​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Thomas Awiapo

The presentation will involve sharing Thomas’s life story of struggle and survival, a story of hope and how that has impacted and continues to impact his faith and his work. He will conclude by entreating the audience to allow God to use them as His instruments of love and care for our brothers and sisters most in need.

About the Speaker:
Growing up in a small African village in Ghana, Thomas was orphaned before the age of ten and left on his own to struggle for survival. He was the second of four brothers; his youngest two brothers died of malnutrition and lack of care. His search for food led him to an elementary school, where he was fed a small meal every day.  He survived, studied, and eventually won scholarships to attend college. He later earned a master’s degree from California State University. Today, Thomas works for Catholic Relief Services, training community leaders throughout Ghana, where he lives with his wife and four children.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Jennifer Campbell

Come to this workshop and walk away with a how to guide for creating your own retreat for your students.

About the Speaker:
Jennifer is currently the Director of Trinity Pines Catholic Center and Camp Pendola. Previously she served as a Youth Minister and Confirmation coordinator where she has created and led retreats for youth in middle and high school.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Lindsey West

Have you ever tried getting middle schoolers to pray only to have at least one student that doesn’t know what’s going on, a couple students that mock the prayer, and many students that couldn’t care less? Whether you’re a youth minister, teacher, DRE, or play some other role in the faith lives of middle schoolers, it’s possible to lead middle schoolers deeper than most people imagine. In this session we will discuss and practice techniques, styles, and approaches to helping middle schoolers develop and deepen maturing spiritual and prayer lives. Get ready to think, work, and share ideas you can bring back to your parish or school.

​About the Speaker:
Lindsey West is the Sacramento Regional Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Sacramento. She’s a speaker, retreat leader, and has done training for several parish, school, diocesan, and national events, including NCCYM. Lindsey earned her Master of Theological Studies with a concentration in Systematics from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California; her thesis was on ecclesial integration of autism communities. Lindsey lives just outside of Sacramento with her husband and their son, who is on the autism spectrum.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Sue Schuttinger

We travel along a life long journey of continuing conversion and growth in faith but we do not walk alone. Come and join others and experience practical, creative ideas and activities to engage children, young adults and parents. No need to bring back packs, hiking shoes, or even pens and pencils. We will learn by doing and who knows, we may be able to help others in their vocational discernment. Come and take the first step, or be reenergized as we continue the journey.

This workshop is also offered on Friday at 2:30pm as B-03 and Saturday at 2:30pm as D-06.

​About the Speaker:
I have served as a DRE and Liturgy Director in the Diocese of San Jose and currently serve on the RCIA team at Divine Savior, Orangevale. I have presented at diocesan conferences in San Jose, San Francisco, Yakima, Portland, Monterey, Santa Rosa and Fresno, and have presented at DRE trainings at additional dioceses of Stockton and Oakland.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Sarah Ruano & Kelly Boylan

This session covers Dr. Jean Twenge’s book, “iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood… and What That Means for the Rest of Us.” Presenters will examine key aspects of the book and explore implications for Catholic education in schools, parishes, and at home.

This workshop is also offered on Friday at 2:30pm as B-05.

​About the Speakers:
Sarah Ruano is Director of Data and Assessment at St. Francis Catholic High School. She began her career as a high school English teacher and has worked at the U.S. Department of Education and UC Davis. At St. Francis, her work includes WASC/WCEA accreditation, program and teacher evaluation, and student assessment. Kelly Boylan is the Enrollment Management Associate at St. Francis Catholic High School. She received her bachelors degree in Family Studies and masters degree in Child Development, both from Sacramento State University. At St. Francis, Kelly works closely with Student Ambassadors to actively engage with prospective students and parents at a variety of events, and is dedicated to helping students and families make a smooth transition to high school.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Paul LeBoeuf

Let’s chat about how we can help young people encounter and respond to a living and living God! In this workshop we will explore ways to get young people to slow down, look, listen, and respond to the call of Christ. ​

​About the Speaker:
I am in my 22nd year as director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit High School. Before Jesuit, I spent 10 years as a parish youth minister. I am currently on the liturgy committee at St Francis Parish in Sacramento.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Sherry Hayes-Peirce

This session will focus on sharing best practices for using social media. We will review how important it is to craft an appropriate image on social media explore the consequences when you don’t. The course will help students and teachers understand the relevance and importance of social media as a communication tool in framing who they are and how it can be interpreted by others. Attendees will be able to form a personal standard of conduct on social media that frames them as a person not just a profile for popularity!
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​About the Speaker:
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is an internationally known speaker on church social media strategy. She has worked with the Archdiocese of Seattle, been a featured speaker at the 2015 Northwest Regional Catholic Stewardship Conference, 2017 Los Angeles Archdiocese C3 Technology Conference and wrote a featured article for Angelus News on social media titled “5 Things Every Parish Should Post”.

​​Session A | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Annette Roux

Have you ever felt that you have lost the Joy in Ministry? What is Divine Joy and how can we achieve it? What situations can rob us of our joy and how do we overcome them?
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​About the Speaker:
I have been the Pastoral Associate at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, California in the Diocese of Oakland. I am responsible for the Faith Formation of the parish including Children, Youth, Adults and Grief Ministry.I assist the Pastor in the implementation of parish programs and Liturgies. I have been a presenter for NALM in 2016,Albequerque AND 2017, Indianapolis.