Category Archives: NCCL Monday PM Speakers

Tim Pisacich

1:30 – 3:00 pm | Clearwater

212: Why Do They Do It That Way? Mentoring Millennials in an Intergenerational Church

Tim Pisacich grew up in Waterford, Connecticut, and studied political science and writing at Providence College. After graduating in 2007, he spent three years in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he served as a Jesuit Volunteer and taught religion and publishing at a small diocesan high school for two years. He moved to South Bend in 2010 to begin the Master of Divinity program at Notre Dame. After he graduated from the M.Div. in 2013, he began working with Echo as Assistant Director of Human, Communal, and Spiritual Formation.

Rich Curran

1:30 – 3:00 pm| City Terrace 11

202: Individual Spiritual Growth Plans: What They Are and Why You Need Them!

Rich Curran is the founder and executive director of Parish Success Group, a Catholic non-profit organization that provides professional skill and organizational development training and coaching to ministry leaders. He is a regular presenter at national, regional and diocesan Catholic conferences, school assemblies, parish missions and staff leadership days speaking to over 50,000 each year.

Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D.

1:30 – 3:00 pm | City Terrace 4

215: El Quinto Encuentro como modelo de catequesis evangelizadora

Hosffman Ospino, PhD is professor de teología y educación religiosa en Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry. Él es autor de varios libros sobre catequesis y sobre el ministerio hispano. Actualmente trabaja en dos libros sobre parroquias multiculturales. Sirvió como investigador principal delEstudio nacional de parroquias católicas con ministerio hispano

Hosffman Ospino, PhD is Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry. He has authored and edited several works on religious education and Hispanic ministry and has two forthcoming books on Catholic congregations. He served as the Principal Investigator for the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry (2011-2014) and the first National Survey of Catholics Schools Serving Hispanic Families. Dr. Ospino serves on the Core Team steering the Fifth Encuentro process.

Greg Kremer

1:30 – 3:00 pm | Daytona

206: Forming Missionary Disciples through Parish Small-Faith Sharing Groups

Gregory Kremer has been working for RENEW International since 1998, currently as the Director of Diocesan Sales and Services. In this role, he speaks frequently with diocesan and parish clergy and staff on topics related to evangelization and faith formation.

Before coming to RENEW International, he received an MDiv from Seattle University, WA. Mr. Kremer has worked full-time for the Catholic Church for almost three decades in a variety of ministries including ministry formation, parish renewal, small Christian communities, social outreach, juvenile detention, youth/young adults. Greg and his wife, Kate are the parents of three children.

Peter Ductram

1:30 – 3:00 pm | City Terrace 8

214: Hechos a Imagen de Dios: Catequesis para Niños con Necesidades Especiales

Peter J. Ductram es el Director Arquidiocesano para la Catequesis en la Arquidiócesis de Miami. Nacido en Lima, Perú; sirvió en Perú, Chile, Brasil y los Estados Unidos. Es casado y tiene tres hermosos niños. El más pequeño de sus hijos fue diagnosticado con autismo, la cual solidificó su pasión para la Catequesis para niños con necesidades especiales. El obtuvo una Maestría en Artes de la Teología (2005) y una Maestría en Divinidad, con especialización en Biblia (2015) en la Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. El Señor Ductram está finalizando un Doctorado en la Universidad de Barry. El sirvió en la Arquidiócesis de Chicago por aproximadamente 12 años como Coordinador del Ministerio Hispano, Director de Educación Religiosa y Coordinador de Evangelización. En este momento sirve como miembro de la mesa directiva de la Federación para la Catequesis con Hispanos en NCCL; co-chair del comité nacional ENAHVE de la Conferencia de los Obispos de Estados Unidos; y miembro del equipo de redacción de la Iniciativa Nacional para la Catequesis para Adolescentes.

Peter J. Ductram is the Archdiocesan Director for Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Miami. Born in Lima, Peru; he served in Peru, Chile, Brazil and the United States. He is married and has three beautiful children. The smallest of his children was diagnosed with Autism, which solidified his passion for Catechesis for children with special needs. He earned a Master of Arts in Theology (2005) and a Master of Divinity degree, majoring in Bible (2015) at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Mr. Ductram is completing a PhD at Barry University. He served in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 12 years as the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, Director of Religious Education and Coordinator of Evangelization. Currently serving on the board of the Federation for Catechesis with Hispanics in NCCL; co-chair of the national committee ENAHVE of the Conference of Bishops of the United States; and member of the editorial team of the National Initiative for Adolescent Catechesis.

Nancy Bird

1:30 – 3:00 pm | Conference Center B

201: The Care and Feeding of Catechists: Seven Simple Strategies to Honor, Inspire and Motivate Your Catechists!

Nancy Bird has been involved in religious education for over 30 years as a catechist, parish catechetical leader and youth minister. She combines practical experience, creativity and motivational enthusiasm to energize those called to embrace and live their Baptism joyfully. Nancy has been a featured speaker, workshop presenter and retreat facilitator across the US and Canada. Presently she serves as Director of Training and Development for RCL Benziger Religion Publishing Company and resides in Tallmadge Ohio.

Deacon Steve Mitchell

1:30 – 3:00 pm | Orlando

207: Alpha and the Year of Mercy

Deacon Steve Mitchell, National Director for Alpha in a Catholic Context.

Steve was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit, (AOD) in October 2002 after receiving his Masters Degree from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Pastoral Studies. Deacon Steve leads the team to support parishes to utilize Alpha to respond to the call of the new evangelization. He supports parishes across the country with Alpha and is available to help answer questions, concerns or challenges.

Mary Ann Ronan

1:30 – 3:00 pm | St. John

211: The Future of Adult Faith Formation

Mary Ann Ronan does contract ministry in Adult Faith Formation at St. Thomas More Parish, Glendale, AZ. She has been a PCL since 1977. Her experience in junior high teaching, an Assistant Principal, then Principal and Director of Faith Formation in several parishes, one being twenty-two years at St. Paul Parish Phoenix, AZ. Her experience led her to do retreats, evenings of prayer and spiritual direction. Treasurer (2003-2006) President of the Board of Directors of NCCL (2006-2009). Her love of AFF brought her to work on Seasons of Adult Faith Formation with John Roberto and others. Seasons is designed to provide all faith formation leaders with a deeper understanding of adulthood today, a vision of twenty-first century AFF, tools and processes for designing AFF for all seasons of adulthood.