Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacred Scripture

The past one hundred years has seen a remarkable shift in Christian self-discovery. Ours is the age of a New Pentecost. From the streets of LA to the Second Vatican Council, to the Reno Synod the spirit of God has been and is a raging sea and a gentle whisper. The Gospel of John will be our guide

Father Tom Bonacci, established the Institute for the Study of the Passion in 2011, which probes the issues of religion and violence. Father Tom ministers at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center of Citrus Heights, CA.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

What’s a man to do?  There are several conflicting voices in the Church and so many traps and illusions in the world today.  How does one know and follow God’s will?  Grounded in solid masculine psychology and spirituality this workshop will explore the process of discernment for men.

Father Jim Clarke, has experience which includes 10 years of parish ministry followed by 10 years coordinating the Adult Religious Education and Evangelization program for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and subsequently one year co-directing the Archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Ministry. Fr. Clarke, a fluent Spanish speaker, is widely traveled; his work and further education have taken him to Israel, Mexico, Canada, Africa, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom and the Pacific Islands. He has been involved in men’s work since 1995. His CD/DVD series on “Spirituality for a Modern Individual” and “A Man’s Way to God” as well as his published books: Creating Rituals: A New Way of Healing for Everyday Life and Soulcentered: Spirituality for People on the Go serve to enhance his continuing public ministry.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

The days of simply trying and hoping another program works is over. Once you understand the shift in norms that affect the people we are trying to evangelize, we must develop a detailed plan to engage the world. Reestablishing trust and enjoying favor with all people (Acts 2: 47) requires a self-giving heart, mind and soul and requires the step by step planning of a skilled carpenter. Become immersed in a courageous workshop that will help you identify and design your fine tuned plan to engage the world with the gospel.

Richard Curran, is the founder and executive director of the Parish Success Group, a Catholic non-profit organization that provides professional skill and organizational development training and coaching to ministry leaders. The son of an Irish immigrant, he was born and raised on the south-side of Chicago. For more than 25 years he has served the Catholic Church within parishes, dioceses and, nationally on numerous boards, associations and as consulter to several Catholic publishers. Rich is known by his titles…father, husband, disciple, trainer and itinerant preacher. By occupation, he is a national Catholic speaker and ministry coach who addresses over 50,000 youth and adults each year.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

This workshop will provide hands on experiential practices to relieve stress, anxiety, restlessness and violence in our world and within ourselves. Learn some exercises that you can teach your students, family and catechists.

Sister Kathleen Bryant, is a Religious Sister of Charity. For twenty-one years, Sr. Kathleen served as a Talent Scout for God as a Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sr. Kathleen grew up as a California beach girl who entered the convent in 1967 and served as a missionary in Zambia for 5 years. Sr. Kathleen earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation and a Master Degree in Spirituality from the University of San Francisco. Sr. Kathleen presently serves on the RSC Regional Leadership Team for California. Among her passions are being contemplative in a digital world, teaching discernment and prayer, and working for the abolition of human trafficking and slavery. Sister has been a speaker at the Religious Education Congress of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for many years.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacrament & Liturgy

In liturgy, the faithful are called to “full, active, and conscious participation.” What are new ways we can help worshippers, young and old, do this? In this workshop, we will look at the concept of liturgical media art developed through a “communal co-creation” process. Participants will learn media art basics and explore how to develop, plan, and implement this metaphoric imagery into worship with the participation of the community. Come and be a part of this up and coming concept in Catholic liturgical worship.

Mel Kennedy, is an award nominated recording artist, liturgical trainer, and inspirational speaker. She holds an M.A. in Liturgical Ministry and a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Mel is an NPM Certified Cantor Colleague. She is passionate about exploring avenues for how to engage worshipers in deep and compelling ways. In addition to her live appearances at concerts, conferences, retreats, and prayer services across the country, Mel has also released five contemporary Christian CDs. She resides in Northern Nevada with her husband of over 30 years, Steve, and their rescue Golden Retriever, Goldie.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Sacred Scripture

Fr. Tony will share insights into the Images of God that have come to us in Scripture as well as those we remember growing up. It is important that our Images of God be rooted in the Gospel messages of Jesus Christ so that we may truly come to experience a God of mercy, love and forgiveness. A correct Image of God is the only Image that will allow us to have spiritual lives that are HOLY, HAPPY and HEALTHY.

Father Tony Vercellone, was born in Oglesby, Illinois. In 1968, Fr. Tony entered the Benedictine Monastery of St. Bede Abbey. During the next five years, he completed studies for his B.A. in Philosophy and taught at St. Bede Academy, Peru, Illinois. In 1975 Fr. Tony entered St. Pius X Abbey in Pevely, Missouri during which time he completed studies for his M.R.S. degree. Fr. Tony was involved in retreat work at St. Pius X Abbey. In 1986 Fr. Tony came to the then Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas and since that time has served in Henderson, Reno and Las Vegas parishes as well as serving as Chancellor and Vocation Director. In 1989 Fr. Tony was incardinated into the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas. For the past nine years Fr. Tony has been serving as pastor at Our Lady of the Snows Church.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

It is easy to read the statistics and look at the exodus of so many and wonder if there is any way to engage people in living faith. The truth is, doing so calls us to examine our current practices and consider new models of faith formation. With this comes great potential to touch people’s hearts and lives with the love of Jesus Christ. Explore benefits and initial strategies in developing faith formation for everyone in the parish, including (especially) families

Leisa Anslinger, has a long history in parish ministry, which has helped form her as an effective adviser to others in pastoral ministry. Leisa is a know expert on lifelong catechesis and stewardship. These two dimensions of parish life intertwine in Leisa’s work, one informing the other. She provides workshops on using StrengthsFinder in the Catholic Community. And, related to that, also provides parish-changing workshops on parishioner engagement. Leisa’s newest project is Bridges, a leader development process toward building evangelizing communities of disciples and stewards, with Stephanie Moore. She is a founding team member of the Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Every ancient faith tradition strives to find, teach and reach underlying Truth. Come, listen and learn to our annual inter-religious panel of experts share about what that searching, teaching and achieving looks like within their varied traditions.

Our Interfaith Panel this year includes: Fr. Jim Jeffery (Retired rector of Trinity Episcopal), Rajan Zed (Hindu statesman), Brian Melendez (American Indian spirituality scholar), Rev. Shelley Fisher (Priest Associate Reno Buddhist Center), Abdul Barghouti (Acting Imam N. Nevada Muslim Community), Rabbi Evon Yakar (Temple Bat Yam, S. Lake Tahoe), and will be facilitated by Fr. Chuck Durante.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Prayer & Spirituality

Muchas veces nuestras buenas intenciones y nuestras palabras no pasan a la acción concreta. En este taller compartiremos sobre como Catholic Relief Services (CRS) a través de sus iniciativas nos permite vivir concretamente y poner en acción nuestra Fe!

Roberto Rojas, completo sus estudios licenciaturas en Filosofía y Teología en Mendoza (Argentina) entre el 1989 y 1996. Curso estudios de Consejería Pastoral en la Universidad de Fu-Jen Taiwán (R.O.C) en 2004 y 2005 y completo estudios de Ministerio Pastoral Internacional en la Universidad Loyola Marymount de Los Angeles (2006). Su extensa carrera internacional incluye 20 años de experiencia docente y pastoral a varios niveles de enseñanza: Escuela Primaria, Secundaria, Colegio/Universidad, y Seminarios Católicos en Argentina, Taiwán, China, Papua Nueva Guinea y los Estados Unidos. Rojas ha sido parte del equipo docente del Instituto para el Liderazgo Ministerial en la Diócesis de San Jose, ensenando Moral, Ética, Justicia Social e Historia de la Iglesia entre el 2006 y el 2010. También fue designado miembro de la Comisión diocesana de Derechos Humanos. En el 2013, Rojas fue contratado por Catholic Relief Services como Gerente de Relaciones para la oficina del Oeste de los Estados Unidos. Desde el 2014 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) lo ha nombrado Consultor Nacional para Ministerio Hispano en los Estados Unidos.

Session 5: 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Catechist re-certification credits: Methodology

Durante tres sesiones de trabajo y de manera procesual, profundizaremos la Exhortación Apostólica Amoris Laetitia, del Papa Francisco, en perspectiva de familia en su ser(vocación) y quehacer (servicio) en la comunidad parroquial. Presentaremos algunos lineamientos pastorales que podrían implementarse en el fortalecimiento o creación de una Pastoral Familiar Parroquial que responda a los desafíos de la sociedad actual implementando propuestas de trabajo pastoral desde la cultura del Encuentro y la Misericordia, bajo la guía de este Documento post-Sinodal de la Iglesia. Para más información, visite la página web: www.iglesiasdomesticas.com

Andrea & William Blanco-Cardona, son autores de programas de formación y liderazgo en Pastoral Familiar Hispana en los Estados Unidos. Han sido conferencistas en congresos y en el Encuentro Mundial de Familias, Philadelphia 2015. Actualizan los contenidos de la página web y blog: www.portuMatrimonio.org iniciativa de la Conferencia Episcopal de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos; recientemente elaboraron las Catequesis para las Familias bajo el tema de la Misericordia en coordinación con el Pontifico Consejo para la Nueva Evangelización. Actualmente trabajan con la Diócesis de Raleigh, NC. Para más información visite su página web: www.iglesiasdomesticas.com