8:45 am – 9:45 am
Grand ABCDE

The Grace of Encounter: Transformative Solidarity

“Whenever we do something together, something good, something beautiful, everyone changes. All of us change in some way and this does us good.” — Pope Francis

One of the dominant themes Pope Francis uses is “encounter,” urging Catholics to go out to the peripheries, especially to the poor and the marginalized, and encounter other persons. Illustrated by personal experiences of encounter from his international work in humanitarian aid with Catholic Relief Services, Sean will lead the community reflect on the transformative power of encounter as you prepare for your own encounter experiences later Monday afternoon.

Sean Callahan

Sean Callahan is president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. A 28-year veteran of CRS, Sean, had held a wide variety of leadership roles overseas and at agency headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. As regional director for South Asia from January 1998 to May 2004, Sean strengthened CRS’ programming and partnerships in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. He worked closely with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and the Missionaries of Charity, represented CRS at the Asian Bishops Synod in 1998, and led the regional response to floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones and man-made emergencies. Prior to his assignment to South Asia, he served as director of Human Resources at CRS world headquarters in Baltimore. Before that, he served as director of the CRS Nicaragua program, and worked in West, Central and Southern Africa and in Costa Rica. Sean and his wife Piyali have two children. Sean is a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, Maryland.

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

(offsite, shuttle service provided)

La Posada aims to restore families who are experiencing homelessness to stable and permanent living situations by providing interim housing.  Assist the organization at their location by sorting boutique clothes, toys, and other goods that will be distributed to the families served by La Posada.

http://www.casacentral.org/our-programs/la-posada/

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

INQUIRERS OF THE GOSPEL

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Saint Paul Street Evangelization in the Streets of  Chicago

Join the national leadership and team members of SPSE for street ministry and discover how a 2 minute conversation with someone on the street can change their life (and your life) forever. We will provide the tools you need to encounter people on the street, invite them to Jesus, offer prayer, and help them connect with the local Church. You will also learn how you can bring this ministry and other proven tools and methods back to your own parish.

St. Paul Street Evangelization is a grassroots Catholic evangelization organization, dedicated to responding to the mandate of Jesus to preach the Gospel to all nations by taking our Catholic Faith to the streets. We do this in a non-confrontational way, allowing the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of those who witness our public Catholic presence. With over 300 teams throughout the United States and abroad, St. Paul Street Evangelization provides an avenue for you to share the Person of Jesus Christ and the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith with a hungry culture.

www.streetevangelization.com