Room 112

Much contemporary research has found that many in the United States, enticed by pervasiveness of secularism, are leaving the Church because they feel it is irrelevant. At the same time, Popes Benedict and Francis agree that we are living in a “age of sin against the Creator.” How can we bring people back to the Church through our catechetics? This talk will focus on the importance of re-introducing God the Creator as one catechetical tool for the New Evangelization.

Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, is a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist who lives with the Franciscan community in Lowell, Michigan. She is the Dean of Science and Sustainability at Aquinas College, with degrees in theology as well as science.

Dimension: Evangelization

Also offered as C-17

Room 132

“How we read and interpret the Bible with children can make a difference in whether or not scripture continues to be an important source of their faith.” This quote, from Elizabeth Caldwell will form the basis of this workshop. Using her book, “I Wonder: Engaging a Child’s Curiosity about the Bible,” we will explore her ‘wondering’ approach to sharing the Bible with children, and discover how this approach can enhance our teaching.

Glenys Nellist is a native of England and serves as Coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She lives in Grand Rapids and is a wife, mother, grandma, Sunday school teacher and author of two popular children’s book series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time.

Dimension: Evangelization/Methodology

Also offered as C-24

Room 125

The ancient psalmist composed beautiful poetry/songs to be prayed in times of celebration, times of trial and times of need. The Psalms remain a source of both liturgical and personal prayer. You will have the opportunity to encounter, explore, and experience this ancient prayer form.

Kathleen Sullivan has enjoyed a lifelong career in Adult Education, She is currently, channeling her energies into working with adults in her parish, St. Robert of Newminster, Ada. Kathleen has a master’s degree in Religious Studies from Aquinas College.

Dimension: Spirituality

Room 136

Piety, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, is truly a blessing. Yet, how easily we can turn it into a weapon that cuts and separates, instead of a shield through which the Spirit strengthens us and enlivens us to make visible our unity and uniqueness in “raising of one’s mind and heart to God.”

Father René Constanza is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist Fathers) and the executive director of the Catholic Information Center. He assists with liturgies at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids.

Dimension: Spirituality

Room 105

“Go make disciples” starts in the family. Families who are returning to or coming into the Church need to be welcomed and healed as they journey toward the Lord. They also need a process to bring them into the community life, participation in liturgy and prayer, and apostolic witness and service. These four aspects of Christian formation help to equip families to live as disciples who know, love and serve the Lord. Participants will go away with ideas on how to engage families, methods to implementing an RCIA process adapted for children and youth, and tools for equipping families to live as disciples.

Ricardo Valdez is the Director of Faith Formation at St. Francis de Sales in Holland. He and his family moved to West Michigan in 2014 from Maryland where he served as the DFF for over 6 years. Ricardo is passionate about creating environments that encourage a personal relationship with Christ and support the growth and strengthening of intentional disciples.

Dimension: Spirituality/Evangelization

Also offered as C-20

Room 213

Take a look at the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in a new way. Some ways are obvious but what about the non-obvious things you can do? We will also take a look at the two Gospels of Two Debtors. How are they related? How do they differ? And most importantly, how do they relate to your life today? This interactive session will set the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy on fire in your life.

Nickie Wentworth-Holton is the High School Youth Minister and Media Coordinator at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford.

Dimension: Spirituality

Also offered as C-21

Room 134

More than 95 percent of offenders will be released. Are we ready? Will they return restored in Hope or full of hate? Human dignity is not something we earn, it is something we are born with. As missionary disciples, how can we bring light to the darkness and help restore the brokenness that cannot be seen? This workshop will explore these questions and challenge you to rethink how Restorative Justice affects you. We are called to live in solidarity with all, even the imprisoned. This workshop is an invitation to listen and invite into the journey all members of the Body.

Tricia Worrell is the Program Director for Prison and Jail Ministry for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Tricia holds a BA in Theology and Communications from Aquinas College and has served the Diocese of Grand Rapids in various capacities for nine years.

Dimension: Evangelization

Also offered as C-22

Room 307

In this session we will look carefully at the Catechist Guide. (Bring a copy of your Catechist Guide with you if you can.) We will look at the number of classes you will have and what chapters and content to cover; a process for creating a lesson plan based upon the six tasks of catechesis; short and immediate planning as well as what to bring with you to your weekly class. If time, we will seek to understand how children of different ages learn.

Clem Schwartz: Director of Family Faith Formation at St. Jude Parish, Grand Rapids for more than 10 years. Former DRE at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming for 16 years. My hope is to share with new catechists the many years of experience I have had in the field of catechesis.

Dimension: Methodology

Room 110

The Church will begin reading the Gospel of St. Mark in December. Each New Testament Gospel emphasizes the Jesus-story uniquely. This session will present what makes Mark’s version special in order to get the most out of the Gospel readings at Mass.

Dr. Stephen Davis is an Associate Professor of Theology at Aquinas College since 2004, specializing in biblical theology.

Dimension: Professional Theology

Also offered as B-29

Room 130

Research on the adolescent brain shows us that many of the behaviors that we see in our teens are linked to brain development and the sudden addition of hormones. Learn about what is happening in the brains of our kids and the negative effects of lack of sleep, technology and chemicals on the developing and delicate brain.

Suzi Furtwangler is the principal of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Grand Rapids.

Dimension: Evangelization