Congress 2008 Speaker List
Session A
A-01 MASS AND THE HOLY BIBLE
In some Christian communities, Sunday worship includes personal testimonies, lengthy Biblical instruction, skits or dramatic presentations, PowerPoint presentations or slideshows, performance-style music. etc. Why do Catholics have the same basic format every Sunday? Where is “the Mass” in the Bible? We have so many prayers in the Mass – where exactly do these prayers come from in the Bible? How can we use the Mass to teach children, young adults, and RCIA candidates about the Bible? How can we use the Bible to teach them about the Mass? Some helpful handouts about the Mass, Biblical prayers of the Mass, and the Liturgical Year will be available.
Rev. Gregory J. Beaumont- is Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Kingsburg, with its mission churches in Traver and London. After completing a biology degree at UC Davis, and working in the field of agricultural research for two years, he studied for the priesthood at Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon and at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a Masters of Theology with a focus on Ecumenism (Christian Unity).He is currently the Ecumenical Director for the Diocese of Fresno, and has served as a priest for 12 years.
A-02 WORKING TO SHARE OUR FAITH
In this session ideas and techniques will be shared that have worked for us in engaging parents to become active participants in regards to our youth ministry program. Through prayer, fellowship, and service we will demonstrate how the domestic church is one of the key elements in creating a successful youth ministry program. Participants will engage in both small and large group activities so that they can experience first hand the program of engaging the entire family. Teaching boundaries as well as the enhancement of having parents participate is our ultimate goal. This workshop will be designed for people who want a hands-on experience and want to network ideas and successes in their own programs. It is through living our faith that we can truly grow!
Barbara and Ruben Cabatic- have been married for 20 years and have worked in a variety of ministries and organizations during that time. Presently, Ruben, a police officer, is the director of Youth Ministry, the Knights of Columbus Council #2268 Grand Knight, and a music ensemble coordinator while Barbara, self-employed, is coordinator for both Youth Ministry and the Religious Education Middle School Program. They promote vocations as members of the Kings/Tulare Serra Club, OLPH ministry, and are on the Diocesan Youth Committee. In their free time they enjoy friends and family. Both love working to share their faith and know that it is important to be good examples for their community by living their faith.
A-03 DID YOU EVER FALL FROM A HORSE? Closed
Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed June 28, 2008 - June 29, 2009, to be a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul - the great evangelizer. The Pauline year commemorates the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth. St. Paul, originally a Pharisee named Saul, went through a radical conversion on the road to Damascus. In this session, using my spiritual journey with Saint Paul as our guide, we will develop this theme involving our stories, including small-group process.
Sr. M. Tiziana Dal Masetto, P.D.D.M. is a missionary Sister Disciple of the Divine Master, living in the Liturgical Apostolate Center and Convent in northwest Fresno. Sr. Tiziana considers herself to be a citizen of the world, a lover of the Eucharist, and a contemplative on-the-go like St. Paul the Apostle. She is a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director both in the U.S.A. and abroad.
A-04 RCIA: WHAT DOES THE RITE SAY?
Take a fresh look at the document: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Walk through the phases and stages of RCIA with members of last year’s diocesan training group as we look again at what the text gives us for the process of welcoming new adult members into our Church. Bring a copy of the Rite, if you have one. Bring your questions and your experiences. Further formation will be offered by this team to those who are interested. Repeated in Session -4
Martha Danks-Ferguson - is a staff member at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Fresno, and has been involved in different ministries of RCIA since 1980.
Rosemary DeGracia - is a Master Catechist, is the RCIA director at Fresno’s St. Paul Newman Center. She is a graduate of the diocesan New Wine adult ministry formation program.
Arlene Kalchik - Arlene Kalchik has been involved in Fresno’s St. Paul Newman Center RCIA team for 5-6 years and is currently in the diocesan New Wine adult ministry formation program
John Kauffman - John Kauffman has been a catechist since 1972 and currently is the parish manager of St. Joseph Church, Bakersfield. He leads a Bible study and has been involved in RCIA since 1984.
A-05 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH SEMINARIANS OF THE DIOCESE OF FRESNO
This will be a panel of seminarians who are in the process of becoming deacons and priests. It is a great opportunity to ask questions on how to foster one’s own vocation or for religious educators to help others in their discernment process towards a religious or priestly life.
Rev. Salvador Gonzalez, Jr. Fr. Sal was born in Los Angeles, CA, in 1970. In 1980 the entire family uprooted and moved to Mexico where he completed his high school education. In 1988, he returned to the United States and in 1991 began his studies to the priesthood in the Diocese of Fresno at St. John Vianney house of formation. In 1996, he graduated with a .A. Degree in Theology and a minor in Psychology from St. John’s Seminary College, and in 2001 graduated with a M. Div. from Mt. Angel Seminary. Later that summer he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Fresno. He is currently serving the people of God in the Diocese of Fresno simultaneously as Director of Vocations and Pastor of Fresno’s St. Helen’s Church, having previously served as Parochial Vicar of St. John’s Cathedral, Administrator of Kingsburg’s Holy Family Church, and Pastor of Firebaugh’s St. Joseph’s Church.
A-06 The Permanent Deacon: His Formation AND Ministry
In 1965, Vatican II restored the Permanent Diaconate. Since then, the Church has tried to fulfill the mandates of the Council relative to the formation and ministry of the Permanent Deacon. This has been a changing process but now the U.S. Church has a new guidepost to give direction. The book “National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States,” published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has more clearly defined the role of deacons and their service to the community.
Rev. Mr. Edward Harmon III - was born in Kingsburg, CA, and was raised in Mariposa, CA. He graduated from Mariposa High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo. He has been a self-employed livestock rancher, Regional Sales Manager for Carnation Genetics Company in California and Colorado, Product Manager for Leite Gloria in Brazil, and a self-employed commercial beekeeper. He became a Catholic at age 19 and attended Permanent Diaconate formation in the Diocese of Oakland, CA. He was ordained March 4, 1995, to the Diaconate by Bishop John T. Steinbock and was assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Selma. He was appointed as Director of the Diaconate for the Diocese of Fresno in 1998. He currently serves in that position supervising the formation of 18 candidates and the ministry of 45 Permanent Deacons. He is married to Theresa Harmon and has a son and a daughter.
A-7 STORIES AND STORYTELLING HELP US TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE
Fr. Craig, author of “Angel Girl,” will share how stories can bring the Gospel alive. In this session, you will journey into how to share your own story and give people hope in an ever-confusing and chaotic world.
Rev. Craig F. Harrison, V.F. was ordained in 1987 and is currently the Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bakersfield. He authored a children’s book, “Angel Girl,” which has received numerous awards. Fr. Craig believes that stories — our own personal stories — are the gifts we have to share to bring the Gospel alive. He is a frequent lecturer on storytelling.
A-08 Googling God: Podcasts… Blogs… Facebook… what do they all have to do with young people and their faith?
"Everything!" says Mike Hayes of Googling GOD: The Religious Landscape of People in their 2Øs and 3Øs. Participants will not only learn why they must be using these new technological tools in their ministry but also learn how they can transcend them and how to build a blog, podcast and use Facebook to your advantage all in a one-hour workshop.
Mike Hayes co-founded BustedHalo.com with Fr. Brett Hoover, C.S.P., in December 2001. In addition to his work at BustedHalo, Mike serves as the President of the board of directors for the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association. A frequent speaker on ministering to young adults, Mike is the author of “Googling GOD: The Religious Landscape of People in their 2Øs and 3Øs” with Paulist Press. In 2004, Mike received a Catholic Press Association Award for his article “Transformation and the 20's and 30's Crowd” that appeared in Share the Word magazine. Before working in ministry, Mike produced radio talk shows at WFAN and WOR in New York and also covered major league baseball for NPR and WOR. Mike and his wife, Marion, are residents of Queens, New York.
A-09 RAISING FAITH-FILLED CHILDREN IN TODAY’S TECHNOLOGICAL CLIMATE
Given the rising popularity of the Internet as a means of communication in today's society, how do we help our children to make educated choices about media that will enhance, not detract from, their spiritual formation? Learn more about how we, as parents and educators, can supervise our children's use of new media outlets such as MySpace, Facebook, podcasts, and other social networking devices. Lisa will review these and other websites, podcasts, and social media outlets, sharing with you tools for supervising them and sharing how they might be used to enhance your family’s faith journey. A question and answer segment will address specific participants’ concerns and inquiries.
Lisa Hendey is the webmaster of www.CatholicMom.com and the host of the weekly Catholic Moments podcast. She has written on faith and family topics for several publications, including Our Sunday Visitor, the National Catholic Register, Catholic Exchange and Faith and Family Magazine. Lisa hosts the “Catholic Mom” television show which airs several times weekly on KNXT-TV, Channel 49 and highlights faith and family resources on the Internet. Visit Lisa at www.lisahendey.com for additional information. Lisa and her husband Greg and teenage sons Eric and Adam are active parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fresno.
A-10 The Future of the Church is Now! The Call to Lay Ecclesial Ministry
This workshop explores the graces and the challenges of responding to the call to lay ecclesial ministry in the Catholic Church! Participants will work together to articulate elements of their own theology of ministry in light of official catholic documents on lay ministry, Church history, their own spiritual journey, and the present “kairos” moment occurring in the Diocese of Fresno. Issues that will be addressed include: lay-clergy collaboration; raising a family in ministry; the Bishops’ call for spiritual and academic formation; what is a vocation?; the place of lay persons among Jesus and the first disciples; priests, deacons, and lay ministers – what’s the difference?
Robert Lassalle-Klein, Ph.D., M.S.W. is the Director of the Master’s in Pastoral Ministries and the Department of Religious Studies at Holy Names University, Oakland, and plays a leading role in the partnership with the Diocese of Fresno. He has appeared on KNXT-TV Channel 49 and is a well-known speaker and author, including recent talks and seminars in Miami, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, and at the Institut Catholique in Paris with Fr. Virgilio Elizondo, plus a forthcoming book on Jesus of Nazareth. Bob was very smart to marry his wife, Lynn, and both are active in ministry in addition to enjoying the challenge of raising two teenagers and a nine-year-old.
A-11 FAITH AND FINANCES
The objective of this presentation is to give an outline of “The 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free” Catholic Small-Group Study that is from Veritas Financial Ministries in collaboration with Our Sunday Visitor. With this overview, learn how to achieve balance between your faith and finances to: Deepen your relationship with the Lord; Strengthen your marriage and family life; break free from the bondage of consumer debt; make a realistic faith-based plan for the future. God has a plan for our life, including our finances, which is revealed to us through the Scriptures and the Catechism. God wants us to be faithful stewards of what He’s entrusted to us (see Luke 16:11). This presentation is for couples and single people who want to learn more about building their finances on solid principles. Get ready for this life-changing event.
Joel Maciel and his wife, Lupita, are the English Marriage preparation leaders for Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Dinuba, CA. They also are the central valley contact for Veritas, a Catholic Financial Ministry. Joel and Lupita are committed to keeping the Faith alive by speaking at Catholic events. By the grace of God, Joel rediscovered his Catholic roots after much research and reflection. Joel holds a .A. with a focus on family and children, from CSU Fresno. He has over 12 years experience in Catholic ministry, including youth ministry, past Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Fresno, and Matthew 25 — a detention ministry where for nearly half a decade he visited those in jail. As a speaker, Joel has the ability to make the sometimes-complex teachings of the Faith understandable with his straight talk, Christ-centered approach. His message may be simple but, when delivered with the passion and conviction that has become Joel's trademark, the audience is left with the indelible impression that our Catholic Faith is a treasure. In addition, he has proven himself as a presenter with both youth and adults. Joel speaks with a sense of urgency on Christ-centered Catholicism at Conferences and is a sought out lay speaker.
A-12 The Life Teen Mass at the Parish Level: the personal story of how the life teen mass has transformed the community of holy spirit, Fresno, ca Closed
Sue Peters has been the Life Teen Music Director for Fresno’s Holy Spirit Church for the past six years. She will share the personal story of how the Life Teen Mass ignited a fire in the faith of teens from 0-90 at her home parish of Holy Spirit. Never heard of Life Teen? No problem! Sue will give you a brief introduction to this 20-year-old movement of the Catholic Church. You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the Life Teen Mass and how God is using it to draw teens and their families into greater relationship with the Catholic Church, the Eucharist, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Our Blessed Mother, and the living Word of God. This workshop is for all priests, religious, educators, laity, and youth workers with a heart for God and His children'
Sue Peters is a music minister, singer/songwriter, and recording artist. She has spent the past six years serving the community of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fresno, CA, as the Music Director for their Life Teen youth program. Sue has been blessed to have had the opportunity to minister alongside many nationally known speakers and musicians. Sue was invited by Spiritandsong.com to perform with Matt Maher at the 2007 National Catholic Youth Conference in Columbus, OH. In July, 2008, she was a guest worship leader under the direction of Tom Booth at the 2008 Steubenville Youth Conference in San Diego, CA. In November, 2007, Sue released her debut album of eleven original songs, titled “Beautiful Brokenness”. The single “Beautiful Brokenness” from her new album, was selected to be included in a 10-song compilation CD release, 2008 Best of New Catholic Music. Sue has received six years of music ministry training from Life Teen International. As a convert to the Catholic faith and a mother of three young children, Sue became concerned over the number of kids that were going to Protestant youth groups. Sue shares ministry with her husband, Chris, and their three beautiful children.
A-13 School of Ministry: "Being Sent Forth by God" Closed
Through training, education, ideas, and different techniques, Sr. Donna will help to bring “Our Vision for the Future” to fruition. She will, however, also emphasize the great importance of prayer, listening to God, and allowing God to work freely within us, so that we continue to develop spiritually as adults and realize that ministry is serving with love and compassion, as God wishes us to serve. Repeated in Session -11
Sr. Donna Shanahan, C.S.J , is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She has been active for the last 19 years in retreat work and is a certified spiritual director. She served as a teacher for 18 years, as a staff member of the CSJ House of Prayer for 4 years, and for 9 years as a pastoral associate at St. Bridget of Sweden in Van Nuys, CA, and St. Agatha parish in South Central Los Angeles. Sister Donna is presently a freelance retreat and spiritual director and is also on the staff at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers working on a part-time basis.
A-14 Intergenerational Faith Learning: What is it? Does it work? Can it pass on the Tradition? Can it build a Catholic identity?
Through various stories, images and anecdotes, our speaker will share his experiences as a catechist in various settings with special focus on the past five years using various models of “Intergenerational Faith Formation.” This is a workshop that will explore the benefits and challenges of intergenerational catechesis. This is the perfect workshop if you have never heard of intergenerational faith formation or if you have been using some form of it for the past 10 years. The discussion will include the role of culture in the celebration of this model of catechetics.
Glenn Valois has his Masters of Divinity from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA. Glenn lived as Franciscan Friar for 6 years and is a Master Catechist. His wide and varied background, plus 13 years of catechetical experience, has allowed him a solid catechetical background. He is currently the Adult Faith Formation Coordinator for St. Mary Church in Walnut Creek, CA, but has been a catechist (preschool to high school), DRE, Director of RCIA, and has taught in Catholic schools.
A-15 A Lay Woman Running a Parish: Creativity or Craziness?
Canon 517.2 of the Code of Canon Law provides a diocesan bishop with the authority to appoint a non-ordained person to lead a parish when there are not enough ordained to fill that role. That’s the rationale, but how does this model play out in the parish? We’ll take a look at a parish that has had the Pastoral Coordinator model of leadership for five years. Do parishioners accept a woman – lay woman at that – as their leader? How easy is it for a priest, especially if he has been a pastor, to function in a totally different role?
Lynn Zupan is the Pastoral Coordinator / Parish Life Director in two recently merged parishes in Beaumont and Banning, California. She brings 15 years of parish experience and 10 years of diocesan experience to her position at one of the parishes without a resident priest-pastor in the Diocese of San Bernardino. Mother of four grown daughters, Lynn has a master’s degree in Religious Studies from Mt. St. Mary’s College.
Hmong
A-21 Ministry of the Church
This session will be presented in the Hmong language.
When we become a disciple of Christ, we are called to minister to his people. In this workshop, we will talk about how Christ came into this world and began his ministry and how we are called to do the same.
Chue Y. Her was the Chairman for the Hmong Catholic Community of Fresno from 1998 to 2003. He graduated from the diocesan “New Wine” program in 2002. Chue currently is a catechist in the R.C.I.A. program for the Hmong Catholic Community of Fresno’s Our Lady of Victory Parish.
Vietnamese
A-31 Ý nghĩa của thánh lễ trong đời sống của người tín hữu Công Giáo
Thánh lễ luôn đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong đời sống của người tín hữu. Hiểu được ý nghĩa, lịch sử và sự mong đợi của Giáo Hội trong từng phần của thánh lễ sẽ giúp người tín hữu gần gũi với Thiên Chúa một cách sâu xa hơn, tham dự thánh lễ một cách tích cực hơn. Học viên còn được học hỏi thêm về vai trò của thánh nhạc trong từng phần của thánh lễ.
Rev. Anthony Nguyen, C.Ss.R. Linh mục Antôn Nguyễn Đình Phúc là tu sĩ dòng Chúa Cứu Thế tỉnh Denver, CO. Thụ phong linh mục năm 1992. Đã từng sinh hoat tại các giáo xứ trong lãnh vực đào luyện các trợ tá Giáo Lý, các khóa Dự Bị Hôn Nhân, các lớp thánh nhạc và đào luyện ca trưởng. Tốt nghiệp cao học về Phụng Vụ, Âm nhạc, và Thần Học. Từng là thành viên trong Ban Đào Luyện Ơn Gọi và phụ trách Giảng Phòng của tỉnh dòng. Hiện đang phục vụ tại Giáo Xứ Đức Mẹ La vang, địa phận phận Orange, CA, đặc trách Phụng vụ, Giáo Lý và Thánh Nhạc.
Thai
A-41 The Laotians’ Contributions to the Parish (The Widow’s Mite – Mark 12: 38-44)
This session will be presented in the Thai language.
The aim of this workshop is to facilitate in the participants the discovery of their gifts and what they can contribute to their Parish life. The workshop will begin with a prayer and the reading of Mark 12:38-44 which is the basis of the presentation. The assembly will be divided into small groups where they will share about their gifts and how they can use these in the parish. The workshop will conclude with the idea that each individual has a gift and can offer something to sustain and create a good parish life. The poor widow in the gospel showed us that there is always something in each one of us that can be given to the community. So, the desire to do it and the love that we put into it are important.
Rev. John Bosco Prasit Kruesuwan, C.Ss.R. has been a priest for eight years as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). Born in Songkhla, Thailand, he has received a BA in Philosophy in Thailand, a MA in Theology in the Phillipines, and a MA in Spiritual Direction (with honors) from Fordham University in Bronx, New York. Previously serving in parishes in Thailand and Berkeley, CA, Father John Bosco is currently attending the spiritual needs of the Thai, Khmmu, and Lahu communities in Visalia and Fresno.