3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
TEGEL

En virtud de nuestro bautismo, todos los miembros de la Iglesia; catequistas, líderes, y comunidad parroquial; estamos llamados a responder a las necesidades espirituales, sacramentales y de fe comunitaria de nuestras familias con niños, jóvenes y adultos con discapacidades. Tenemos un papel primordial en su formación como discípulos misioneros “llamados a salir de la propia comodidad y atreverse a llegar a todas las periferias que necesitan la luz del Evangelio” (EG, 20).

Esther Gracia

Esther, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Certificate of Bible Studies, Pastoral Formation, Master Catechist and Catechetical Leadership training from the Diocese of Dallas. She has over 27 years of experience as a catechist, community and ecclesial volunteer. She worked as Director of Faith Formation at Sacred Heart Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and teacher at the Autism Treatment Center of Dallas. She is specialized in leading catechetical programs for children, youth, adults, and families. In addition, she leads programs in special education – autism and others disabilities – and early childhood in multicultural communities. Esther is a member of the Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability from 2014, the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), and the Federación para la Catequesis con Hispanos (FCH).

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Malpensa

An examination of the newly published document by the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis, “The Joy of Adolescent Catechesis”, written to inspire those who are involved in catechetical ministry with adolescents. This interactive session will break open the content of the document as well as facilitate opportunities for participants to share input on the practical applications of the principles presented, and provide suggestions to the PAC organizations (NCEA, NCCL and NFCYM) on tools and resources most needed in supporting leaders and catechists as they move forward in hope to accompany young people and their families through parish and school ministry.

Andrea Kopp

Andrea Kopp serves at the Assistant Director of Professional Development for the National Catholic Educational Association. She has 17 years of teaching and ministry experience and joined the staff of NCEA in 2015. Andrea has held several leadership roles in the schools and parishes where she has served including: Social Studies Department Chair, iPad Coordinator, Google Apps Administrator, Curriculum Team Leader, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator. In her work at NCEA she produces and hosts their webinar content, serves as the NCEA representative on several national committees and works closely with Catholic partner organizations as well as speaking and presenting at a variety of conferences and events. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and 2 boys.

Michael Theisen

Michael Theisen has been involved in faith formation and ministry to youth and families for 30 years, authoring more than 15 books and numerous articles. His experience as a speaker, trainer and ministry leader reaches from parish to diocesan and national levels and he enjoys creatively engaging learners and colleagues on the topic of passing on the faith to the next generation of disciples. Michael works as the Director of Ministry Formation for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) in Washington DC and also serves as the National Coordinator for the Strong Catholic Families Initiative. He resides with his family in Rochester, NY.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Midway

Using his own artworks and the stories behind them, Bro Mickey will offer a fresh look at the colorful and cultural diversity of the Church. From Black Madonnas to St. Kateri Tekakwitha to holy heroes of our own times we will explore the unique and sacred gifts which all of God’s Children bring to the world.

Bro. Michael McGrath

Brother Mickey O’Neill McGrath, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, is an artist, writer, and speaker who loves to explore the relationship between art and faith. His work and ministry have been featured in St. Anthony Messenger, USA TODAY, and many Catholic newspaper articles around the country. Several of his covers for America Magazine have been given awards by the Catholic Press Association. He creates art for many of today’s leading Catholic publishers including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for whom he has designed posters for Catechetical Sunday, Home Missions Appeal, and National Migration Week.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Hartsfield

In this era often characterized by a decline in sacramental practice, one frequently discussed way forward is what Pope Francis calls “pastoral accompaniment.” If the sacraments are to be experienced as the place of maximum encounter with God, and if such an encounter is to be transformative of persons and communities, the apprenticeship model described at Vatican II contains immense potential. How can we begin to seek out organic opportunities to build up a culture of mentoring our people to active sacramental living? What specific abilities can parents and catechists develop within themselves and within those they form, so that the sacraments can nourish us all over the course of a lifetime? Join us for a lively presentation and discussion on how the faith and conversion most needed for sacramental practice is best learned person-to-person.

Dr. James Pauley

Dr. James Pauley is Professor of Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University. He is author of the book, Liturgical Catechesis in the 21st Century: A School of Discipleship (Liturgy Training Publications, July 2017). In 2014, James was appointed editor of The Catechetical Review, Franciscan University’s journal dedicated to the new evangelization. James began working as a parish catechetical leader in 1989 and has served professionally in parish, diocesan and university catechetical formation for more than twenty-five years. Having received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in 2014, he is a frequent speaker in dioceses and parishes nationwide. James is married to Katrina and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Heathrow AB

With the marked increase in the number of children and adolescents with autism in the United States estimated to affect 1 in every 68 American children (CDC) religious communities have felt increased pressure to both recognize the existence of the disabled and have had to begin creating meaningfully methods to educate and include them into services. A program centered on peer-teaching (modeling) of autistic children and teens has successfully helped many of these children and their parents re-enter their community Church. Through an innovative methods, where teen faith mentors have both helped prepare and educate developmentally delayed youth about God, they have included them in Sunday Liturgies as well.

Lawrence Sutton

Lawrence R. Sutton, Ph.D. is a Deacon in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Director of Pre-Theology Formation at St. Vincent College and Seminary. He also works as a Psychologist at the Wesley Spectrum Services in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and was the former Manager of the Western Region Office of the Bureau of Autism Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980 and has been licensed as a psychologist since 1983.

3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
DFW AB

The art of accompaniment is inherently personal We know that children, youth, and adults learn best through multiple intelligences, interactive methods, and forms of engagement. How can we move beyond cookie cutter pedagogies to engage learners in ways that will have a lasting impact on their lives? Join us for a fun, lively, creative exploration of how we can teach about scripture, saints, and more using a more personalized and effective approach.

Phyllis Vos Wezeman

As a religious educator, Phyllis Wezeman has served as Director of Christian Nurture at a downtown congregation in South Bend, Indiana, Executive Director of the Parish Resource Center of Michiana, and Program Coordinator for ecumenical as well as interfaith organizations in Indiana and Michigan.

In academics, Phyllis has been Adjunct Faculty in the Education Department at Indiana University South Bend and in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is an “Honorary Professor” of the Saint Petersburg (Russia) State University of Pedagogical Art where she has taught methods courses for extended periods on several occasions. She has also been guest lecturer at the Shanghai Teachers College in China.

As founder of the not-for-profit Malawi Matters, Inc., she develops and directs HIV & AIDS Education programs with thousands of volunteers in nearly 200 villages in Malawi, Africa including “Creative Methods of HIV & AIDS Education,” “Culture & HIV-AIDS,” and “Equipping Women/Empowering Girls.” Author or co-author of over 1,950 articles and books, she has written for over 80 publishers.

Phyllis served as President of Active Learning Associates, Inc., a consultant or board member to numerous local and national organizations such as the American Bible Society, Church World Service, and the Peace Child Foundation; leader of a six-week youth exchange program to Russia and the Ukraine; and Project Director for four Lilley Worship Renewal grants. She is the recipient of three “Distinguished Alumni Awards” and recipient of the Aggiornamento Award from the Catholic Library Association. Wezeman holds undergraduate degrees in Business, Communications, and General Studies from various institutions and an MS in Education from Indiana University South Bend.

Phyllis and her husband Ken (who met when they were in second and third grade in elementary school) have three children and their spouses, Stephanie (Jeff), David, and Paul (Deha), five grandchildren, Quin, Ayle, Lief, Ashley, and Jacob, and a great-grandson, Maddox.

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
DFW AB

Reflexionar sobre el camino de Emaús y el acompañamiento.
– Como acompañamos Como Jesús.
– La inspiración en La vida profética y de martirio de mi Tío Oscar Arnulfo Romero.
– La inspiración del proceso del Ministerio Hispano en los Estados Unidos.

Sr. Maria Romero

Mi nombre Hermana María Romero,

Soy de El Salvador, Centro América, de la Congregación Religiosa de Hermanas Josefinas. He tenido la oportunidad de realizar ministerios en diferentes países como el Salvador, Costa Rica y Nicaragua en centros educativos como maestra, consejera educativa y directora.
Fui enviada por mi Congregación a Estados Unidos por solo un año y todavía continuo aquí después de muchos años. Desde mi llegada a este país me integré a la Diócesis de Joliet participando la presentación de los Documentos: Presencia Hispana, Voces Proféticas y El Tercer Encuentro en el cual al escuchar las siguientes palabras del Credo: “Tenemos fe en nuestro pueblo porque sabemos que Dios lo ha resucitado, viviendo de manera especial y para siempre entre nosotros. Creemos que las aguas del Rio Grande y del Mar Caribe son medios de unión, que al traernos aquí nos permiten ser instrumentos de Dios para fertilizar y enriquecer esta tierra que nos ha recibido” estas palabras fueron mi inspiración y fortaleza para asumir el llamado de Dios a través de mi Congregación y la Iglesia de Estados Unidos a ser instrumento para acompañar al pueblo hispano de manera especial dedicándome al proceso y trabajo IV Encuentro Nacional del Ministerio Hispano y el Encuentro Nacional de los Jóvenes Hispanos.
Durante todos estos años he estado colaborando en diferentes parroquias y diferentes Diócesis como Directora de la Educación y Ministerio Hispano.

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Grand ABCDE

Ain’t never been loved before: A story of Accompaning transformation. Walking with and loving the prostitutes, the homeless, the winos, the forgotten and ourselves.

CAPSTONE: Edwina Gateley

Born in Lancaster, England, Edwina Gateley’s educational experiences have awarded her a Teacher’s Degree from her home country, a Masters in Theology from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago and certificati on as an HIV Counselor in the State of Illinois. From 1981 to1982 Edwina lived for nine months in prayer and solitude in a hermitage in Illinois.In 1983 she spent over a year on the streets of Chicago walking with the homeless and women involved in prostitution. In 1983 Edwina founded Genesis House – a house of hospitality and nurturing for women involved in prostitution. Numerous groups and individuals, including the Mayor of Chicago, the late Joseph Bernardin and Bill Clinton former President of the United States, have publicly commended Edwina’s work and ministry. Edwina has also been featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes” and “48 Hours.” She also continues to work with women in recovery through her small Foundation, Sophia’s Circle. Edwina founded the Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) in Eng land to recruit, prepare and send lay missionaries to work in the developing world.

Faith † Prayer † Ministry † Story
www.edwinagateley.com