Teaching the Teachers at St. John Bosco Conference

July 30, 2011 - 1:47 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

STEUBENVILLE, OH (July 30, 2011) - "You and those you catechize are the pearl of great price," said Father Richard Cash in the course of his Sunday homily, "and Jesus is the merchant who gives everything for you."

The 16th annual St. John Bosco Conference for Catechists and Religious Educators drew over 300 participants from across the United States and around the world, including Cameroon, Switzerland, and Ireland. Established by Franciscan University Catechetics Program foundress Barbara Morgan, the conference offered five certification tracks for directors of religious education (DREs), youth ministers, catechists, RCIA coordinators, and campus young adult ministers.

"It's a way to regenerate your batteries as a DRE. I always come back [to the parish] full of ideas," said Mary Margaret Baca, director of religious education for the Church of the Incarnation in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. "When you come to Bosco in July, you're pretty worn out from being in the trenches. So it's just nice to hear from other people that the work you're doing is really holy work."

And hear it the educators did, through workshops on liturgy and doctrine, on method and pedagogy, on prayer and social justice.

People shared their favorite resources, discussed particular challenges facing their ministry, and opened themselves to the Holy Spirit through confession and Mass with retired Steubenville Bishop Gilbert Sheldon and other priests. All came to sit at the feet of top-flight presenters in general sessions.

Father J. Brian Bransfield, 
executive director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis for the USCCB, presented on John Paul II's teaching on the human person and gave an overview of the threats to the human person today. "The culture of death always attacks first the voiceless. In Holland, 31 percent of pediatricians suppress the life of malformed infants without the consent of parents. In Switzerland, in February 2007, the supreme court declared that the mentally ill have a constitutional right to be eliminated. Forty-one percent of the world's population live in a world where abortion is legal. Abortion is Satan's temper tantrum at the Incarnation."

"Acquire pleasure quickly--it's the DNA code, it's the genome of the culture of death," explained Father Bransfield, author of The Human Person: According to John Paul II. "To be a successful person, I must acquire pleasure quickly. If you get in my way, I can hurt you. I can eliminate you. If I get in the way of my pleasure, I can eliminate myself." The genome of the culture of life, he said, is the opposite phrase: give beauty slowly.

Of the conference, Father Bransfield said, "We've escaped the secular relativism of the culture of death to bear the essence of the human person at the heart of catechesis. John Paul II said, 'Society has fallen in love with death.' His battle plan for a culture of life was this: the future of the human race passes through the family."

Professor James Pauley of the Franciscan University Office of Catechetics gave a keynote talk on the relationship between teaching Catholic doctrine and conveying an experience of the love of God.

"In the post-conciliar catechetical discussion, there has been a tension between the two, a tension resolved in various ways-some fruitful and others not so much so." He cited a recent article in a major Catholic publication, saying, "The accusation here is that a more explicit understanding of doctrinal content impedes, obstructs the capacity for intimate union with Christ."

Pauley countered that contention with insights into the kerygmatic renewal, especially those of Father Josef Jungmann, SJ, whose solution to the crisis in catechesis in the 20th century was an integral proclamation of doctrine in a context saturated with the proclamation of God's love.

"As the Catechism states in article 25, ' The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the love of our Lord must always be made accessible, so that anyone can see that all the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective than to arrive at love.' It cannot be more clearly stated."

On Friday night, participants from the Studium of Notre-Dame de Vie in Venasque, France, offered a demonstration of their catechetical method. Anne-Marie Le Bourhis, a school teacher and member of the International Catechetical Commission, presented a session from the episcopally approved "Come, Follow Me" catechetical series she coauthored with Father Benoit Caulle, who introduced the session.

"Baptismal grace makes the ones being catechized capable of God," said Father Caulle. "It's so important that grace lets them build themselves up in God. We always pray with the children for the Holy Spirit to come into the session, even if they do not know him yet. The Holy Spirit comes deep into the heart of each one."

Dr. Petroc Willey, deputy director of the Maryvale Institute at Blessed Cardinal Newman's former home in Birmingham, England, wrapped up the conference discussing "Alive Together with Christ."

Citing Catechism article 795, Willey said, "The phrase 'Christus totus,' the whole Christ, has been a big discovery for me. 'Christ and his Church together make up the whole Christ. The Church is one with Christ.'

Therefore, he explained, it became possible for the catechist to overcome the difficulty of teaching about an invisible person, Jesus, by pointing to his presence in the visible Church, and her saints. "Whenever you catechize, catechize about Christ and the whole Church," said Willey, coauthor of The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Craft of Catechesis. "It's the secret of catechizing about the invisible being."

Video highlights of the St. John Bosco Conference can be found under News and Events at www.franciscan.edu. For audio recordings of the main conference talks, go to www.franciscan.edu/bookstore and click on the "Conferences" tab. Many of the conference speakers contribute to The Sower, a journal of catechetics (www.thesowerreview.com).

For more information on Franciscan University's conferences for adults and youth, go to www.franciscanconferences.com.

Contact

Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://www.franciscan.edu
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,

Keywords

St. John Bosco, summer conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, catechetics, RCIA

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

Shop Holy Cards

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »