Diocese of Scranton
Convocation for Catechists 2008
Workshops

1)     How to Engage Post Confirmation Students
       Matt Breuninger and Megan Murphy

Wondering what to do with your confirmation students after the Sacrament? This workshop will offer you ideas and opportunities to keep your students excited and on fire for their Catholic faith. Come join us as we respond to the problem of how to keep young teens alive and engaged in their faith after Confirmation.

2)    “Ignorance of the Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ”                             
       Dr. Phil Yevics

St. Jerome’s quote illustrates well the integral role the Bible should play in all catechesis.  This workshop will demonstrate the importance of Scripture for Catechesis, and explore ways to nurture the use of the Bible in the catechist’s spiritual life and present specific strategies for incorporating the Bible into classes. 

3)    “Ministering within a Culturally Diverse Community”
       Alejandra Marroquin and Christine Pedroso

This workshop will help catechists be effective in a culturally-diverse setting. By making us aware of our students’ backgrounds, Alejandra and Christine will provide invaluable information and share ideas that can be used for effective evangelization and catechesis.

4)    A Reflection on Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth
      Dr. J. Brian Benestad

This workshop will review ways to incorporate the important themes presented in the Pope’s book on Jesus into your classes and into your own spiritual life. 

5)    Catholic Identity—“Who Do You Say I Am?”    
      Msgr. David Tressler

This workshop will focus on concrete ways to model for others, “Jesus, the Master Teacher”

6)    Kid-Friendly Activities     
      Martha S. Callahan

This workshop will provide catechists with ideas that can be utilized during their weekly lessons.  This presentation is designed for age levels, pre-school through fourth grade.

7)    Parents:  Problems or Partners?    
      Amy Hoegen and Lynn Kucharski

This workshop will examine our reactions and attitudes toward the parents of the children in our classes and will provide strategies for dealing with difficult situations.  Additionally, we will explore creative ideas for partnering with parents for the total religious education of their children.

8)     Understanding Autism                                                                                            Barbara Ann Myers

This workshop will offer practical ways of helping the autistic students in our religious education programs. Barbara shares her personal experiences dealing with an autistic child, as well as her professional insights working as a behavior specialist. 

9)    “So, you’re a Catechist…What you need to know for your first year and
       beyond.” 
       Helen Findlay 

This workshop will be an introduction for those beginning their ministry as catechists.

10)        Building a Successful High School Youth Group 
          Rev. Cyril Edwards

This workshop will offer plenty of practical ideas for projects that will work in any parish trying to start or enhance a high school youth group. 

11)        Preparation for the Reception of the Sacraments: Parish and School
          Cooperation                                                                                                                    Joseph Casciano and Janet Benestad

This workshop will review ways in which parishes may cooperate with one another and with the newly created Catholic school systems in preparing children to receive the sacraments of First Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation.  

12)        Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults                                                                            Monsignor Dale Rupert

This workshop will present important information and distinctions for catechists to consider when involved in the Church’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

13)       The Marian Dimension of Catechesis:  The Four Marian
          Dogmas                               
          Jim Gontis

This workshop will discuss the catechetical importance of the four Marian dogmas: Mary, the Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception, Mary’s Perpetual Virginity, and the Assumption.

14)      Catholic Vocabulary 
       Jim Gontis

This workshop will be a Question and Answer session regarding the vocabulary used in catechesis.

15)         Sacramentum Caritatis                                                                              
          Brendan Murphy

This workshop will focus on catechesis and evangelization through the Eucharist. This document by Pope Benedict XVI invites us to reflect on the Eucharist as the “source and summit” of the Church’s life and mission.   

16)  Praying with Icons      
        Rev. Thomas Major

“Images are not optional to teaching the faith, they are essential”
                                                     - St. John of Damascus

This workshop will focus on how Icons are an important aid in our Catholic faith as well as their meaning and origin.

17) VIRTUS Training  

VIRTUS training will be offered to anyone who has not yet received it. In addition to registering for the Convocation, you must register for VIRTUS training by calling Jennifer Andres at 570-207-2213 Ext. 1102.  Since VIRTUS training is a three hour session, you will not be able to participate in any other workshops.

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