Inclusiveness and Exclusiveness,  Projection and Introspection.

Sr. Mary Paul Moller, FSE, LPC and Sr. Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, LPC have both worked as Licensed Professional Counselors and Educators for over 30 years respectively and are members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Lowell, Michigan.

Dimension: Spirituality 

Also offered as A– 8

In today’s science classroom, there is often a perception that faith and science are not connected. This is magnified to such a degree in today’s culture that many of our students and even teachers may be unaware of the role the Church has played in the advancement of scientific knowledge as well as ways to incorporate our Catholic faith into understanding the inner workings of  God’s creation. In this workshop,  practical examples of how faith, historical scientific discoveries, and Catholic doctrine such as Pope Francis’ Laudato Si have been incorporated into an integrated high school science class will be presented.

Dr. Catherine Molloseau is a Michigan native having grown up on the east side of the state. After completing graduate school at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburg, PA, she moved to Portland, OR and worked  in the steel making and semiconductor manufacturing industries before entering the high school classroom. Armed with 15 years of high school teaching experience in science, math and engineering, she is now the STEAM director at Catholic Central High School in GR. Catherine has a passion for the outdoor, experiential education, student led research and a new found love of coding. 

Dimension: Evangelization 

Also offered as A-27