(PCL) Director of Religious Education (Yr. 1 or Yr. 2)
8:30 am – 9:45 am

Cosmas & Damian: Pugliese Auditorium

Gloria (“Gigi”) Zapiain has worked in catechetics on the parish and diocesan levels for over 25 years. She has served as a parish DRE and catechetical consultant for the Archdiocese of Washington and as diocesan director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, and Bridgeport, Connecticut.  She holds an MA in religious studies and a pontifical catechetical diploma from the Notre Dame Institute.  She is currently director of the secretariat for Catechesis and Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, a board member for the Association for Catechumenal Ministry, and a board advisor for My Catholic Faith Delivered, an online catechetical platform.

(OT) Open Track (non-certification)
10:15 am – 11:30 am 

Cosmas & Damian: Pugliese Auditorium

Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at age 14 and has dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ. He currently serves as the director of Evangelization at St. Bonaventure’s Parish in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. In addition to his position at the parish, Dave is the young adult coordinator for the National Service Committee of the Charismatic Renewal. He resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Amber, and their four children, Sam, Max, Judah, and Josie.  Learn more at thesinnersguide.com.

(PCL) Director of Religious Education (Yr. 1 or Yr. 2)
8:30 am – 9:45 am

JCWC: International Lounge

Martha Drennan is the director of Faith Formation at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, a 4,000-family parish in Springfield, Virginia. She directs ongoing parish faith formation and sacramental preparation for over 500 students. This includes an RCIC process for over 60 students. Additionally, she forms a team of over 75 catechists for the parish. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1998 with a master of arts degree in theology and Christian ministry, specializing in catechetics. She is currently a candidate in a doctor of ministry program at The Catholic University of America.

(YM) Youth Ministry (Yr. 1 or Yr. 2)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

St. Joseph Center: Classroom A

Jim Beckman serves as the executive director of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1987, Jim has served in various roles of leadership for national, regional, and local ministry ever since. Jim also is the executive director of ImpactCenter, a nonprofit dedicated to leadership development in the Catholic Church and serves as an adjunct professor for the Augustine Institute, teaching on leadership and discipleship. He also serves as an ambassador for Franciscan University of Steubenville. He and his wife, Meg, live in Oklahoma City with their five children.

(YM) Youth Ministry (Yr. 1 or Yr. 2)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

St. Joseph Center: Classroom B

Gina Bauer is a dynamic presenter, with 25 years of experience serving the Church as a youth director, religious educator, and speaker. Gina is able to convey Catholic teachings in a compassionate, down-to-earth style that reaches the hearts of listeners, equipping them with practical tools to live holy lives in today’s culture. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her master’s in theological studies from the University of Dallas Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies. Gina currently works at St. Joseph in West St. Paul. She and her husband, Duane, have four children.

(OT) Open Track (non-certification)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

JCWC: Fireside Lounge

Nikki Westby, MALPC, is a licensed counselor in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her MA in counseling from Franciscan University in 1995. After working for two years in a parish, she opened her own private practice, which she operates out of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Phoenix. Her primary focus is on women’s issues and healing the whole person. Since 2000, she has been involved with Rachel’s Vineyard ministries. She also sits on the diocesan priest placement board. In addition, Nikki is a diet and lifestyle consultant for the Wellness Forum of Columbus, Ohio. She is wife to a Canadian doctor and mother to five daughters.

(OT) Open Track (non-certification)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

Fieldhouse: Aerobics Room, 2nd floor

Dr. Gerard O’Shea is professor of religious education at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney campus. Dr. O’Shea was a member of the writing team for the Australian religious education text To Know, Worship, and Love. His own parent resource, As I Have Loved You, helps parents train their children in a Catholic vision of sexuality. His new book, A Handbook of Religious Education, has recently been published by Angelico Press. Dr. O’Shea and his wife, Anne, served a five-year term as president couple for the National Association of Catholic Families (2003-2007). They have five children and seven grandchildren.

(OT) Open Track (non-certification)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

Fieldhouse: Performance Room, 2nd floor

Ken Ogorek is the archdiocesan catechetical director in Indianapolis and a consultant with the Evangelium Consulting Group (evangeliumconsulting.com).  After earning a master’s degree from the Pontifical Center for Catechetical Studies, Ken taught high school religion, then served as assistant diocesan catechetical director in Pittsburgh for 10 years before returning to his native Hoosier state in 2007. With his bride of 25-plus years and their children, Ken is a parishioner at St. Pius X in Indianapolis. His efforts were recently acknowledged by his peers when they elected him to a term as president of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

(OT) Open Track (non-certification)
10:15 am – 11:30 am

JCWC: International Lounge

Marcel LeJeune is the president and founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples, an organization that helps Catholic leaders become disciple-makers who make disciple-makers. Marcel holds a master of theological studies, with a specialization in pastoral work. He is an international Catholic speaker, evangelist, and award-winning author of three books and numerous articles. Marcel is a regular guest on EWTN Radio and Relevant Radio, and he has appeared multiple times on EWTN Television. Marcel and his wife, Kristy, have five children. You can find out more about Marcel at CatholicMissionaryDisciples.com.

(CM) Campus Ministry
8:30 am – 9:45 am

St. Joseph Center: Totino Room

André Regnier, is co-founder, along with his wife Angèle, of Catholic Christian Outreach, a university student movement. The author of Catholic Missionary Identity and Five Tenets to Renew the World, André has led missions to the Philippines, Poland, and Uganda and has helped establish an ongoing CCO presence in Uganda. In 2016, André and Angèle led a team of CCO staff to World Youth Day in Krakow where, working with the International Centre for Evangelization, they shared one million copies of The Ultimate Relationship booklet in 10 different languages. André hopes to have CCO work beyond campuses in Canada to build up Catholic leaders in the renewal of the world. In 2015, André and Angèle received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal for distinguished service to the Church, the highest medal awarded to the laity by the pope.