Room: Library

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Relationships: The Heartbeat of Ministry

Handout: Communication

Just like a person’s heartbeat is essential for the person to live, community is essential in Youth Ministry. And all community is built from relationships! As a peer leader, there are things you can do to help form relationships that strengthen your Youth Ministry community. And who knows, it might just help in your other relationships, too!

Presenters: The Youth track will be presented by a team of adult leaders who have served the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as directors and small group leaders for Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) and other leadership programs for teens. The Youth Track team will be led by Katie Zeigler, Coordinator of Youth Ministry in the Office of Religious Education.

Room: 102

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

In this highly moving session, Deacon Michael Bellinder will present the true account of his Encounters with Evil and his responses to it. He believes and can attest that miracles do still exist and are performed today. His encounter has sent him on a mission to encourage people of all ages to lead lives of compassion, forgiveness and mercy. After all, this was one of Christ’s major themes throughout His life. Only God can turn tragedy into triumph.

Deacon Michael Bellinder graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy. He was ordained a Deacon for the Catholic church in December of 2006 for the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community in Redlands, CA, Diocese of San Bernardino. He has been on Immaculate Heart Radio, The Bishop’s Radio Hour, and many more. His story is the subject of chapter six of a book by Maureen Pratt, “Don’t Panic! How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough.”

Room: 305

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

A catechist is someone who can ignite a “spark” of faith in others, not so much by the content he or she teaches, but by the example and witness he or she is in the classroom. Catechists have a teacher manual for the content, but they’re always looking for more ideas and activities for an engaging and successful lesson. This session will help catechists respond to the call to teach and be a witness in the classroom. John will provide a wealth of practical and creative ideas, strategies, and management tips for the faith formation classroom. You will leave with a feeling of, “I really CAN do this!” You CAN have a successful class!

John Collins is a retired elementary school principal, former Director of Curriculum and Professional Development and elementary school teacher. He is also a former DRE and catechist. John has worked with Sadlier in the northeast for many years, and is now a full-time National Religion Consultant with Sadlier. He is a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. John has experience both as a professional educator and a catechetical leader.

Room: 209

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Handout: Mother Teresa

Handout 2 sided: MotherTeresa of Calcutta

Saint Mother Teresa, who will be canonized on September 4, 2016, is perhaps the most renowned saint of the last century. Her selfless example of love for the poor reflects for us the great merciful acts of Christ in the ordinary, the routine of everyday life and of the human experience. In this workshop we will remember her life by sharing stories and pictures of my personal interactions with Mother Teresa over five years of working in Kolkata. These stories include the day she received the Nobel Peace Prize in November of 1979 and when she told me, “sometimes it pays to be Mother Teresa.” Her example continues to inspire and challenge us to a life of service and compassion for the least among us. Let’s celebrate her together!

Jim DeHarpporte is the Regional Director for Catholic Relief Services in the Western United States, based in San Diego. He began his international career as a teacher in a Catholic mission in Malaysia. For nearly 30 years he served with CRS in Africa and Asia, including 5 years in Kolkata where he frequently interacted with Mother Teresa. Jim lives in San Diego with his wife, Scholastica, a native of Malaysia. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Room: 501

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

An exploration of the development of the Church’s understanding of Jesus of Nazareth in himself, in relation to God and in relation to us.

Dr. Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu is a professor of Theology at Loyola Marymount University and widely read author and commentator.

Room: 508

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Each time parents share a story or create a family tradition, they cultivate the fertile soil of faith formation. As domestic church, the family carries out the six tasks of catechesis in informal and yet potent ways. By naming and recognizing these tasks, catechists affirm what families already do and offer ways to support and encourage growth of faith both within the home and beyond it. In this workshop we will look at each of the six tasks of catechesis as experienced in the home and identify ways in which catechists can provide support and resources to parents. The process is interactive, allowing participants to apply the presentation to their own lives and ministry.

Kathy Hendricks is a national religion consultant for William H. Sadlier and a contributing writer for their programs. She also authors the weekly blog, We Believe and Share. Kathy has extensive experience in catechetical and pastoral ministry and offers talks and retreats across the country and overseas on topics of catechesis, spirituality, and family.

Room: 104

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Your DRE, Confirmation Coordinator, or RCIA director asks you to prepare a lesson on [fill in the blank] and you want to plan a great session, but you wish you knew the best methods. Come to this workshop and learn all about Groom’s Shared Christian Praxis, the best way to plan lessons–easy and effective!

Dawn Kopitcke-Ponnet is the Director of Faith Formation at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. She serves on the Directors’ Team for the Christian Leadership Institute for the Archdiocese. Dawn has her Masters in Religious Studies from Mount Saint Mary’s University, her certificate in Spiritual Direction, and working on her Master Catechists Formation.

Room: 107

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Scripture and Catholic teaching tell us that “The Lord hears the cry of the poor” (Psalm 34). For more than 40 years, thousands of parishes across the U.S. have heard and responded to the cry of the poor through Catholic Relief Services’ CRS Rice Bowl campaign. Join us as we reflect on how catechists of all age levels can help our parishes think outside of the box of mandated service hours and service projects and how we can create communities that strive to build the Kingdom of God with their hunger and thirst for justice. Come and hear the stories of the people who are being served by CRS’ life saving work and walk away with practical ideas for inspiring those in your parish to hear and answer the cry of the poor through your ministry of catechesis.

Sergio Lopez is a former youth minister and worship leader from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. From early on in his ministry he made it his mission to inspire parish Catholics to serve Christ in the poor and powerless. Since 2014, Sergio has worked for Catholic Relief Services which is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Sergio has travelled overseas with CRS to El Salvador and Guatemala. He holds an MA in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles and is pursuing a MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Room: 506

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Handout: What Every Serious Christian Should Know About Judaism

Did you know that Judaism is much more than the religion of the Hebrew Bible? Did you know that Jews have sacred literature beyond the Hebrew Bible (that we have our own “New Testament”)? Did you know that Jews mean something completely different than Christians when we speak of the Messiah, sin, redemption, salvation, repentance and forgiveness? Come and question, learn and explore with Rabbi Michael Lotker, author of “A Christian’s Guide to Judaism” published by the Paulist Press.

Rabbi Michael Lotker is a Phi Beta Kappa/Magna Cum Laude physicist. He spent the bulk of his first career in the alternative energy business, working in wind power, solar and geothermal energy. In 2003, he was ordained as a rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, where he also received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree. He is presently Rabbi for the Jewish Community of Ojai, California and the Community Rabbi for the Jewish Federation of Ventura County.

Room: 604

Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:45 pm

Join us for an interactive learning experience that will leave you with ways to incorporate movement into your Eucharistic celebrations, prayer services and concerts. Wear comfortable clothes and be ready to move!

Monica Luther and Nicole Masero have been dancing, choreographing and educating in this ministry for more than a decade. Both have extensive experience coordinating movement for a variety of parishes throughout Southern California. Monica and Nicole had the honor of dancing at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress as featured dancers in various liturgies, prayer services and concerts.