Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Restricted to Lay Ministry participants. This workshop is ONLY available for current and former participants in our Diocesan Lay Ministry Formation and Leadership Program.

Father Dan Horan, is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province (NY), assistant professor of systematic theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the author of several books including the award-winning The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence on his Life, Thought, and Writing (2014). His latest book is titled, God Is Not Fair and other Reasons for Gratitude (2016). His next book, All God’s Creatures: A Theology of Creation is due out with Fortress Press in 2018. He is the author of more than 120 popular and scholarly articles; is a frequent lecturer and retreat director around the United States, Canada, and Europe; and has previously taught at Siena College, St. Bonaventure University, and in the School of Theology and Ministry of Boston College.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacred Scripture

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The Psalms are ancient prayers that arose from a great variety of human experiences, from desolation to jubilation, and moods in between. We pray these beautiful Psalms all throughout the year, through every season. In this talk, we will reflect on the Psalms, finding many ways for us to enter into these ancient songs that express the thoughts, prayers, and experiences of people throughout the ages, assisting us in deepening our own relationship with God and one another.

Dr. Elaine Park taught at Mount Angel seminary for over twenty years, serving as professor of Sacred Scripture and Academic Dean. Most recently, she has ministered as Pastoral Associate and Director of RCIA, as well as continuing to give talks, retreats, and writing both for LTP and Franciscan Media.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Doctrine

There is a perception among many that Catholicism (Christianity) must be opposed to science. Unfortunately, due to this perception, many young persons lose interest or leave the Catholic faith. However, Catholicism has had a long, though sometime tense, relationship with the sciences. Tensions seem to only arise when egos get involved and where there is misunderstanding. This talk will recount a little of that history and discuss certain attitudes with the goal of showing how religion and science are two human expressions of the search for truth and meaning.

Father Bob Chorey is a priest in the Diocese of Reno. He was ordained in 2002, and served as parochial vicar at the parishes of St. Albert the Great and St. Teresa of Avila, and as Pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine. He was appointed as Co-Director of Vocations in 2010, Moderator of the Curia in 2012 and Chancellor in 2013. Prior to his entering the seminary, Fr. Bob earned his BS (Geology) from Ashland College (Ohio) and a MS (Geology) from the University of Cincinnati. He worked in the mining industry from 1989-1996. The interplay of religion and science holds his fascination.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

You will have to do all three to be successful in ministry. Let’s get down to business and explore best practices designed to empower you as an agent of the new evangelization.

Doug Tooke is the Youth Minister at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish and the Executive Director of Monarch Catholic Ministries. With Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Philosophy and Theology and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry he has over twenty years of professional ministry experience. He has traveled to over 100 Dioceses in the past 15 years teaching, keynoting conventions, and training youth ministers. He has spoken at World Youth Day, NCYC, NCCYM, Los Angeles Religious Education Congress and continues to serve as a leader in the field. He is a recipient of the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed. From “I believe in God” to believing in this “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church” and looking forward to “the life of the world to come”, Roman Catholics believe a lot of stuff. Some of it is easy to understand and some of it can be confusing. This interactive workshop will deal with some of the major questions of Faith. It will also allow participants to ask questions about faith, hope and love. Come prepared to say to Father Tony, “Tell Me Why…..?”

Father Tony Ricard, is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Campus Minister at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He is the Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish and is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Fr. Tony is the author of 10 awesome books which include “Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know,” and “Diary of An Unapologetic Roman Catholic Priest”. Since the 2000 Season, Fr. Tony has served as the Catholic Chaplain of the NFL’s 2010 World Champions – the New Orleans Saints. He is a native of New Orleans and a proud graduate of St. Augustine High School. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a Master of Theology degree from Xavier University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Morality

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The recent national debate over forcing the Little Sisters of the Poor and others to include contraceptives and early abortifacients in their health coverage is only one example of a growing campaign against our ability to refuse involvement in practices raising moral and religious objections. Professional societies and governmental bodies now seek to require participation in abortion and other immoral activity as a condition for taking part in the health care system. The fallacies behind this campaign and some ways to respond will be explored.

Richard Doerflinger retired last year from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, where for 36 years he prepared policy statements and testimony on abortion, euthanasia and other medical-moral issues. He has published in many journals, and his syndicated column is distributed by the national Catholic News Service. He is an Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute and a Fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethics and Culture. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Chicago, and conducted doctoral studies in Theology there and at the Catholic University of America.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

The Church exists in order to bring the Good News to peoples’ lives. How effective are we at living this mission and how can we do this better? We will look at the most current data from research conducted by people within the Church and those who have left. We will connect the dots between all of this data and will discover a clear path forward in order to be the most effective ministers that God is calling us to be.

Robert Feduccia Jr. was the founding director of the Youth Liturgical Leadership Program at Saint Meinrad School of Theology and was also the general manager for Spirit & Song, the contemporary music division of OCP (Oregon Catholic Press). Robert combines his unique set of experiences as a parish youth minister, retreat leader, and keynote presenter with his graduate degree in theology, and is able to express spiritual depth in a way that is relevant to the real concerns people face today, especially those in ministry. Robert is now the vice-president for Christian Faith Events for Declan Weir Productions and lives in the Nashville area with his wife, Kathleen, and their four children.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacraments & Liturgy

Catechists and liturgists need to know how to teach the meaning of our liturgies and liturgical symbols. But we don’t just give information about liturgy; we open hearts to Christ. To do this we need to be stewards of these mysteries, seeing life through a deep religious imagination. Through prayer, song, ritual, and story, we’ll explore eight disciplines for expanding our symbolic vision so we can engage the disengaged at Sunday Mass, attract the uninterested to a deeper way of life, and rekindle our own appreciation for the Mysteries of God.

Diana Macalintal is the co-director of TeamRCIA, a free online resource for catechumenate ministry. She is an author and speaker on liturgy, prayer, the RCIA, and intercultural ministry. She holds a Master of the Arts in Theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and has served in campus, parish, and diocesan ministries for 30 years. Her latest publications include The Work of Your Hands, a collection of prayers; Living Liturgy, a liturgical year resource; and Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of Community, all available at Liturgical Press.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Centering Prayer is a gentle, silent method of consenting to God’s presence and healing action within us. It is based upon our rich Christian contemplative heritage. Centering prayer offers us a way to be open to God. By taking time to “rest in God” each day, we open our awareness to the gift of God’s presence. Come and taste this mini-workshop where you will experience Centering Prayer in a group setting. “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Centering Prayer Team consists of four members: Deacon Dennis Schreiner, Patty Schreiner, Theresa Coen, and Maryann Ruhle. They are certified presenters of the Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop of Contemplative Outreach from Fr. Thomas Keating’s global spiritual network. They have been doing Centering Prayer workshops in the Diocese of Reno since 2008. They participate within the Centering Prayer community in Northern Nevada, with small groups in Reno, Carson City and Gardnerville. They gather to pray, study, and share faith stories once a week at the different parishes in the Reno Diocese and in ecumenical churches.

Session 4: 1:00 – 2:15 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

In other words: “Seeking and Finding God Hidden in Plain Sight.”. We will explore the many ways of praying that help us be receptive to the grace of the presence of the Living God. Workshop will include input, handouts and prayer experiences, including guided meditations.

Sister Lois Dideon has been a Religious of the Cenacle for 53 years and is currently ministering at the Cenacle Retreat House in Houston Texas. She has her Master’s in Theology and Pastoral Counseling, Certified CPE, Supervisor, Certified Gestalt Therapist, with training in Jungian psychology, whose primary ministry is in spiritual direction and giving retreats and workshops. While living in Chicago she was on the faculty at the Catholic Theological School, Jesuit School of Theology and the Institute of Spiritual Leadership (ISL). In Houston she was on the staff of Shalom Renewal Center for clergy and religious as spiritual director for 20 years in addition to working in retreats and spiritual direction. She has been involved in teaching spiritual direction since 1972. Sr. Lois has given a variety of spiritual programs around the US and in other countries.