In the study, Going, Going, Gone – The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics, Saint Mary’s Press reveals extensive research on why young people have left the Catholic Church. This presentation will identify the underlying dynamics that lead to disaffiliation, describe the factors that reinforce those dynamics, and examine the implications for the Church and our ministry with children, adolescents and families. We will hear about these issues from young people in their own voices and examine the broader sociological shifts affecting religious affiliation and engagement in secularized culture.

Pamela Elsey has been involved in Catholic and religious education in various ways for over twenty-eight years in Catholic schools, in parishes, and on the diocesan level. Currently, she is a National Educational Consultant for Saint Mary’s Press. She and her husband, Mark, have 4 children, reside in the Atlanta, GA area, and are members of Saint Mary Magdalene Church where she is a catechist with adults.

Dimension: Evangelization 

Humanae Vitae turned 50 this year. Polls indicate that more than 80% of Catholics ignore, if not outright reject, its teachings. This presentation will reflect on the universal call to holiness through chastity and the grave dangers that concupiscence presents to living our baptismal vocation with integrity.

Dr. Dennis J. Marshall is Professor of Theology at Aquinas College.

Dimension: Theology

Paul’s so-called conversion experience of Jesus is iconic, but what goes unnoticed is the theological change that occurred because of it. The theology of the Pharisees had to be transformed: from exhorting Israel to covenantal obedience to the incorporation of gentiles into the people of God. This session will expose  participants to St. Paul’s key theological innovation because of his experience of the resurrection.

Dr. Stephan Davis is an Associate Professor of Theology at Aquinas College. He is the author of “The Antithesis of the Ages: Paul’s Reconfiguration of Torah” which studies Paul’s Theology in its ancient Jewish context.

Dimension: Theology 

Also offered as B- 21

Are you wondering what all the hype is surrounding small groups? Might you be considering implementing small groups into your ministry? In this workshop we will weigh the pros and cons by age, grade, and number of participants. Explore how to engage others through verbal communication, learn the rules of small groups, how to carry the conversation home, and acquire alternative methods on leading and planning.

Christine McCarty studied Theology and Communications at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Chris enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and her two children Aleisha and Jacob. Her favorite pastimes are reading, sports and games of all sorts.

Dimension: Evangelization 

Also offered as C-4

Bob will take his audience on a journey of leadership unlike any other! His lessons and stories are both inspiring and fun-filled. The goal of the session will be to grow as leaders so that we can pass the loving leadership torch to our students…it starts with us…the adults. Bob will motivate his audience to lead from the heart and create a dynamic classroom, school or team based upon research-based principles.

Many strategies from his book, “Learn to Lead with Love”…a field guide to building a team with heart, will be used in his presentation. Bob will blend concepts from the book “The Leader in Me,” by Stephen Covey, and share concrete ways in which our children can learn to Lead with Love.

Bob (Robert) Siegel has been married for 37 years to Jane. They have two children, a daughter Katie who is a social worker in Chicago Public Schools, and a son Rob who is married to Kathryn and has twin sons. Bob has been a teacher for 20 years in grades first – sixth and a principal in Rockford for 20 years.

Dimension: Spirituality 

Also offered as C-8

Utilizing resources from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Creating on the Margins Youth Media Contest and Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program along with other dynamic resources, learn how to engage your middle and high school students through programs that bring to life Catholic Social Teaching and a deepened understanding of the Two-Feet of Love: Charitable Works and Social Justice. What is the difference? Why do we need both?

Maggie Walsh is the Project Rachel and Social Justice coordinator for Catholic Charities West Michigan. She has worked in faith formation at the parish level for 15 years in both Michigan and North Carolina.

Dimension: Evangelization

The Gospel of John introduces the Good Shepherd who calls us, by name, to the sheepfold of the Church. The Good Shepherd gives all of himself in a most particular way in the liturgy. This workshop explores the moment of unity where Scripture and liturgy meet, where the words of Jesus come alive, so we may “have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:10b-11)

Annette Witte became a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I Formation Leader in 2010 and a Level II Formation Leader in 2016. Currently, she assists children in Levels I and II at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Levels II and  III at St. Thomas the Apostle both in Grand Rapids, MI. Annette Witte holds a Master’s of Pastoral Studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. She and her husband, Joe, have five children and three grandchildren.

Dimension: Theology

Disciple, companion, mentor, example, encourager, listener—these are but a few of the qualities the Church looks for in the sponsors who answer the invitation to accompany the catechumens and elect on their journey to the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. This practical workshop will focus on the role of the sponsor in the RCIA process and ways to prepare and support sponsors in their valuable ministry as companions in faith.

Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience in diocesan, parish and Catholic school ministry. She presents workshops, retreats, and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics to enjoy and to live their faith! In August of this year, Mary retired from her position as Project Manager for RCL Benziger, which included editing and writing for the Web-based RCIA products Apprentices in Faith and Young Apprentices.

Dimension: Spirituality

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 B -10

Many people suffer from spiritual woundedness, crisis or spiritual abuse. It is often difficult to communicate those wounds. While it’s common to discuss emotional, physical, or sexual wounds, the language to discuss spiritual wounds is not readily available. This workshop will explore spiritual woundedness in a wide variety of forms. It will explore some of the causes of those wounds, both within faith traditions and beyond. It will identify ways to accompany others on their healing journey through resources, prayer, and healing opportunities.

Cami Mann, OFS, founder of manIFeStations, GR, is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, public speaker and author of FAITH GR’s On the Road to Sunday column. Cami has been involved in accompanying those who experience spiritual woundedness, crisis and spiritual abuse for the last four years. Cami and her husband Mark, residents of Grand Rapids, MI, are both Secular Franciscans. Currently, they take great delight watching their children raise children of their own.

Dimension: Spirituality