2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
O’Hare Ballroom

Church leaders bemoan the declining numbers of teens and adults. Sometimes we believe it is because people simply want to be entertained. People want to be ENGAGED. In this digital generation, what values or principles do we use to “bring people into catechesis and ministry?

Mike Patin

Mike Patin uses energy, humor and stories to affirm God’s goodness and presence among us while inviting others (and himself) to take the “next step” in our journey with God. Mike has worked in ministry settings since 1984, first as a high school teacher and coach, and then in diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since 2003, he has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist.” Mike has worked in ministry settings since 1984, first as a high school teacher and coach, and then in diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since 2003, he has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist.” Throughout his ministry, Mike has been privileged to speak to groups ranging from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken at parish missions, conferences, rallies, retreats, leadership institutes, and in-services, addressing youth, adults, families, clergy, seminarians, school faculties, businesses, athletic teams and hospital staffs. He has been a featured speaker numerous times at the following national events: • National Catholic Educational Association Convention • Los Angeles Religious Education Congress/Youth Day • National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry • National Catholic Youth Conference • Notre Dame Vision. Mike has published two books: A Standing Invitation, and This Was Not in the Brochure: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry. In 2006, he received the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award. Mike lives in Lafayette, LA, with his wife, Marlene, and his daughter, Megan. Education and other experience of interest • Masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University (New Orleans) • Training Facilitator, Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People • Consultant/Assistant Coach to Loyola University (New Orleans) Women’s Basketball

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Heathrow B

Participants will encounter the face of Jesus through the lens of local parishes addressing the needs of men and women in our prisons and jails and of children with incarcerated parents. Participants will be introduced to the needs of the incarcerated in general and also to the specific needs of inmates with special conditions. What are the needs of women in jails and prisons? What are the needs of elderly inmates in prison? What are the needs of inmates suffering with physical or mental illness? What are the needs of children with incarcerated parents? How can we as parish and as Church respond to those needs effectively and bring the message of hope, courage and joy?

Below is the link for a newly published article in America magazine on the subject of ministry to officers and staff in our prisons and jails. The article draws from the treatment of that subject in my recent book “When We Visit Jesus in Prison” (see Chapter 10).

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/05/31/you-have-heard-it-said-visit-imprisoned-what-about-their-guards

Yours faithfully
Brother Dale

Brother Dale Recinella

Dale Recinella has served for twenty-five years as a spiritual counselor and Catholic Correctional Chaplain in Florida’s prisons. On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Florida, in 1998 he began ministering cell-to-cell to the ≈ 400 men on Florida’s death row and the ≈ 2,000 men in Florida’s long-term solitary confinement. For 19 years, he and his wife, Dr. Susan Recinella, have ministered as a team during executions: he serving as spiritual advisor to the condemned and his wife serving as a lay minister to the condemned’s family and loved ones. They also minister to the families and loved ones of murder victims in non-capital cases. Mr. Recinella, who received a Masters in Theological Studies (M.T.S.) summa cum laude from Ave Maria University’s Institute for Pastoral Theology (2009) and law degree magna cum laude from Notre Dame University Law School (1976), is a licensed Florida lawyer and has taught international law/business ethics in Europe, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, at St. John’s University at the Vatican (Oratorio) and at Temple University in Rome; and has designed and taught Credible and Responsible Ministry in Prison, Certificate Program in Prison and Detention Ministry, at Saint Leo University Theology Department, Saint Leo, Florida USA (2013 – 2015). He has been a Community of Faith columnist for The Tallahassee Democrat and for over ten years was the prolife/prison and death penalty columnist for the statewide Florida Catholic. He has appeared frequently on worldwide Vatican Radio, extensively addresses audiences nationally and in Europe, and with Dr. Susan, has raised 5 children. He has written over 400 articles and columns and multiple books.

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
TEGEL

“Vengan, benditos de mi Padre, y tomen posesión del reino que ha sido preparado para ustedes desde el principio del mundo”. –Mateo 25, 34. La música es un elemento muy importante para la evangelización en la pastoral hispana. Desde los desafíos que se enfrenta hoy día, todos anhelamos encontrar un espacio de solidaridad, identidad, alegría y paz.  La música puede ofrecer este espacio para que el camino espiritual y humano tenga pleno sentido.  En este taller se ofrecerán experiencias concretas con la música sacra y el papel de esta en el acompañamiento pastoral de la comunidad (experiencias e historias de mi vida).

Jorge Rivera

Jorge Rivera serves as Director of Hispanic Ministry/Ethnic Ministries for the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois. He received a BA from the University of DePaul in Chicago and candidate for an MAEA-Masters of Arts in Educating Adults. He is founder of ESFOR-Escuela de Formación en Pastoral Juvenil through his tenure as coordinator for Hispanic Young Adults for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Jorge is a longtime collaborator and member of the Pastoral Team for Instituto Fe y Vida. In addition, he is President of MWCAHM- Midwest Catholic Association of Hispanic Ministry. Jorge is also a Catholic worship music singer and song writer in which has dedicated his musical talent and passion predominately to the evangelization of Latino/a jóvenes, with three major recordings through the record label company WLP-World Library Publications. Jorge can be contacted at: jrivera@dioceseofjoliet.org

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Midway

Today everyone is connected by mobile devices and social media but are we using theses power tools for our ministries? This session will provide how to bridge families and the whole parish together with social media. Catechists and administrators will take away ideas and plans implement and teach the faith using these powerful tools. Bring your devices!!

Paul Sanfrancesco

Paul Sanfrancesco is a National Technology Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. For over 20 years, he has worked in Catholic, private, and public education, including as Director of Technology for the 200+ schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in collegiate teaching at Saint Joseph’s University and Neumann University. The National School Boards Association named him one of the “20 to Watch” Educators for his work in Instructional Technology. Mr. Sanfrancesco has been featured in Tech & Learning, Schools CIO, EdTech Mag, and Catechetical Leader and presents at local, regional, and national convocations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Temple University.

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Heathrow A

As busy ministers it is a challenge to sustain oneself in the ministry and as to be as Pope Francis states – “a spring that overflows”. This workshop will address the challenges of ministry, the stress and burnout that challenges many and offer strategies and practices to journey in health and wholeness.

C. Vanessa White

Dr. C. Vanessa White is Assistant Professor of Spirituality and Ministry and the Director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies and Distance Learning Program at Catholic Theological Union. A Secular Franciscan with over 25 years of experience in pastoral ministry, catechetical ministry and theological education, she is one of the contributors for GIVE US THIS DAY, published by Liturgical Press as well as numerous articles in US CATHOLIC, AMERICA, and is a nationally recognized lecturer and retreat facilitator.