5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
DFW AB

Reflexionar sobre el camino de Emaús y el acompañamiento.
– Como acompañamos Como Jesús.
– La inspiración en La vida profética y de martirio de mi Tío Oscar Arnulfo Romero.
– La inspiración del proceso del Ministerio Hispano en los Estados Unidos.

Sr. Maria Romero

Mi nombre Hermana María Romero,

Soy de El Salvador, Centro América, de la Congregación Religiosa de Hermanas Josefinas. He tenido la oportunidad de realizar ministerios en diferentes países como el Salvador, Costa Rica y Nicaragua en centros educativos como maestra, consejera educativa y directora.
Fui enviada por mi Congregación a Estados Unidos por solo un año y todavía continuo aquí después de muchos años. Desde mi llegada a este país me integré a la Diócesis de Joliet participando la presentación de los Documentos: Presencia Hispana, Voces Proféticas y El Tercer Encuentro en el cual al escuchar las siguientes palabras del Credo: “Tenemos fe en nuestro pueblo porque sabemos que Dios lo ha resucitado, viviendo de manera especial y para siempre entre nosotros. Creemos que las aguas del Rio Grande y del Mar Caribe son medios de unión, que al traernos aquí nos permiten ser instrumentos de Dios para fertilizar y enriquecer esta tierra que nos ha recibido” estas palabras fueron mi inspiración y fortaleza para asumir el llamado de Dios a través de mi Congregación y la Iglesia de Estados Unidos a ser instrumento para acompañar al pueblo hispano de manera especial dedicándome al proceso y trabajo IV Encuentro Nacional del Ministerio Hispano y el Encuentro Nacional de los Jóvenes Hispanos.
Durante todos estos años he estado colaborando en diferentes parroquias y diferentes Diócesis como Directora de la Educación y Ministerio Hispano.

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Grand ABCDE

Ain’t never been loved before: A story of Accompaning transformation. Walking with and loving the prostitutes, the homeless, the winos, the forgotten and ourselves.

CAPSTONE: Edwina Gateley

Born in Lancaster, England, Edwina Gateley’s educational experiences have awarded her a Teacher’s Degree from her home country, a Masters in Theology from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago and certificati on as an HIV Counselor in the State of Illinois. From 1981 to1982 Edwina lived for nine months in prayer and solitude in a hermitage in Illinois.In 1983 she spent over a year on the streets of Chicago walking with the homeless and women involved in prostitution. In 1983 Edwina founded Genesis House – a house of hospitality and nurturing for women involved in prostitution. Numerous groups and individuals, including the Mayor of Chicago, the late Joseph Bernardin and Bill Clinton former President of the United States, have publicly commended Edwina’s work and ministry. Edwina has also been featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes” and “48 Hours.” She also continues to work with women in recovery through her small Foundation, Sophia’s Circle. Edwina founded the Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) in Eng land to recruit, prepare and send lay missionaries to work in the developing world.

Faith † Prayer † Ministry † Story
www.edwinagateley.com

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Narita AB

Although Dr. Daniels-Sykes’ research and writings promote the idea of accompaniment in respect to a Lay Ministry Ally in the health care setting, her workshop seeks to expand this idea to other social institutions and structures where, she argues, accompaniment is needed. Drawing on principles of social justice via the context of Catholic Social Teaching, the speaker proposes that a Lay Ministry Ally, when engaged mutually with another(s), that the ally can play a significant role while walking with another to address social institutions that are consciously or unconsciously biased and perpetuate the cycle or prejudice and oppression.

Dr. Shawnee Daniels-Sykes

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Shawnee Marie Daniels-Sykes is currently the only African American/Black Catholic female theological bioethicist in the nation. Having earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University, Milwaukee, she is in her eleventh year at Mount Mary University where she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology. A past chair of the Faculty Assembly there, Dr. Daniels-Sykes teaches courses in Catholic social teaching, Catholic moral theology and in particular bioethics and social ethics, liberation theologies, a Christian faith perspective on human sexuality, among others.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Biochemistry from Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies/Theology from Saint Francis Seminary in Saint Francis, Wisconsin.

Dr. Daniels-Sykes is a Registered Nurse by training having worked in labor and delivery and public health care. An adjunct Associate Professor at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies in the Graduate Division, at Xavier University of Louisiana where she teaches a course entitled Moral Questions in the Black Community, she is also a volunteer faculty member at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Hospital for the Center for the Advancement of Undeserved Children. She also teaches in the Institute for Catholic Lay Life at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

As a community member, she serves on the Quality Assurance Committee for the Board of Directors for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. As a Catholic moralist, her current research interests involve the investigation of makeshift death shrines/memorials that are erected after gun violent homicides in the city of Milwaukee and beyond, health care ethics, and current moral issues, such as race, class and gender inequities/disparities in church and society.

Dr. Daniels-Sykes has published book chapters, book reviews, and journal articles in peer reviewed journals, and edited books. She has given television and radio interviews on her research on those makeshift death shrines; there are several newspaper articles on her death shrines’ research too.

Dr. Daniels-Sykes is a national and international keynote speaker and workshop presenter on topics related to theological social bioethics across the human life spectrum: beginning of life, middle of life, and end of life. She has been an active member for many years with the Catholic Theological Society of America. She is the past chair the Professional Conduct Committee for the Society of Christian Ethics and the past secretary and chair of the membership committee for the Black Catholic Theological Symposium.

Having won numerous awards for service in the Catholic Church and in society, Dr. Daniels-Sykes currently chairs the steering committee for the writing of the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan in conjunction with Archbishop Jerome Listecki of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

8:45 am – 9:45 am
Grand ABCDE

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis teaches about the “art of accompaniment.” What does that mean for us today in a world where people feel alone and are searching for meaning and how do we see each other as children of God and “remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5. (Evangelii Gaudium, 169).

KEYNOTE: Dr. Ansel Augustine

Dr. Ansel Augustine is originally from the Archdiocese of New Orleans and served as the Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries and as the Associate Director/Coordinator of Black Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese after rebuilding his home parish, St. Peter Claver, following Hurricane Katrina. He is also on the Faculty of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, and is also an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, LA Ansel has served on the national boards of NCYAMA and NFCYM, and has spoken around the country and written various pieces related to ministry. He presently serves as the Resident Campus Minister for Student Leadership and Faith Formation at St. John’s University in Queens, NY.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
DaVinci AB

Small Christian Communities (SCCs) are not just for Advent or Lent. They are a great way to accompany parishioners in deepening faith and participating in parish ministry. SCCs have a great appeal for parents, catechists, and young adults and provide a way to gather and walk with them. This workshop will offer insights into the “why” of SCCs, the benefits of small communities for adult formation as well as some tips on how to get started. Participants will be encouraged to share their experience.

Sr. Donna L. Ciangio

Sr. Donna is a Dominican Sister of Caldwell, New Jersey and holds a doctorate from Drew University. She is the director of Church Leadership Consultation and works internationally and nationally in promoting parish vitality and pastoral direction, congregational and leadership development, faith formation, Small Christian Communities, consulting with parishes and dioceses, and in many other areas.

She served as the International coordinator for Renew and the Director of Pastoral Services of the National Pastoral Life Center and as parish consultant for the Jesuit Conference USA. Sister Donna serves as the Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, New Jersey, is an adjunct professor in Drew University’s Doctor of Ministry program, and a consultant for RCL Benziger Publishing Company.

Her articles have appeared in Today’s Parish, Ligourian, CHURCH Magazine, and in publications from Crossroads, Paulist Press, and St. Anthony Messenger Press. Her current book is “Open Our Hearts: A Small Group Guide for an Active Lent” a faith sharing book (with Rev. Thomas Iwanowski) from Ave Maria Press and the most recent article, The Parish as a School of Discipleship, in Catechetical Leader, May 2014. Her most recent Lent book is entitled Conversations that Matter, Lent and Advent small group participants’ booklets.

Sr. Donna also serves on the Board of Trustees of Caldwell University and the Center for Ministry Development and is chairperson of the North American Forum for Small Christian Communities (NAFSCC.)

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
DFW AB

The art of accompaniment is inherently personal We know that children, youth, and adults learn best through multiple intelligences, interactive methods, and forms of engagement. How can we move beyond cookie cutter pedagogies to engage learners in ways that will have a lasting impact on their lives? Join us for a fun, lively, creative exploration of how we can teach about scripture, saints, and more using a more personalized and effective approach.

Phyllis Vos Wezeman

As a religious educator, Phyllis Wezeman has served as Director of Christian Nurture at a downtown congregation in South Bend, Indiana, Executive Director of the Parish Resource Center of Michiana, and Program Coordinator for ecumenical as well as interfaith organizations in Indiana and Michigan.

In academics, Phyllis has been Adjunct Faculty in the Education Department at Indiana University South Bend and in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is an “Honorary Professor” of the Saint Petersburg (Russia) State University of Pedagogical Art where she has taught methods courses for extended periods on several occasions. She has also been guest lecturer at the Shanghai Teachers College in China.

As founder of the not-for-profit Malawi Matters, Inc., she develops and directs HIV & AIDS Education programs with thousands of volunteers in nearly 200 villages in Malawi, Africa including “Creative Methods of HIV & AIDS Education,” “Culture & HIV-AIDS,” and “Equipping Women/Empowering Girls.” Author or co-author of over 1,950 articles and books, she has written for over 80 publishers.

Phyllis served as President of Active Learning Associates, Inc., a consultant or board member to numerous local and national organizations such as the American Bible Society, Church World Service, and the Peace Child Foundation; leader of a six-week youth exchange program to Russia and the Ukraine; and Project Director for four Lilley Worship Renewal grants. She is the recipient of three “Distinguished Alumni Awards” and recipient of the Aggiornamento Award from the Catholic Library Association. Wezeman holds undergraduate degrees in Business, Communications, and General Studies from various institutions and an MS in Education from Indiana University South Bend.

Phyllis and her husband Ken (who met when they were in second and third grade in elementary school) have three children and their spouses, Stephanie (Jeff), David, and Paul (Deha), five grandchildren, Quin, Ayle, Lief, Ashley, and Jacob, and a great-grandson, Maddox.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Heathrow AB

With the marked increase in the number of children and adolescents with autism in the United States estimated to affect 1 in every 68 American children (CDC) religious communities have felt increased pressure to both recognize the existence of the disabled and have had to begin creating meaningfully methods to educate and include them into services. A program centered on peer-teaching (modeling) of autistic children and teens has successfully helped many of these children and their parents re-enter their community Church. Through an innovative methods, where teen faith mentors have both helped prepare and educate developmentally delayed youth about God, they have included them in Sunday Liturgies as well.

Lawrence Sutton

Lawrence R. Sutton, Ph.D. is a Deacon in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Director of Pre-Theology Formation at St. Vincent College and Seminary. He also works as a Psychologist at the Wesley Spectrum Services in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and was the former Manager of the Western Region Office of the Bureau of Autism Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980 and has been licensed as a psychologist since 1983.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Hartsfield

In this era often characterized by a decline in sacramental practice, one frequently discussed way forward is what Pope Francis calls “pastoral accompaniment.” If the sacraments are to be experienced as the place of maximum encounter with God, and if such an encounter is to be transformative of persons and communities, the apprenticeship model described at Vatican II contains immense potential. How can we begin to seek out organic opportunities to build up a culture of mentoring our people to active sacramental living? What specific abilities can parents and catechists develop within themselves and within those they form, so that the sacraments can nourish us all over the course of a lifetime? Join us for a lively presentation and discussion on how the faith and conversion most needed for sacramental practice is best learned person-to-person.

Dr. James Pauley

Dr. James Pauley is Professor of Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University. He is author of the book, Liturgical Catechesis in the 21st Century: A School of Discipleship (Liturgy Training Publications, July 2017). In 2014, James was appointed editor of The Catechetical Review, Franciscan University’s journal dedicated to the new evangelization. James began working as a parish catechetical leader in 1989 and has served professionally in parish, diocesan and university catechetical formation for more than twenty-five years. Having received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in 2014, he is a frequent speaker in dioceses and parishes nationwide. James is married to Katrina and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Midway

Using his own artworks and the stories behind them, Bro Mickey will offer a fresh look at the colorful and cultural diversity of the Church. From Black Madonnas to St. Kateri Tekakwitha to holy heroes of our own times we will explore the unique and sacred gifts which all of God’s Children bring to the world.

Bro. Michael McGrath

Brother Mickey O’Neill McGrath, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, is an artist, writer, and speaker who loves to explore the relationship between art and faith. His work and ministry have been featured in St. Anthony Messenger, USA TODAY, and many Catholic newspaper articles around the country. Several of his covers for America Magazine have been given awards by the Catholic Press Association. He creates art for many of today’s leading Catholic publishers including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for whom he has designed posters for Catechetical Sunday, Home Missions Appeal, and National Migration Week.