FRIDAY SESSIONS
SESSIONS 1 1:30-2:45 P.M.
FRI-101 IF YOU HAD SEEN WHAT I HAVE SEEN, YOU WOULD KNOW WE HAVE A GLORIOUS
GOD
Fr. Don Wolf
The Eucharist is the gateway into true intimacy with Christ. Following Christ into the fullness of life in the world is to go where he went, offering the gift of a world made new to everyone. True discipleship is drawing back the curtain to reveal the gift of true life.
FRI-102 LIVING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE
Chelsy Gomez
Pope St. John Paul II wrote that the Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ saving message to the world (Evangelium vitae 1). In taking on human flesh, dwelling among us, and sacrificing his very life for our redemption, Christ reveals the profound dignity of every human person. This Gospel truth is intrinsic to who we are as followers of Christ and foundational to the decisions we make on a daily basis. This session invites us to consider how God is calling each of us to live out the Gospel of life in our world today.
FRI-103 THE PARISH AS A WORKPLACE: MAINTAINING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Dr. Stella Jeffery
“Jesus is on line one,” read the post-it note on the vicar’s phone. On a day-to-day basis, ministry leaders and volunteers work with people, all kinds of people – this interaction is not without its challenges, and it takes work, as well as great trust in our Lord, to maintain healthy and flourishing relationships in the parish setting. This workshop will explore common challenges we face as parish catechetical leaders, ways by which to grow in virtue as the servant leaders we are called to be, and help us grow in our appreciation for those we work with in our ministry
FRI-104 TRANSFORMING LIVES AND PARISH COMMUNITIES GOSPEL OF LIFE
ACTS Retreats
Born out of a desire to offer a parish-based retreat that was Catholic and ecumenical, the ACTS Retreat was developed by lay members of two parishes in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.The first men and women retreats were offered in 1987 and today are offered in over 600 parishes in 6 countries around the world! Join us for an introduction to ACTS Retreats, the intent and purpose, and learn about the transformative power of people and parishes. Better attendance at Mass, greater number of volunteers and service, renewed marriages and families, and growing vocations. Come learn what it’s all about!
SESSIONS 2 3:00-4:15 P.M.
FRI-201 PARISH DISCERNMENT AND STRATEGIC THINKING
Fr. Elkin González
How did a group of fishermen or a man with an untempered zeal advance the mandate of Christ to spread the Good News to the nations? How did they allow God to use their own limitations to confuse the wrath of tyrants and plant a message of mercy, love, and forgiveness in a complicated world? The Church was, has been, and is assisted by the Holy Spirit and moved through the prudence and intentionality of well-minded humans. How can we recover the wisdom of the early Church and apply it to a world that is complex but still needing the message of Christ? How can we use our prudence to make the work of God visible?
FRI-202 NAVIGATING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND THE END OF LIFE FOR CATHOLICS
Dr. Natalie King
This talk will describe the state of the culture and healthcare related to serious illness and the end of life. It will review Catholic Church teachings and help apply them to real issues today. Through explaining palliative care and hospice, physician assisted suicide and euthanasia, and common ethical issues that can come up, this talk will work to correct many common misunderstandings and help empower you to be an advocate for the dignity of vulnerable people around this time of life.
FRI-203 MY PRO-LIFE EXPERIENCE, AND HOW WE CAN BOLDLY CLAIM OUR STANCE IN TODAY’S WORLD
In 1994 I was born to a my birth mom and birth dad, both were freshman in college and scared out of their minds. Neither of their parents knew they were pregnant, only a few of my birth mom’s friends. The easy option and the “logical” option being pushed on my birth Mom was to abort the baby and continue about her life as she just entered college. However, due to her courage, bravery, and faith, she stayed strong in the truth, and had a baby and put the baby up for adoption. My reason for being pro life started with a personal story, but it has grown every day, because we are called to glorify God. All we do which means standing for what’s true regardless of the World’s view on us. In my profession as a professional soccer player there are many moments where I am looked at by the media or teammates or fans, and it is an opportunity where I can claim my faith on the platform God has given me. I was blessed enough to do so in a big way this past season with a pair of MiraVia inspired custom cleats. Miravia is an organization on the campus of Belmont Abbey College which provides pregnant women with a house to live, and a way for them to finish school and give their baby a safe, healthy environment at the same time.
FRI-204 WHOLE HEART ED: MARRIAGE
Damon Clark Owens
The new Rite of Matrimony of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States begins with this newly phrased question before Consent: “Have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?” It is the first and most important question confirming the couples freedom to marry, but there are beautiful and radical demands wrapped within this word “wholeheartedly” that should be of interest to those of us longing to help couples recognize natural family planning as normative and essential to a lifelong, joy-filled marriage. This talk will explore the rich and radical demands of loving as husband and wife with our whole heart with a particular emphasis on promoting good stewardship of our sexual powers through fertility awareness.