11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Is it your experience that parent-chauffeurs occupy the parking lot while their children attend religious education classes or other events? Why not invite your taxi-community inside for refreshment and an easy-on-the-nerves evangelization session? Offer mini-sessions related to child-rearing issues, character development, and family spirituality. Catechetical Leaders have no need to add yet one more task to their already overloaded job description. Parent-facilitators are easy to train. This session will offer practical advice as well as free, ready-to-use resources.

Dr. Patricia McCormack, IHM, is an international formation-education consultant.  Her practical experience in education includes both classroom and administration experience at the elementary, secondary and college levels.  In addition to publications, her ministry includes parent presentations as well as workshops, retreats and days of in-service to the educational community.

11:15 a.m. -12:15 a.m.

We take it for granted, but the fact is that God’s fatherhood is the single most revolutionary concept of the faith and the everlasting source of mercy. Dr. Hahn will discuss the pivotal statement of our faith, The Creed, the important role the development of the Creed in the formation of the early Church, and the role it plays in our world today.

Dr. Scott Hahn, an exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Hahn has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple-major in Theology, Philosophy and Economics from Grove City College, Pennsylvania, in 1979, his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1982, and his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Marquette University in 1995. Scott has ten years of youth and pastoral ministry experience in Protestant congregations (in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Kansas and Virginia) and is a former Professor of Theology at Chesapeake Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1982 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia. He entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, 1986.

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

At times, “Silence is Golden” is indeed quite true. But, there are times when our silence can truly become deadly. That is why the Lord said to St. Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.” (Acts 18:9-10) Sometimes, we have to “Say Something….” The marginalized sectors of society are begging us to speak up. This workshop will strive to be a voice for our society’s voiceless. It will address the silent cries of the unborn, the underemployed, the LBGT community, the incarcerated, and many more. It is time for us to break the silence and “Say Something….”

Fr. Tony Ricard, M.Th., M.Div., is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. He is also a former Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. Fr. Tony has given keynote addresses, retreats, revivals, and youth talks across the nation. At last count, he has preached in 20 countries.  He is the author of the books, “I Still Believe: A Testimony of Faith After the Storm,”“Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know,” “I Don’t Make Them Up!Reflections, Stories and Jokes from a Faithful Fool,” “Keepin’ It Real: Reflections onFaith, Hope and Forgiveness,” “The Eagle Story” and “Diary of An Unapologetic Roman Catholic Priest”.

11:15 a.m.-12:15 a.m.

Adaptive catechesis requires that we have an assortment of instructional strategies and best practices available to successfully serve a wide variety of learners (e.g., autism, intellectual/ developmental delays, dyslexia, etc.). The ability to identify emotional and behavioral needs helps us to evaluate and implement effective responses that support the learner and promote inclusion. Come fill your “backpack” with practical tips and tools to be the best catechist you can be!

Charleen Katra, is an Associate Director in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. For seventeen years her responsibilities have included Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Early Childhood Ministries and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Charleen speaks frequently at national, state and local events. Most notable are her presentations regarding successful strategies and best practices for the inclusion of diverse learners in faith formation and sacramental preparation programs and celebrations. She believes that hospitality and evangelization are the foundations of this ministry which underscore Catholic social teaching regarding the dignity of the person. She has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education and a Masters in Pastoral Studies. From 2010 through 2014 she served as a founding member, then Co-chair/Chair, of the Autism Task Force for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD).

Sponsored by William Sadlier