Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Restricted to Lay Ministry participants. This workshop is ONLY available for current and former participants in our Diocesan Lay Ministry Formation and Leadership Program.

Father Dan Horan, is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province (NY), assistant professor of systematic theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the author of several books including the award-winning The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence on his Life, Thought, and Writing (2014). His latest book is titled, God Is Not Fair and other Reasons for Gratitude (2016). His next book, All God’s Creatures: A Theology of Creation is due out with Fortress Press in 2018. He is the author of more than 120 popular and scholarly articles; is a frequent lecturer and retreat director around the United States, Canada, and Europe; and has previously taught at Siena College, St. Bonaventure University, and in the School of Theology and Ministry of Boston College.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacraments & Liturgy

Consideramos la Misa del punto de vista de los varios ministerios litúrgicos, y como estos sirven y fomentan la participación de todos en la oración común de la asamblea.

Dr. Linda O’Brien-Rothe tuvo el privilegio de servir al pueblo de Guatemala como misionera de Maryknoll durante varios años. Sus estudios incluyen la teología y la liturgia, la música litúrgica, y la música latinoamericana, en lo que tiene su doctorado. Es maestra de Liturgia Pastoral en Loyola Marymount University, y de Liturgia Avanzada por la Oficina de Culto Divino de Los Ángeles. Da talleres sobre los ministerios litúrgicos y ha servido de directora de música y de liturgia en varias parroquias.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

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Keys to navigating as found in Scripture, the mystics, theologians, contemporary teachers and your own experience will give us good guidance so we can enjoy the journey. This workshop is about feeding your own soul. Your experience WILL feed others.

Sister Lois Dideon has been a Religious of the Cenacle for 53 years and is currently ministering at the Cenacle Retreat House in Houston Texas. She has her Master’s in Theology and Pastoral Counseling, Certified CPE, Supervisor, Certified Gestalt Therapist, with training in Jungian psychology, whose primary ministry is in spiritual direction and giving retreats and workshops. While living in Chicago she was on the faculty at the Catholic Theological School, Jesuit School of Theology and the Institute of Spiritual Leadership (ISL). In Houston she was on the staff of Shalom Renewal Center for clergy and religious as spiritual director for 20 years in addition to working in retreats and spiritual direction. She has been involved in teaching spiritual direction since 1972. Sr. Lois has given a variety of spiritual programs around the US and in other countries.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Have you ever experienced the Power of Evil operating in your life? Just when things seem to be going well, the Devil can find a way to “get in our business” and mess things up. It’s about time that we ask the Devil to leave. But dealing with the Devil is not easy, for the Devil is a powerful source. Yet, the Power of God surpasses all things. No Devil in our life can defeat our God. In this interactive workshop, we will try to discover “Who invited the Devil?” and more importantly, we will try to figure out how to “un-invite this unwanted guest.”

Father Tony Ricard, is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Campus Minister at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He is the Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish and is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Fr. Tony is the author of 10 awesome books which include “Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know,” and “Diary of An Unapologetic Roman Catholic Priest”. Since the 2000 Season, Fr. Tony has served as the Catholic Chaplain of the NFL’s 2010 World Champions – the New Orleans Saints. He is a native of New Orleans and a proud graduate of St. Augustine High School. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a Master of Theology degree from Xavier University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

What does it really mean to be a woman serving in ministry in the Catholic Church today? Through Scripture, storytelling, and song, in hard questions that seek complex but hopeful answers, let us explore the unique gifts and blessings that women bring. Come be inspired by the examples of disciples who have embraced trust in their baptism, giving new meaning to leadership, authority, and ministry. With them and with all women and men of faith, let us renew our claim to our rightful place, our indispensable work, and our prophetic call to serve God’s people in the Church.

Diana Macalintal is the co-director of TeamRCIA, a free online resource for catechumenate ministry. She is an author and speaker on liturgy, prayer, the RCIA, and intercultural ministry. She holds a Master of the Arts in Theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and has served in campus, parish, and diocesan ministries for 30 years. Her latest publications include The Work of Your Hands, a collection of prayers; Living Liturgy, a liturgical year resource; and Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of Community, all available at Liturgical Press.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

Come and learn techniques for proper use of our God given instrument: our voice. This presentation combines experience, testimony and prayer with a hands-on approach, allowing everyone to learn and understand key techniques to improve their skills as vocalists and choristers. All are welcome.

Rodolfo López is a musician, singer, composer producer, and workshop clinician who believes in the power of music to change the world and to draw people more deeply into the liturgy. He is active as a songwriter, soloist and arranger for various events at the national and international level. An accomplished guitarist, he is a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA), where he completed a bachelor of music in composition. Currently, Rodolfo works for Oregon Catholic Press as an Hispanic Events Specialist, recording producer, and clinician.

Estela García-López is a pastoral musician, composer and event presenter. She has worked in various bilingual parishes in Southern California as a music director, choir director, cantor, and chorister. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in music with an emphasis in voice from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). In both her career and her ministry, Estela is committed to enriching the liturgy, in both English and Spanish, through music. Currently, she is working as a specialist of Music Development at OCP, and serves as music director for Hispanic Music Ministry at Ascension Church in Portland, Oregon.

Anna Betancourt is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University where she studied under the direction of Paul Salumonovich. She later returned to her alma mater to work as assistant director of liturgy and music for LMU Campus Ministry. She has over 20 years of experience directing various choirs, ranging from Spanish and traditional choirs to handbell, children’s and contemporary ensembles. At the Archdiocesan level, she has served as a music committee member, deanery representative and a member of the Religious Education Congress Liturgy Committee. Anna has also been a speaker and presenter at various conferences and workshops on music and liturgy

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Morality & Doctrine

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Five states have legalized physician-assisted suicide and Nevada has been targeted by those seeking to expand this agenda. Assisted suicide lies at the borders between medical ethics and social justice: It violates a fundamental principle in the physician’s traditional oath, and it tests our nation’s tradition of equal protection under law by replacing suicide prevention with suicide “assistance” for one class of vulnerable people. Nevada’s legalization bill will be reviewed to highlight how this agenda poses real and practical dangers to those who deserve our utmost care.

Richard Doerflinger retired last year from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, where for 36 years he prepared policy statements and testimony on abortion, euthanasia and other medical-moral issues. He has published in many journals, and his syndicated column is distributed by the national Catholic News Service. He is an Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute and a Fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethics and Culture. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Chicago, and conducted doctoral studies in Theology there and at the Catholic University of America.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Doctrine

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A primary way to keep our eyes on God is to keep our eyes on creation. Over two years ago, Pope Francis wrote in his widely acclaimed encyclical Laudato si, Faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet” ( #3). Come, listen, and participate as Fr. Mark Hanifan and Fr. Chuck Durante are joined by , Rita Sloan, Betty Bishop and friends to unpack this beautiful document.

Laudato Si Panel Fr. Mark Hanifan and Fr. Chuck Durante are joined by, Rita Sloan, Betty Bishop and friends to form this special panel.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacred Scripture

Nearly every one of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances includes the exhortation for his disciples to “Be Not Afraid!” And yet, we live in a world in which fear is a constant threat to Christian discipleship, to our becoming instruments of God’s peace, love, and justice in the world. This workshop looks at how to respond to a culture that promotes fear of the “other,” especially those who are different in race, gender, religion, nationality, or language of birth. Drawing on the Gospels, as well as wisdom figures including Pope Francis, Thomas Merton, Óscar Romero, and others, we will examine how to keep our eyes on Christ, and embrace trust in God and discipleship amid a culture of fear and violence.

Father Dan Horan, is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province (NY), assistant professor of systematic theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the author of several books including the award-winning The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence on his Life, Thought, and Writing (2014). His latest book is titled, God Is Not Fair and other Reasons for Gratitude (2016). His next book, All God’s Creatures: A Theology of Creation is due out with Fortress Press in 2018. He is the author of more than 120 popular and scholarly articles; is a frequent lecturer and retreat director around the United States, Canada, and Europe; and has previously taught at Siena College, St. Bonaventure University, and in the School of Theology and Ministry of Boston College.

Session 3: 10:00 – 11:15 am

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

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“The cinema has always been interested in God” and this session will introduce sacramental ways to find God in the dark, to see Jesus on the silver screen and ways to discover Jesus-figures, i.e. heroes and heroines who exemplify the teachings of the Lord Jesus in drama, laughter and tears. A “critical lens” will also be presented.

Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP is the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, CA. She is a media education specialist and an award winning author of several books on media literacy in faith formation, and scripture and film. Her most recent books are biographies of Martin Sheen and Corita Kent (Liturgical Press). She is the film critic for St. Anthony Messenger and the National Catholic Reporter.