Category Archives: NCCL Tuesday PM Speakers

Dr. Matthew Halbach

1:30 – 3:00 pm | City Terrace 9

403: Building a Church of Mercy

Dr. Matthew W. Halbach earned his Ph.D. in Catechetics from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is the Director of the St Joseph Educational Center in the Diocese of Des Moines, IA. The Center supports parish adult faith formation programming and minister formation. Dr. Halbach regularly contributes to NCCL’s magazine, Catechetical Leader, and serves as a reviewer for the USCCB’s Subcommittee on the Catechism. His forthcoming book (Summer 2016), to be published by Twenty-Third Publications, will help parishes understand Pope Francis’ developing vision of a merciful church and apply this vision in concrete, effective ways.

Carrie Freyer

1:30 – 3:00 pm | River Terrace 2

408: Embracing All God’s Children: Faith Formation of Youth with Autism and Other Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Carrie Freyer is the Faith Formation Product Manager, for Loyola Press. She has worked at Loyola for nine years. Prior to joining Loyola, Carrie worked in ministry as a Catholic school teacher and catechist for over ten years and served on the Sacramental Preparation team in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Robert McCarty

1:30 – 3:00 pm | City Terrace 11

409: Year of Mercy: Teaching A Consistent Ethic of Life

Catholic Mobilizing Network is honored to welcome Dr Robert McCarty as our Chief Operating Officer. Bob recently transitioned from his service as the Executive Director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, where he started in 1997. Bob has been in professional youth ministry since 1973, serving in diocesan, parish, school, and community programs. He offers workshops and training programs in ministry skills and issues internationally. His recent books are Thriving in Youth Ministry and The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory and Practice through Saint Mary’s Press, Be A Champion for Youth: Standing With, By and For Young People, co-authored with his wife, Maggie, and his newest book, Raising Happy, Healthy and Holy Teenagers: A Primer for Parents through NFCYM.

Bob is also a volunteer in his parish youth ministry and catechetical program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, MD. Bob has a BS in Sociology/Theology from St. Joseph’s University, an MA in Religious Education from LaSalle University and a D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Bob is adjunct faculty at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN.

Dr. Joseph White

1:30 – 3:00 pm | City Terrace 7

410: Helping Kids and Teens Embrace the Fullness of Catholic Social Teaching

Dr. Joseph White is a clinical child psychologist and National Catechetical Consultant for Our Sunday Visitor. He has taught courses in Catechetics and Pastoral Guidance at the University of Dallas and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Dr. White has worked as a parish catechetical leader and spent seven years as Director of Family Counseling and Family life in the Diocese of Austin. He is the author of ten books and numerous articles on catechesis and ministry, and co-authored the Allelu and Alive in Christ catechetical series.

Sr. Kathleen Schipani

1:30 – 3:00 pm | River Terrace 2

408: Embracing All God’s Children: Faith Formation of Youth with Autism and Other Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Sister Kathleen Schipani, who is a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, has an M. ED. in Special Education from the College of New Jersey, a certificate in American Sign Language Studies from Gallaudet University and a B.A. in both Theology and English from Immaculata University.

She has 38 years of teaching experience with children and adults of all abilities.  For the past 28 years she has been a catechist for children and adults who are Deaf.

Presently, Sister Kathleen is the Director of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sister Kathleen is the chair of the board of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability.  She has recently co-authored a DVD Curriculum and Teacher Guide entitled Confirmation: Strengthened in Faith, a curriculum for individuals who are deaf.