Catholicism in the United States remains a major force shaping the lives of nearly eighty million people. Today, the U.S. Catholic experience is undergoing important transformations that call for a renewed commitment to evangelization with a joyful and missionary spirit. This is a time to affirm our communal accomplishments, embrace our diverse present, and forge together our shared future. This keynote presentation helps us to define the roadmap for Catholic evangelization in the twenty-first century.

This presentation will be based on the selected documents of the Church that have addressed the parents call to education as well as expounding upon what that means in a concrete way for the local parish, as in "how can the local parish support this call for parents to be primary educators" I will explore the need for adult catechesis to implement a "teach the teacher" program.

“And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry.” (Ephesians 4:11) This interactive workshop is designed to facilitate open and honest dialogue among pastors as the Convocation begins. A discussion of hopes & concerns, experiences of the journey so far and the witness of those who have experienced parish transformation, pastors will be equipped for their ministry during these days and equipped to help those on their teams equip others. Pastors will be provided with a simple tool to begin to put learnings into practice during the convocation, the fruits of which will be shared at a pastor breakfast session on Thursday.

La diversidad cultural es la nueva realidad de las parroquias en los Estados Unidos. Para vivir nuestra misión evangelizadora necesitamos reconocer la diversidad del Pueblo de Dios unido en su fe en Cristo. Este taller ofrecerá principios para articular una visión del ministerio en una parroquia compartida.

This presentation will introduce participants to the Young Women of Grace program, a study designed to help girls understand Church teaching about the dignity and vocation of women (their feminine genius) and how to apply these teachings to the #MeToo era in which they are growing up. Record numbers of girls, some as young as 10 years-old, are suffering low self-esteem and body image problems as a result of the hyper-sexualization of women that they encounter daily on social media. In the midst of this pressure, we believe that introducing young women to their unique genius, in a fun and engaging format, will help them discover how much they can do for this world by living an authentically feminine life. The study not only makes Church teaching more relevant, but makes it appear as a viable alternative to the objectification that the world has to offer.

This very practical presentation, based on my book by the same name, gets right to the point naming the 5 essential steps needed at every parish to live out the Joy of the Gospel and offers the “how to” implementation strategies back home: Having a clear vision and plan based on what the Church wants, not what parishioners want; Remembering that multiplying disciples was a command; Getting out from behind the desk; Holding people accountable; and admitting we have a spiritual crisis in the Church. This session has been credited to be extremely easy to understand and implement and offers very usable knowledge and examples.

Los últimos avances de la psicología nos indican la catequesis adaptiva es efectiva si se aplican adaptaciones académicas en contenido y estructura. Pero, estas adaptaciones son efectivas siempre y cuando los Padres son participes de esta. Pero como acompañamos a los padres, incluso a través de los desafíos de lo cotidiano? En esta sesión hablaremos de este acompañamiento, sus posibilidades y desafíos.

Cultivating Christ-like compassion in oneself results in a deepening of the spirit and softening of the heart, two essential aspects of missionary discipleship. This makes us better able to listen, serve, and love those to and with whom we minister. This session will invite lay ministers to consider the ways in which we serve in a compassionate manner and how we hope to intensify these efforts in the future.

In Baptism the person is sacramentally (visibly, explicitly, ritually) called and empowered to: Be incorporated into the life of the Trinity, participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, become a member of the Catholic Church, be an integral part of a Eucharistic community, and share in Christ’s on-going mission of proclaiming and advancing the kingdom of God. We will delve into each of these areas with specifics for how married couples respond to this call in unique and extraordinary ways (based on essay by William P. Roberts).

Engaging our LGBTQ brothers and sisters within today’s powerful religious and cultural crosscurrents can be disorienting. Dr. Hogan will briefly present then invite dialogue around the value of grounding our ministry in three foundations: shame reduction, conscience formation and effective use of professional resources.

Amid the scandal and confusion that seem to be plaguing the Church today, it can be difficult for the lay Catholic to know how to respond. As it turns out, many of these modern problems aren’t as entirely modern as they seem. St. John the Evangelist, through his penetrating insight into our Lord’s Heart, as well as his unique perspective on the treachery of Judas Iscariot, has provided the Church with a perennial guide to actually benefiting from scandal. Only by learning this secret of the Beloved Disciple can the faithful discover peace in chaotic times, fruitfully assist in the renewal of culture, and, most importantly, bring consolation to Christ who so thirsts for our unity in His saving hour.

Participants will reflect on the story of God working in their life, will learn the kerygma, and gain the confidence and soft skills to share the joy of the Gospel with others. They say that ‘actions speak louder than words’, but when people ask us ‘why are you Catholic? or ‘why do you go to Church?’ what should we say? Join us as we share practical tips for talking about our faith, reflect on our personal faith journey, and learn how our personal stories are each a part of the great story of Jesus.

"Personal Vocation" is a teaching of the Church that was outlined during the Second Vatican Council and highlighted as an important part of Saint John Paul II's pastoral vision and Pope Francis' emphasis on personal encounter and missionary discipleship. And yet, personal vocation remains on the periphery of Catholic life. In this workshop we will unpack the rich meaning of personal vocation--a unique and dynamic call given to each human being which integrates the universal vocation to holiness and state in life -- and the multi-faceted impact personal vocation formation can have for realizing the New Evangelization.

Participants are equipped with practical tools and strategies for maintaining the ability necessary to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel in their homes, parish communities, and beyond. Incorporates Scripture, church documents, and wisdom from the saints in an approachable, relatable way.

A Convocation is an invaluable resource for those who participate. It is filled with information, comradery and inspiration. In fact, the good ones are often so full that it’s hard to process everything. This workshop for parish social justice ministry leaders is designed to be a “mini-retreat” during the convocation for some of that “processing” while it’s still fresh. This session has two simple objectives: 1. To provide parish social ministry volunteers an opportunity to relax, reflect on and see God in the ministry you lead in your parish. 2. To crystalize the “spirituality of social ministry… its values and beliefs… in a way that can provide a good, clear, straight-forward articulation of why your parish is compelled to engage in social ministry, especially social justice ministry, to those who question it. Workshop participants will be invited to actively participate in it through discussion and sharing of ideas.

Digital communication and social media are imperative in today's Catholic ministry environment. Both connect individuals, ministries, organizations, parishes, and dioceses across every generation and around the world. It is important for ministry leaders to effectively utilize these tools to evangelize others. In this presentation, learn effective digital communication, virtual leadership, and Catholic evangelization as a way to meet people where they are and to accompany them into a deeper encounter with Christ and His Church.

The RCIA is more than just adult education, and its goal is bigger than just getting people baptized. It’s the church’s proven process for making lifelong disciples, not only of seekers but of the entire community. Learn the six basic principles that shape the vision of the catechumenate process and six best practices for implementing them in your parish.

“I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” Evangelii Gaudium 27 In 2017, Cardinal Tobin spoke at the National Convocation of Catholic Leaders on his personal interaction with Pope Francis and the reason he gave us the challenge of becoming Missionary Disciples. During this plenary, he will bring the Holy Father’s message directly to the Catholic leaders of South Jersey.

For the Feast of Epiphany which celebrates God’s manifestation to human kind, the Old Testament reading features Isaiah who proclaimed, amidst a context of oppression and deep anxiety, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (60:1). Today God continues to make His presence and glory known in our world as we individually and collectively collaborate to bring and be his light. The talk focuses on how parishes play our part to make God real, act as both messenger and message, constitute his body on earth and pass on the faith to the next generation.

“But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling…Women, you do know how to make truth sweet, tender and accessible; make it your task to bring the spirit of this council into institutions, schools, homes and daily life. Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.” – Closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Address of Pope Paul VI, To Women Women are called to bring the life of Christ to the world. The Blessed Virgin Mary best models for us how to permeate our culture with the living Word of God. She perfectly demonstrates “the feminine genius,” that of living out our physical and spiritual maternity in the world. The Church needs women to embrace this mission to bring lasting transformation in our day and time as Mary did in hers.

Learn the Catholic Church Teaching that’s foundational to "Social Sin" or "Structures of Sin" and how changing unjust social policies, practices and laws is an essential part of the parish's call to social justice ministry. The specific objectives for the session include: 1. To define “Social Sin” in the context of Catholic Social Teaching. 2. To learn the process of how reconciliation of “Social Sin” can be achieved. 3. To identify specific ways a parish can be actively involved in the reconciliation of “Social Sin” through its parish social ministry efforts. While information and handouts covering the topic will be provided, this workshop is designed to be interactive.

We all have a part to play in Building God's Kingdom of Love. This workshop is about the power of the achievement story - a narrative of activities one enjoys doing and believes he/she has done well - for unfolding the reality of personal vocation and the role we each share in God's overarching story of salvation. We will address ways to draw out a person's achievement story, the power of listening to another with empathy, and the impact such storytelling has on mentoring/ministry relationships.

No one goes to Jail/Prison alone. Who else gets incarcerated with the prisoner? (Come to the Prison Ministry Workshop for the answer.) What are the effects of incarceration? (THE CHAINS OF SIN – Hopelessness, Isolation, Shame, Anger, Abandonment,) Can Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Peace, Freedom, and Hope exist in this situation? (The answer is at the Prison Ministry Workshop. ) Do you think that there is only one form of Prison Ministry? (Be surprised at the Prison Ministry Workshop.) By the way, this is a workshop, so you are going to work. No sleeping allowed.

We can try to make Mass more meaningful by explaining it. But information about Mass isn’t the same as being formed by the Mass. Our job as leaders is not to explain the Mass but to open hearts to Christ who teaches us the meaning of the mysteries we celebrate. To do this we need to be stewards of these mysteries, seeing life through a deep religious imagination. Through prayer, song, ritual, and story, we’ll explore eight disciplines for developing our sacramental vision so we can engage the disengaged at Sunday Mass, attract the uninterested, and rekindle our own appreciation for the sacraments we celebrate.

Understand the generational realities for youth and young adults (Millennials and Gen Z) and learn some practical ways to encounter and more effectively empower the younger generation in our parishes to live as missionary disciples. What do young people want from the Church? How can our parish better engage and support young people in their journey of faith? Join us as we discuss these questions and how every parishioner can empower young people to live as missionary disciples!

Beauty is the spark that awakens the human person to the Divine. As St . John Paul II wrote in his Letter to the Artists, “Beauty saves...beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence .” Yet as a culture, and even as Catholics, we have all but forsaken beauty and denied its integral role in the development of the human person. From architecture to music, we seem to have lost a taste for the beautiful. We “love what is futile and seek what is false.” As a consequence, souls have been repelled from the Church en masse. If beauty is going to save us—then we have to save beauty...quickly . This workshop will be a hands-on crash course in the fine art of reintroducing a wayward culture to the “ever ancient, ever new,” God of beauty .

“Todos estamos invitados a “salir” como discípulos misioneros, cada uno ofreciendo generosamente de sus talentos, creatividad, sabiduría, y experiencia para llevar el mensaje tierno y compasivo de Dios a toda la familia humana.” - Papa Francisco Ofreceremos formas concretas y relevantes a líderes de pastoral para que puedan ayudar a otros a servir a la iglesia global como discípulos misioneros. Por medio de la oración, formas de aprendizaje, y acción, desarrollaremos oportunidades para servir y acompañar a los más necesitados, no solo a nivel local sino en todo el mundo.

Multiple global forces have combined to create a cultural hurricane that is pounding and often washing away ancient bridges of human connection. These forces are fundamentally changing the structures and landscape of family life. These new and more complex family systems now need radically different things from us in ministry. Dr. Hogan will propose effective strategies to reinvigorate ministry by creating new connections between youth, families and their parish.

Catechists might not consider their classrooms missionary territory but so it is. The role and responsibility of the catechist to share the Good News with others requires the same gifts of the Holy Spirit that nudged the early disciples out of the upper room and into the world as they began their mission of evangelization. Join us as we consider how to put two of these gifts – knowledge and wisdom – to good use in our catechetical efforts

Come and dig deeper into foundational principles of youth ministry that allow young people and their families to experience both a personal relationship with Jesus and the strength of the Church. We will be discussing the building blocks of Relationships, Proclamation, Worship and Service as found in "The Joy of the Gospel"

La Exhortación Apostólica “Amoris Laetitia: sobre el amor en la familia”, el Santo Padre nos urge a una conversion pastoral. El redescubrir el regalo que es la familia es para el mundo y nos da una nueva perspectiva sobre cómo acompañar en el camino de la fe a las familias, incluso aquellas en la periferia. En esta sesión dialogaremos sobre tres elementos esenciales propuestos por el Santo Padre (discernimiento, conciencia moral y acompañamiento) y sus implicaciones para la catequesis.

Every ministry seems to struggle attracting and retaining new volunteers. It is not from a lack of asking but usually the result of no specific strategy and plan to apprentice and turn over leadership to a new generation. Additionally, most ministries seek more “workers” or “members” but rarely speak of attracting more people so as to give them an encounter of the community of believers so their lives can be transformed. In this workshop, we will walk participants through 5 simple steps that have proven to work in multiplying the number of people who share their gifts with the parish and school and, in the process, transform their lives.

We all hear Scripture every time we go to Mass; but how many people actually "remain" in the Word, which Jesus said will make them "truly" his disciples (Jn 8:31)? And how can a parish foster a deeper relationship with Christ in Scripture among parishioners? This workshop will present ways to foster Bible engagement and explore how an ongoing Bible study program can be used to call, form, and send disciples and help them abide and flourish in Christ.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops developed a guide for pastoral planning called Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization. Catholic Apostolate Center assisted the USCCB in the development of this foundational document. Join this session to learn more about the theological and spiritual background of this document and ways to implement the method and principles contained in it.

“All of us are invited to "go out" as missionary disciples, each generously offering their talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.” -Pope Francis- We will offer relevant and concrete ways for pastoral leaders to help others to serve the global church as missionary disciples. Through prayer, learning and action, we will unlock our opportunities to serve and accompany those who are most in need, not only in our communities but as well around the world.

Parishes have a wide variety of offerings and ways to get involved and connected in the parish. We offer stewardship sign up weekends to recruit more people that yield varying results. However, do we stop to ask are we missional? Have we ever discussed how the bible studies, men’s groups, ushers and countless others exist to evangelize, not just those who attend, but those who don’t. Does your ministry go to the “periphery”? Do you even know what that looks like? This hands-on workshop will walk through new ways to transform your parish ministries into evangelization movements.

Young Adults (18-39) now make up the largest percentage of people in the United States but account for less than a quarter of Catholics in the US. Learn how to not only identify, encounter, and engage with Young Adults in your ministry, but how to mentor and accompany them into the leaders of the Church for today’s opportunities and challenges. Join Monica and her co-workers Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., Alexander Cranstoun, Hally Moreno, and Jonathan Sitko in discussing strategies and opportunities to engage and grow your young adult engagement in your ministry.

Engaging our LGBTQ brothers and sisters within today’s powerful religious and cultural crosscurrents can be disorienting. Dr. Hogan will briefly present then invite dialogue around the value of grounding our ministry in three foundations: shame reduction, conscience formation and effective use of professional resources.

“But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling…Women, you do know how to make truth sweet, tender and accessible; make it your task to bring the spirit of this council into institutions, schools, homes and daily life. Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.” – Closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Address of Pope Paul VI, To Women Women are called to bring the life of Christ to the world. The Blessed Virgin Mary best models for us how to permeate our culture with the living Word of God. She perfectly demonstrates “the feminine genius,” that of living out our physical and spiritual maternity in the world. The Church needs women to embrace this mission to bring lasting transformation in our day and time as Mary did in hers.

The workshop explores each of the three elements of the ongoing revolution in communications -- the Internet, mobile technology, and social networks -- as providing what St. John Paul II calls "a providential opportunity to reach people everywhere, overcoming barriers of time, of space and of language; presenting the content of faith in the most varied ways imaginable; and offering to all who search the possibility of entering into dialogue with the mystery of God, revealed fully in Christ Jesus."

Parish Social Justice Ministry is often viewed by parishioners as an extra ministry that’s not necessarily foundational to parish life. Many Parish Social Ministry Teams or Committees can learn to operate in a way that confirms that view. This workshop is designed to challenge that belief and, hopefully, provide concrete ways to change that practice. The specific objectives for the workshop are: 1. To review and discuss the foundational purpose of a parish and why integrating social justice ministry into its life is critical. 2. To collectively brainstorm ways to integrate social justice ministry into the life of the parish. 3. To provide participants an opportunity to assess the extent your parish social justice ministry is integrated into the life of your parish using a “parish self-assessment” tool. Workshop participants will be invited to actively participate in it through discussion and sharing of ideas.

"Charity is the most effective form of witness, because in it people see the love of God" @Pontifex (2 August 2018). Pope Francis states: “The kerygma has a clear social content: at the very heart of the Gospel is life in community and engagement with others. The content of the first proclamation has an immediate moral implication centred on charity” (EG 177). In Caritas Deus Est, Pope Benedict XVI called upon Catholic Charities agencies (Caritas) to “organize love” (DCE 20). In Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, he mentions “charity” 15 times, “justice” on 37 occurrences and the word “love” 154 times. The Holy Father calls each baptized person and the Church community to connect Worship, Word and Service in active and public ways as missionary disciples. Fortunately, the Church provides a means to live out charity, justice and love in an organized manner to care for those on the margin and for each other. Come to this workshop to hear from national speaker on how Catholic Charities lives out this call to organize love at the global, national and local levels.

"I chose you to go and bear fruit that will last," Jesus told his disciples. Using his analogy of the vine and the vine-grower and parable of the fig tree, Sarah Christmyer will provide principles for cultivating "good soil" in your parish and forming disciples as strong "branches" that abide in the vine of Christ and produce fruit for his kingdom. This practical workshop will discuss ways to prepare for long-term growth and will provide a guide to assist in the parish planning process.

The presentation is a moderated panel conversation with three pastor-principal teams from parishes and schools that currently benefit from a close relationship – where parish life is enhanced by the presence of school students, and schools benefit from a broad, supportive faith community. Panelists will talk about steps they have taken and continue to take to nurture their school-parish relationships, acknowledge challenges, share success stories and answer questions from workshop attendees. The moderated discussion will last not more than 60 minutes, with at least 30 minutes reserved for audience Q&A and discussion. Panelists are: • Fr. Thomas Barcelona, Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Joan Dollinger, Principal, Assumption Regional Catholic School, Galloway • Fr. David Grover, Pastor, St. Clare of Assisi Parish and Sister Jerilyn Einstein Principal, Guardian Angels Regional School, Gibbstown • Fr. Vincent Guest, Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Helen Persing, Principal, John Paul II Regional School, Stratford

Gethsemani Way Addictions Ministry is a parish-based, lay-led, nonprofit effort that works to reduce the stigma associated with addictions while raising awareness and providing a Catholic faith-based approach to recovery, healing and supporting those in need. This workshop will provide you with the reasons for starting a Gethsemani Way Addictions Ministry effort in your parish from assessing your situation to planning, marketing, promoting and timing your launch with a turn-key Tool Kit providing sample materials, templates, marketing/promotional planning, budgeting and timeline.

We all know that participation in the Eucharist is important. But it takes more than just showing up to genuinely participate. To put it bluntly, what good is it if the bread and wine change, but we don’t? Learn three steps to entering more deeply into the life-changing encounter with Christ who invites us at every Eucharist to participate more deeply in the life of the Trinity.

Each person is endowed with a unique and innate pattern of core motivations. These orient a person's natural strengths and personality and are the seeds of personal vocation. The impact of team members understanding their own and others' unique patterns of motivations can be profound: deeper self-awareness, deeper other awareness, deeper recognition of the dynamics of team effectiveness, and possible dysfunction.

Understand the importance of mentoring others in their ministry, whether they be peers or a younger generation and gain practical skills for how to walk with others in faith and share the joy of the Gospel. Most of us are Catholic today because of the example and friendship of a role model or mentor who walked with us in our journey of faith. You don’t have to have a theology degree to be a mentor! Learn how you can help your parish grow by investing in personal relationships and walking with others in your parish ministry.

Basado en resultados del V Encuentro de Ministerio Hispano, este taller ayudará a los participantes a entender las necesidades de la comunidad Latina de nuestra diócesis y a la vez proveerá estrategias pastorales prácticas de como servir mejor a los Católicos Latinos en nuestras parroquias. Toda la dinámica del taller estará enfocada en la invitación a tener un encuentro personal constante con Jesús, lo cual nos impulsa a ser discípulos misioneros, testigos del amor de Dios. Based on the results of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry, this workshop will help participants understand the needs of the Latino community in our diocese; and at the same time will provide practical pastoral strategies on how to better serve Latino Catholics in our parishes. The whole dynamic of the workshop will be focused on the invitation to have a constant personal encounter with Jesus, which empower us to be missionary disciples, witnesses of God's love.

In the age of mandatory service hours, Confirmation requirements, and the college application rat race, the concept of service has become pretty watered down – especially for our young people. For many, it’s something perfunctory (“go through the motions”) and routine (“been there, done that”), and the powerful potential of service as a teaching tool is lost. And yet, service is at the heart of the call of missionary discipleship. So, how can we re-brand service in such a way that we emphasize experiences of encounter and accompaniment? Join us as we explore the answer to this question together using Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel as our guide. Through multi-media prompts, this workshop will provide opportunities for reaction and reflection on how to use service as a conduit to educate about missionary discipleship within your own parish communities.

El Espíritu Santo es el que nos permite ser discípulos misioneros. Esto no es algo que uno elige, sino que se nos da en virtud de nuestro bautismo y confirmación. El propósito de esta presentación será apreciar más de cerca al Espíritu Santo, el gran misterio desconocido, y ver los muchos dones y carismas que nos son dados no para nuestro uso personal, sino para el uso de toda la comunidad. Al igual que la Iglesia primitiva de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, somos llamados a vivir en comunidad y a confiar el uno en el otro.

For our beloved Church to thrive in today’s complex, fast-changing, and often uncomfortable environments, we need to foster a new culture of leadership in our parishes. Chris Lowney will challenge our assumptions and stereotypes about leadership and invite each of us to embrace his or her leadership opportunity and responsibility. Though leadership is often presented as a “business topic,” Chris will explore how leadership is a deeply spiritual endeavor, and how embracing our leadership call is nothing other than living our baptismal promise in full. Chris will also talk about opening ourselves to more imaginative approaches to our ministries; and will challenge us to be able to know when we have succeeded. Finally, Chris will elaborate on two essential ingredients of any winning strategy: courage, and a habit of prayer.