This session considers the third apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis calling us back to the basics of Christian faith—personal holiness and love of God and neighbor. After a brief introduction on the weight of official documents, we will consider key points of Francis’ GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE (Rejoice and Be Glad,) alluding to the office and style, of the Holy Father.

Dr. Robert Marko, a husband, father and grandfather, chairs Aquinas College’s Theology Department. A twice US Fulbright Scholar in Greco-Catholic Ukraine, he passionately argues for communion of all Christians with the Pope of Rome, the symbol of unity in Christ’s Church.

Dimension: Theology 

Also offered as C-6

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 A-19

We remember saints, sages, and heroes from Socrates and Leonidas to Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa not for their wealth or success, but for their extraordinary virtue. Far from a list of “shalt nots,” virtue is the power of being fully alive and fully ourselves—actively pursuing God’s particular plan for us. Learn how to naturally and passionately impart the indispensable lesson of virtuous living in your  classroom while avoiding the common pitfalls of character education.

Zachary Good began to serve as a teacher and administrator at Sacred Heart Academy in 2013 when the school began a transition to a classical model. Zach graduated from Hillsdale College with a double-major in Classical Studies and English and has taught students in 5th through 12th grades. Through studying the works of Shakespeare, Dante, Bl. John Henry Newman, and the Church Fathers, Zach was drawn to the Catholic faith and joined the Church at Easter in 2009. He lives with his wife, four children, and usually a few dozen chickens on a hill in the woods in Ada.

Dimension: Spirituality

The National Directory of Catechesis says, “The communication of faith in catechesis is first of all, “an event of grace” under the action of the Holy Spirit, “realized in the encounter of the word of God with the experience of the person.” p.96.

Catechists as spiritual companions flip the script. Spiritual companionship is grounded in the understanding that all people, young and old, have a sense of a sacred encounter with Christ and therefore textbook material is not the goal but the means to assist people in naming their sacred experiences. This workshop will explore the ways in which a catechist moves beyond imparting information to becoming a spiritual companion to those they serve.

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

More than ever before, social media exposes kids, their pictures, their location, their mood, their friends, and their problems to potential traffickers. This session will start with a high-level overview of human  trafficking, tips on how to spot it, and the community’s role in helping to end it. We’ll finish the session with some tips on how parents can keep their children safe by learning about how traffickers may use the internet and social media.

Meahgan Pear – passionately curious and driven by wonder – is a professional marketer who lives for experiences and the stories they create. Having spent over seven years volunteering her time and talents with anti-human trafficking efforts, Meahgan  continues her work today as the Chair for the Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force. She is also a founding board member of Solutions to End Exploitation (SEE) and Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP).

Dimension: Evangelization  

After hearing students substitute “my consciousness” for “my conscience tells me,” I became interested in Conscience Formation. This workshop will foster an informative adult conversation on our images of God and our formation of conscience. We meet people of all ages who live and face difficult choices, yet often are using an image of God and an understanding of conscience from their much earlier developmental understandings of these two graced realities. How do we as educators help to develop and nurture the growth of these essential understanding in ourselves and in young and older fellow Christians as we walk with, mentor or teach these faith understandings. And, how do these   understandings affect our ongoing relationships with God and the Church?

Sr. Mary Kay Oosdyke, OP is a Dominican Sister, currently involved in itinerant ministry of Faith Education and Spiritual Formation for Adults. Her area of ministry has included theology and education on many levels from 2nd grade through higher education, including lay and ordained ministry education and spiritual formation.

Dimension: Evangelization 

Also offered as C-9

The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd requires a parish or school to provide students with a three-year cycle of handmade materials for each atria level offered. Resourcefulness and collaboration is the key. Community involvement creates an awareness of what CGS offers. The youth encounter Jesus’ love through the Scripture, liturgy and sacraments materials made by their community. This workshop will provide practical methods on how to recognize gifts and resources,  often hidden, within your faith community. Participants will also have an opportunity to make a simple material and enjoy fellowship.

Donna Phillips is the Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator at Prince of Peace Parish in North Muskegon. Donna is certified by the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, United States, to teach Level I, Level II and Level III. She is also a Virtus Protecting God’s Children Facilitator for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Dimension: Evangelization

An impassioned presentation of both current irrefutable statistics and historical documentation of our national struggle for multicultural identity as Americans will be presented with an opportunity for both discussion and feedback. We will ask the question of why we have not learned as a nation from our past mistakes of oppressing those considered newcomers to our nation of immigrants. We will explore the many facets of cultural differences that both enrich our communities and at the same time serve as rationale for scapegoating for those who fall victim to the fear-mongering of close-minded voices. Finally, we will remind ourselves that our Catholic calling not only encourages us to embrace diversity, but calls us to action to be a voice of truth and the hand of compassion.

Rick Muniz is the Principal of San Juan Diego Academy, a K-8 school within the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Rick is an educator, writer, speaker, activist and former journalist who regularly presents on issues of diversity.

Dimension: Spirituality 

Also offered as C-19

This presentation will consider the 4 last things and show how they shape the life of faith.

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

Dimension: Theology