All posts by Susie Boone

RM 110 | B-10 Gentle Teaching: Helping Children Learn Connectedness and Community

Session B 18

Common sense suggests that we are most receptive to learning when we feel safe and connected to those around us. Research agrees. But how do we make this happen? How do we contend with the barriers and obstacles that children bring into the classroom or catechetical setting that stand in the way of helping them learn? How do we address our own deficits as imperfect teachers and caregivers? This workshop will look at how teachers and caregivers can come to understand children’s behavior as communication which can guide our decision making. We will then explore how we can help children move forward in feeling safe and connected by using simple tools available to all of us. Finally, we will focus on the practical and spiritual ways we can prepare ourselves to be gentle teachers and representatives of Christ.

Mary Zmolek is currently a catechist for the Level 1 Good Shepherd program at Prince of Peace parish in North Muskegon, MI, helping children ages 3-6 to learn to be in relationship with Christ. Her background is as a psychologist. In that capacity, she has worked primarily with persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families.

Dimension: Evangelization 

Also offered as A-25

 

RM 125 | B-11 Tell a Better Story—Tailoring the Good News to your Audience

Session B 18

The Bible is an old book that can be confusing to many, but the Holy Spirit wants to speak the Good News through your life. Learn to share stories to inspire others and tools to communicate God’s love in a age appropriate manner.

Jeff Andrini, D.Min, is a Master Catechist with the Diocese of Grand Rapids with 30 years of parish experience and currently serves as Director of Faith Formation at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Grand Haven.

Dimension: Evangelization

RM 115 | B-12 Marriage: Who Writes the Script?

Session B 18

The essential framework from which to witness within a sacramental marriage is that each person clearly knows who they are in relation to God. Only then can a couple live a testimony of a Gospel Marriage. Drawing from the privilege of years of martial therapy with countless couples, Dr. Birkeland will explore key facets of a sacramental marriage and highlight some marriage potholes that occur a long the way.

Dr. Peter Birkeland is a Clinical Psychologist, working professionally for 35 years. He received a PhD from Michigan State  University in 1985 and is currently in private practice in Rockford and Big Rapids specializing in formal psychological  assessment, Individual and Marriage therapies, special interest in the integration of Catholic teaching and psychotherapy  intervention. Dr. Birkeland is married to Julie and has four children. He is also a Franciscan Apprentice.

Dimension: Theology 

Also offered as A-14

 

Meet at Exhibit Table | B-13 Religious Activities Offered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting

Session B 18

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) offers Religious Activities available to ALL Youth and their leaders/instructors. Topics include: Rosary Series, Marian Series, American Saint Series, Modern Saint Series, and Faith Series. Each activity includes a pamphlet with a link to information about the topic, questions and answers, and activities. Learn how to use these free resources in your classrooms, retreat or home!

Theresa Dirig is a mother (two Eagle Scouts and 1 honorary Eagle Scout—a daughter) and grandmother to four, originally from Fort Wayne, IN. She has been involved in Boy Scouting for the past 29 yrs. and the NCCS for the past 10 yrs. She is currently the Chairperson of the Religious Activities Committee, responsible for the Activities offered by the NCCS.

Deb Watson is a mother of two Eagle Scouts from Hudsonville, MI. She has been involved in Boy Scouting for the past 16 yrs. and got involved with Catholic Scouting 10 yrs. ago as a Religious Emblem Counselor. She is currently the Activity Chair for the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Dimension: Evangelization

Also offered as C-22

 

RM 307 | B-14 Life Isn’t a Television Drama

Session B 18

As consumers of television most of us get our idea of “witness and testify” from popular crime drama shows. A witness sees a crime and testifies in court. Does that same idea transfer to our idea of Christian Witness? And to what do we testify? In this workshop we will discuss the themes of what we are witnesses to. What do we see God doing in the world today? With an understanding of these themes we will consider our own personal testimony. Does what we witness line up with our testimony? And how does that play out in our ministry?

Dianna Rottiers is Pastoral Associate at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Comstock Park. Dianna and her husband Dave have three adult children, raise puppies for Paws With a Cause, and enjoy traveling, biking, and craft beers.

Dimension: Spirituality 

Also offered as C-5

 

RM 134 | A-2 Padres de familia son los primeros educadores de la fe de sus hijos:

Session A 18

A través de esta conferencia revisaremos la enseñanza de la Iglesia acerca del rol de los padres en la educación cristiana de sus hijos en el hogar. Al momento de bautizar a nuestros hijos nos comprometemos de una manera particular de seguir la doctrina católica para una buena educación de nuestros hijos. Adicionalmente, profundizaremos el rol de los padrinos en la educación en la vida sacramental.

El Padre Luis García atendió sus estudios del seminario mayor en la Universidad de Santa María del Lago en  Mundelein, IL donde obtuvo una Maestría en Divinidad. El Padre García es actualmente el vicario parroquial de  St. Anthony of Padua en Grand Rapids, MI.

Dimension: Evangelización

También se ofrece en B-2

 

RM 135 | A-3 La conversión de un obispo: (San) Óscar Romero

Session A 18

El arzobispo Óscar Romero de El Salvador será canonizado—reconocido como santo por la Iglesia católica—el 14 de octubre. Nadie, inclusive el mismo Romero, podía imaginar esto cuando él fue nombrado arzobispo de San Salvador en 1977, pero apenas tres años después, fue asesinado—martirizado. Exploraremos la vida de Romero y en particular lo que sucedió en estos tres años cortos que resultó en el martirio de Óscar Romero.

El Padre Esteban Cron es el párroco de la parroquia de San José Obrero en Wyoming, MI y co-capellán en Catholic Central High School en Grand Rapids; también el enlace de la Renovación Carismática con el Obispo; además de estar activo en el ministerio de cárceles al igual que el ministerio migrante.

Dimensión: Teología

 

RM 132 | A-5 Discernment of Spirits Part 1:

Session A 18

Part 1 of the Discernment of Spirits presentation will cover an introduction to Discernment of Spirits and will begin an overview of the Fourteen Rules for the Discernment of Spirits, as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Discernment will be presented as a spiritual key for greater openness to the Holy Spirit.

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 2 offered as B-5

 

RM 207 | A-6 Your Brain and Your Phone: How Our Technology Forms Us:

Session A 18

Are you finding it more difficult lately to stay out of your inbox? Silence your notifications? Leave the phone at home? While educators often wonder how to keep up with ever-changing technology, too few consider how their technology is changing them. Come discover the science and philosophy behind the dynamic relationship between your brain and your environment known as neuroplasticity and how it is changing the way you and your students think.

Zachary Good began to serve as a teacher and administrator at Sacred Heart Academy in 2013 when the school began a transition to a classical model. Zach graduated from Hillsdale College with a double-major in Classical Studies and English and has taught students in 5th through 12th grades. Through studying the works of Shakespeare, Dante, Bl. John Henry Newman, and the Church Fathers, Zach was drawn to the Catholic faith and joined the Church at Easter in 2009. He lives with his wife, four children, and usually a few dozen chickens on a hill in the woods in Ada.

Dimension: Spirituality