Session: C

Ministry Days
  • Home
  • Register
  • Workshops/Talleres
  • Friday - Staff Formation Day
  • Saturday Keynotes
  • Speakers
  • Schedule
  • Sponsors & Exhibitors
  • Contact
Workshops Home

​Session C  2:15PM - 3:05PM

C-01
Proclaiming the Word: Training Lectors from youth and beyond
Dr. Ricardo Soto

This workshop is designed to help those who train lectors in their parishes. The presentation will deal with practical methods of helping lectors read better. The workshop will be useful for anyone who reads at Mass, not just for heads of Lector Ministry. Dr. Soto would like some of the workshop attendees to please come prepared to read from the lectionary at the workshop. 

​About the Speaker: Ricardo Soto, D.M.A., received his doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California in 1993, graduating magnum cum laude and receiving the Department Award for Excellence. Ric has been at Orange Coast College since 2001 where he teaches theory and music history. From 2006 to 2015 he served as conductor for the OCC Orchestra. In 2014 Ric was voted Orange Coast College’s Faculty of the Year. From 2013 to 2019 Ric directed the music ministry for the Hispanic Community at the Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange.
​Ricardo Soto, D.M.A., recibió su doctorado en Dirección Coral de la Universidad del Sur de California en 1993, se graduó de Magnum Cum Laude y recibió el Premio del Departamento a la Excelencia. Ric ha estado en el Orange Coast College desde 2001, donde enseña teoría e historia de la música. De 2006 a 2015 fue director de orquesta de la OCC. En 2014, Ric fue elegida la Facultad del Año del Orange Coast College. De 2013 a 2019, Ric dirigió el ministerio de música para la comunidad hispana en la Catedral de Cristo en la Diócesis de Orange. El año pasado formó parte del comité que trabajó en la implementación del Nuevo Misal Romano Español, ofreciendo talleres por todo el Estados Unidos.

C-02
The Family Faith Assessment: Why we shouldn’t shy away from it and how it can open opportunities for Catechesis and Evangelization
Mike Aliscad

At the beginning of the year I give my families a Family Faith Assessment. I was scolded for doing so. “You’re putting these families down!” “You’re making them feel bad!” “We already know they don’t go to church, why do you have to publicize it!” If my purpose was to do any of those things then I should absolutely be scolded for it. But what if there was a different purpose? What if a Family Faith Assessment could lead to a way to bring an entire family back to the church? What if we convince parents that this is an opportunity for them to grow as well? How better prepared will our Confirmation Candidates be? How excited will First Communicants be when the receive the Eucharist. How much better will our lesson planning be for our students? What if it could change and program?
• Also offered on Saturday at 3:15pm as H-01. 

​About the Speaker: I have been in catechism and youth ministry for 20 years. While in high school as a Catechist in Japan; I began delivering God’s message to youth using a recipe of comedy, storytelling, and activity based methodology’s. I’ve engaged students in 2 countries, 3 states, and 4 diocese; teaching 5th grade to Confirmation. I’m going on my 6th year as the Youth  Minister at Holy Spirit in Fairfield.

C-03
Baffled by the Annulment Process? Let’s Talk!
Cheryl M. Tholcke, Moderator of the Tribunal Chancery
& Very Rev. Mark R. Richards, JCL, Judicial Vicar

Ministry and school leaders meet and know many people who may need clarification of their marital status in the Church. Join Cheryl and Father Mark as they provide an overview to the annulment process, including its connection to a Catholic’s participation in the sacramental life. Bring your questions and curiosity; we will also address some common myths about annulments. Time is provided to answer your questions!
• Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-03. 
​

​About the Speakers: Cheryl is the Moderator of the Tribunal Chancery for the Diocese of Sacramento.
Fr. Mark is the Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal Chancery for the Diocese of Sacramento.

C-04
5 Strategies For Building Holy Families of Faith
Sherry Hayes-Peirce

This session will explore contemporary, convenient and purposeful ways to help families fold faithful practices into their daily routines. From morning to night, Monday through Sunday and everything in between there are opportunities to practice and model the faith. Attendees will walk away from this session building a routine for the family to implement today.
• Also offered on Saturday at 2:15am as G-05. 
​
​About the Speaker: 
I serve as the Chief Inspirational Officer of the Church Social Tips, a ministry that helps Catholic parishes and organization practice digital evangelization. The tips, tools and techniques of creating a strategy for digital evangelization have been shared across the country in published articles, conference sessions including Ministry Days 2018 and podcast interviews.

C-05
St. Thomas Aquinas on the Four Pillars of the Catechism
Dr. John Joy

This workshop aims to deepen and enrich our understanding of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church by introducing the Catechetical Commentaries of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Apostles’ Creed, the 7 Sacraments, the 10 Commandments, and the Our Father. These are some of Aquinas’ most helpful and accessible writings.
• Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-06. 

​About the Speakers:
​ 
Dr. John Joy is the Marriage and Family Coordinator for the Diocese of Madison. He has published in the areas of dogmatic, sacramental, and liturgical theology.

C-06
Scouting is Youth Ministry
Jon Kantola

The Church endeavors to minister to young people in a variety of ways, among which are: Catholic education and religious formation, youth ministry, and boys’ and girls’ scouting programs. All of these are excellent opportunities for the Church to pass on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and youth through her life and rich tradition of faith, morals, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer and worship, and service. Over the years, the Catholic youth ministry community and scouting programs have enjoyed a shared mission and a collaborative relationship, one that continues to this day. Scouts explore their faith through religious awards and activities offered to scouts of all ages. These programs are a supplement to traditional religious education provided by the Church.
• Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-08. 

​About the Speaker: Jon currently serves as Chair of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, supporting religious education through recognition programs, providing Catholic-centric activities for boys and girls in scouting, and advocating for the inclusion of scouting in parish youth ministry. Jon has been a leader in both scouting and parish life for over 25 years.​

C-07
Amazing Grace: Living the Serenity Prayer
Mel Kennedy

Many of us know and love the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Yet, we spend so much time anxious about things we cannot change especially other people’s actions. As a result, we don’t have the energy to make the most of the opportunities we do have. In this prayerful presentation, we will reflect on how we can open a door to God’s amazing grace by recognizing the difference between what we can and cannot change can help us live more peaceful and productive lives.
• Also offered on Friday at 9:30am as A-15. 

​About the Speaker: Dr. Mel Kennedy is a musicianary (musician & missionary) who is passionate about helping believers engage their faith in deep & compelling ways. She is an award-nominated recording artist, liturgical trainer, & inspirational speaker. Her ministry is about empowering the community to share their faith & radiate God’s love through litu​rgy. 

C-08
“Go, Make Disciples”: Catechetical Themes for the Lay Mission of the Church
Errol Kissinger

How can teachers and catechists better form young disciples of their fundamental call to transform the world by living the faith in all aspects of life, family, social, recreation and occupation. This workshop will examine such themes from the documents of Vatican II as well as other post-conciliar documents that recognize, among other things, the distinctive call of the laity to live out Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions in the Church’s mission. • Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-09.
​
​About the Speaker: Deacon Errol holds several advanced degrees in Theology and Pastoral Studies. He has been a permanent deacon since 2004 and is currently the Director of Religious Education at St. Dominic’s Parish in Benicia, CA.​

C-09
Healing from Loss, Separation and Divorce
Corinne Lalanne

In this 13 week healing process you will gain skills, tools and understanding on how to deal with your pain and regain hope for rebuilding the future while being part of a small support group. You will meet others who understand what you are feeling giving you an opportunity to discuss and move through this journey of transition and healing. • Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-10.

​​About the Speaker: A member of SS Peter & Paul Parish since 1993. Part of the RCIA Team, Children’s Liturgy, Eucharistic Minister before starting the Ministry of Consolation and finally bringing DivorceCare (recovery and healing) to the parish in 2009. As a Holistic Health Practitioner we address healing at the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual level of healing.​

C-10
The True, the Good, & the Beautiful: Catholic Identity Integration in the High School Humanities
Ryan Mayer

Pope Francis has said, “The mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and beautiful.” The humanities in Catholic schools should be places of seamless integration of Catholic identity with the curriculum, but how do we do it and what does it look like? We will discuss the opportunity that humanities classrooms offer for an encounter with God via the true, the good, and the beautiful and offer practical suggestions for integration and implementation. • Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-11.

​​About the Speaker: I am Director of Catholic Formation & Curricular Integration and theology teacher at Marin Catholic in Kentfield and have taught adult faith formation at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. I hold degrees in philosophy, theology, bioethics, educational leadership, and literature and a certification in health care ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center.​

C-11 Secrets of Managing a Classroom from Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker
This workshop is no longer available.

C-12
To Become a Disciple of Christ Demands an Integration of all the Dimensions of our Christian Life.
Rev. Francisco Velazquez

Becoming a Disciple of Christ means and demands embracing a whole new way of life. This way of life demands an integration of all the different dimensions of the faithful’s life; meaning by this, the personal, communitarian, missionary, ministerial and pastoral levels. The integration of these dimensions is what brings together and makes it possible to fulfill the call to be followers and witnessess of Jesus Christ, his gospel and the Kingdom of God. To identify ourselves with Christ and how he himself lives each one of these dimensions is what truly makes us his Disciples. • Also offered on Saturday at 9:30am as E-13

​About the Speaker: Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in San Francisco, CA. He entered with Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity to the seminary in 1981. Ordered as a priest in 1990. He completed postgraduate studies in STL in Systematic Theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome. He carried out extensive missionary work throughout the world for 20 years and has been working on different tasks in this Diocese as Pastor.

C-13
Becoming a Sheepdog: Leading with Vision
Darcy Wharton

We often recognize ourselves as sheep and some among us are called to be shepherds. But what is the role of the sheepdog? Are you called to be one? In this session, we will explore the demonstrated qualities of leaders who intentionally build collaboration and a sense of coresponsibility in their families, classrooms, or parishes. •

​About the Speaker: Darcy currently serves as the coordinator of adult faith formation for SS. Peter & Paul parish in Rocklin, California. She is a wife and the mother of three young adult women. She holds a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Loyola University New Orleans Institute for Ministry and is passionate about spiritual direction, retreat ministry, spirituality, writing, singing, and social justice.​

C-14
The Journey from Boyhood to Manhood
Will Hince

This workshop will explore the journey from boyhood to manhood and how we are called to guide and accompany them on this journey. Drawing on his experiences with Beyond the Wild, Will Hince will share how an encounter with Christ will lead boys to authentic manhood. • Also offered on Saturday at 9:30am as E-20.
​
About the Speaker: Ten years in full-time Catholic youth ministry including 5 years coordinating youth ministry for Portsmouth Diocese, UK and founding the Catholic charity “Beyond the Wild”.

C-15
Check In Before They Check Out
Rhyan Ramirez

This workshop will include a variety of practical and tactical tools to help students be aware of their feelings and communicate their needs so teachers can back to teaching and students can back to learning. Learn some simple practices that support accompaniment with our students along with the incorporating church teachings as a solid foundation and even solution for some of the daily challenges they face in and out of the classroom.

About the Speaker: Rhyan Ramirez has over two decades of experience in youth and young adult ministry. For the last 10 years he has been at his parish as a Youth Minister and Confirmation Catechist. He also does travel ministry as a Keynote Speaker, Youth Conference and Youth Rally MC, retreat Leader and workshop facilitator. He facilitates SEL (Social Emotional Learning) workshops with students TK-8th grade in public and private schools.

C-16
You Will Survive Your Death: A Traveler’s Guide to “the Life of the World to Come”.
Steve Patton

No matter how long we might live in this life, we will live infinitely longer in the next. So why do we devote so much of our lives to chasing the passing treasures of this world, and so little to the everlasting treasures of the next? Conforming our hearts and minds to the realities of death, judgment, Heaven and Hell should be the ultimate goal of everything we say, do and think as Christians… and as catechists. In this workshop we will explore the what’s, the why’s, and the how’s of optimally “getting all our affairs in order” as we prepare for the inevitable separation of our souls from our bodies and for our entry into the Eternal Life that God has prepared for us. • Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-17

About the Speaker: Steve is a former trial lawyer who holds an M.A. in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has worked full time in lay ministry for the Catholic Church since 1997, and in family and faith formation for the Diocese of Sacramento since 2009. He collaborates closely with Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services in a variety of talks, workshops and trainings on subjects including bereavement ministry, miscarriage ministry, end-of-life care and today’s topic – which is his favorite – on how to prepare well for death and the next life.​

C-17
Bridging Imagination and Religion 

Mr. Jason Ramos Solano, M.Ed. 
This session will help experiences that help us connect or enhance our understanding and relationship with Jesus.  We will uncover practical ways in which the Arts--drama, art, and music--can help children (and others) embrace and connect with their prayer, faith and religious imagination.  






C-18
Engaging Young People in God Talk!
Dr. Bob McCarty

According to our research, a factor leading to disaffiliation is the lack of opportunity to talk about faith issues! This session will provide participants with practical skills on how to use symbols, analogy, and metaphors in engaging young people in God talk. These skills are applicable to home, classes, youth ministry settings, and in our conversations. Further, this session will identify spiritual practices, faith skills, and rituals that enable young people to ‘talk’ about God and faith and to live out their discipleship. Let’s talk about young people and about God! • Also offered on Saturday at 2:15pm as G-12.

About the Speaker: Dr. Bob McCarty Sponsored by Saint Mary’s Press Dr. Bob McCarty has been in professional ministry since 1973, serving in parish, school, diocesan, and national settings. He offers consultations, retreats, workshops and training programs in ministry skills and issues internationally. Bob serves as the project coordinator for the Saint Mary’s Press research project, Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics. Bob has a BS in Sociology/Theology from St. Joseph’s University, an MA in Religious Education from LaSalle University and a D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Bob is adjunct faculty at The Catholic University of America and The University of Dallas.​
Workshops
Picture

Diocese of Sacramento

Office of Family & Faith Formation
2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818

Telephone

916-733-0135

Email

ministrydays@scd.org

Follow Us

Photo used under Creative Commons from fusion-of-horizons
  • Home
  • Register
  • Workshops/Talleres
  • Friday - Staff Formation Day
  • Saturday Keynotes
  • Speakers
  • Schedule
  • Sponsors & Exhibitors
  • Contact