Dear Catechists,

I welcome you to our annual Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference with its theme “Embrace, Trust, Hope”. Also, I thank you for your commitment and dedication to this vital ministry in the Church today.

Saint John Paul II said that young people are for the Church “a special gift of the Spirit of God.” He said that, “Sometimes when we look at the young, with the problems and weaknesses that characterize them in contemporary society, we tend to be pessimistic.” But his experience with the young taught him “that young people, whatever their possible ambiguities, have a profound longing for those genuine values which find their fullness in Christ.”

Therefore when “Christ is presented to young people as he really is they experience him as an answer that is convincing and they can accept his message, even when it is demanding and bears the mark of the Cross.” Catechesis is, nevertheless, a daunting task. When we consider the magnitude of it all, it is something that the best possible position to start from is “on our knees”. Please be assured on my continued prayers for you and for those entrusted to your care. By word and example may we lead them to a mature faith-one that will be expressed in clear, convinced and valiant personal options.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Archbishop of Miami

Dear Friends in Ministry,

It is with joy that I welcome you to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference 2017 “Embrace.Trust. Hope.” We are celebrating 39 years of Conferences! We hope you find it as an experience that captivates and renews your catechetical mission.

We thank the many leaders who have made this possible along these fruitful years. Always sensitive to our cultural diversity, the Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference offers several opportunities to experience and celebrate the richness of our community of faith. We will start with a Trilingual Mass! We are honored to have the presence of His Excellency Archbishop Thomas Wenski, main celebrant and priests of the Archdiocese who will also be concelebrating in our Eucharistic ceremony.

This year we will be honoring two amazing women Mrs. Rosalvina Diaz, Catechetical Assistant at Our Lady of the Lakes; Mrs. Ana Olaso-Stunham, Catechist at Saint Louis Church with the Annual “Esperanza Ginoris” Award which recognizes individuals or teams who best exemplify the standards of catechetical ministry excellence and serve as models for catechesis in the Archdiocese of Miami.

I am grateful for the amazing work of the planning committee, the many volunteers involved in the development of this year’s conference, our exhibitors, and the generosity of our sponsors for the gift that they generously offer to the ministry of Catechesis.

Peter J Ductrám, Director
Office of Catechesis

Estimados amigos en el ministerio,

Con alegría les doy la bienvenida a la Conferencia Catequética Arquidiocesana 2017 “Abraza. Confia. Espera.” Estamos celebrando 39 años de conferencias! Esperamos que tengan una experiencia que cautive y renueve su misión catequética.
Agradecemos a los muchos líderes que han hecho esto posible a lo largo de estos años. Siempre sensible a nuestra diversidad cultural, la Conferencia Catequética de la Arquidiócesis ofrece varias oportunidades para experimentar y celebrar la riqueza de nuestra comunidad de fe. Vamos a empezar con una misa trilingüe! Tendremos el honor de contar con la presencia de Su Excelencia el Arzobispo Thomas Wenski, celebrante principal y sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis quien también concelebrarán en nuestra ceremonia Eucarística.
Este año estaremos honrando a dos mujeres increíbles: Sra. Rosalvina Diaz, Asistente Catequetico de Our Lady of the Lakes y la Sra. Ana Olaso-Stunham, catequista de la parroquia Saint Louis con el Premio anual “Esperanza Ginoriz” el cual reconoce a individuos o equipos que mejor ejemplifican los estándares de excelencia del ministerio catequético y sirven como modelos para la catequesis en la Arquidiócesis de Miami.
Estoy muy agradecido por la gran labor del comité de planificación, los voluntarios y nuestros patrocinadores por el don que generosamente ofrecen al ministerio de la Catequesis.

Bread Broken, Eyes Opened
10:00 a.m.   MACC 2

Each time we celebrate the Mass we enter into the heavenly liturgy which is so powerfully and beautifully described in the Book of Revelation. Dr. Hahn will help us to understand the Book of Revelation in the light of the Mass.

Dr. Scott Hahn has been married to Kimberly since 1979. He and Kimberly have six children and are expecting their fourteenth grandchild. 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.

Catequesis Con Espiritu Misionero Y Profetico
10:00 a.m.    MACC 1

Nos encontramos en medio de un cambio de época, como bien  nos recuerda el Papa Francisco, el cual trae consigo un sinnúmero de desafíos y posibilidades para los discípulos cristianos. Éste es un momento propicio para imaginar una catequesis con espíritu misionero y profético en los Estados Unidos, la cual responda a las realidades actuales y nos invite a forjar el futuro inmediato de esta tarea tan importante en la vida de la Iglesia.

Dr. Hosffman Ospino, nació en Colombia donde cursó estudios de licenciatura en Filosofía. Enseñó filosofía y religión en diversos niveles académicos y trabajó para la Confederación Nacional de Educación Católica de Colombia. Tiene una maestría en teología con concentración en la Historia de la Iglesia y un doctorado en Teología y Educación de Boston College. La investigación del Dr. Ospino se centra en el diálogo entre la teología y la cultura y el impacto de este intercambio sobre la educación teológica católica, la catequesis y el ministerio. Ha dado conferencias a nivel nacional e internacional sobre estas áreas. Él y su esposa, Guadalupe, están activamente involucrados en el Ministerio Hispano en Boston

Lunch Entertainment
MACC 2

Jackie Francois is a full-time traveling speaker, singer/ songwriter, and worship leader from Orange County, CA. In 2006, she became an artist with OCP/SpiritandSong.com with whom she has released two albums. She has been involved in youth ministry since she graduated high school, and she now travels the globe speaking to young people about God’s love and leading worship for various events and ministries. In 2013, she married the love of her life, Bobby Angel, and they now have two adorable little girls and a baby on the way!

Special Education Track

This year we will be offering enrichment and hands-on sessions for special education. Catholic School teachers may be awarded ESE credits for the sessions which deal with special needs students by submitting the appropriate MIP paperwork to the attention of Hope Sadowski, Coordinator of Foreign Students and Administrative Executive Assistant for the Office of Catholic Schools.

Este año ofreceremos sesiones de enriquecimiento para la educación especial. Maestros de escuelas Católicas podrán recibir créditos ESE por participar en estas sesiones al presentar la documentación apropiada de MIP dirigida a Hope Sadowski, Coordinadora de Estudiantes del Exterior y Asistente Ejecutiva de la Oficina de Escuelas Católicas

Sacred Space
 MACC 100

Sacred Space provides a quiet place to pray and participate in the permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament where you can mindfully reflect on your journey of faith.

El Espacio Sagrado provee un ambiente en silencio para orar en la presencia del Santísimo Sacramento del altar.

WHAT IS THE ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHETICAL CONFERENCE?
The Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference, sponsored by the Office of Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Miami, is the largest annual gathering of catechetical teams, parish Catholic School teachers, catechetical leaders, youth ministers and parish ministers in an experience that captivates and renews our catechetical mission.

REGISTRATION
No on-site check-in is necessary for those who have already registered. Upon arrival at the conference, participants will receive a participant package.

Catechists and Catholic School teachers certified during this Catechetical Sunday, please check-in by the door to receive pin and instructions.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Pre-registration is necessary. Complimentary coffee and pastries are provided early morning. A boxed lunch is included in the registration fee. Please have your lunch box ticket ready. There is a concession stand by the hotel mall.

QUE ES LA CONFERENCIA CATEQUETICA ARQUIDIOCESANA?
La Conferencia Catequética Arquidiocesana, auspiciada por la Oficina para la Catequesis en la Arquidiócesis de Miami, es el encuentro anual de Líderes Catequéticos, Catequistas, Maestros de la Escuela Católica y Ministros juveniles la cual cautiva y renueva nuestra misión catequética.

REGISTRACIONES
Inscripción en la conferencia no es necesaria para aquellos que se han registrado previamente. Al llegar a la conferencia, participantes recibirán un paquete de participación.

Los Catequistas y Maestros a certificar, favor registrarse en la puerta para recibir instrucciones. Los certificados estarán disponibles después de Misa.

DESAYUNO Y ALMUERZO
Registración previa es necesaria. Café y panecillos serán proveídos en la mañana después de Misa. La caja de almuerzo esta incluida en la inscripción. No hay restaurante disponible cerca del la escuela. Por favor, tenga su boleto listo para obtener su almuerzo.