Concurrent Sessions "A"

All Concurrent Sessions "A" begin at 10:30 a.m.

2-A. Teaching Teens Religion This presentation offers guidance, inspiration, practical resources and more than a few laughs for the high school teacher, parent or any adult who may be bewildered, unsure and too often disheartened at the prospect of teaching teens religion. Danny Brock Danny Brock has taught high school Religion for over 20 years and has directed countless youth retreats in Canada and the United States. He has a Master's in Pastoral Ministry and is currently director of Religious Education at St. Andrew's Regional Catholic High School in Victoria, British Columbia. His recent book, Teaching Teens Religion, How to Make it a Favorite Class, is published by Novalis.

5-A. The Prayer of St. Francis and Radical Freedom We learn gradually to let go, to free ourselves from our attachments, to throw away our crutches, to ignore our need for success, and to liberate ourselves from worries about our reputation. Fears, worries, obsessions, and compulsive behavior begin to fade into the background as we learn to laugh at our egos. The truth will make us free. Bishop Frederick Henry Bishop Frederick Henry has been Bishop of the Calgary Diocese since 1998. He was ordained to priesthood on May 25, 1968. Bishop Henry has a Masters of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and a Licentiate in Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Bishop Henry was Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy and Group Spiritual Director at St. Peter's Seminary and was named rector of the seminary in 1981. In 1995, he was installed as the fourth bishop of Thunder Bay, ON. He is presently a member of the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the representative of the Alberta Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association.

6-A. Between-times Morality: Adolescence as Liminal Space Adolescents occupy the liminal space between childhood and adulthood - with feet on the threshold of each. What might this transitional time mean for morality, authenticity, and faith among teens? As adults we are called to witness to and model a life of faith for young people. In doing so, we must attend to their realities and needs in such a way that we demonstrate life in the Gospel and life in the world. What do teens experience today? What do they need? This session explores the ambivalence of living in the liminal space of adolescence and how best we might "Stand in the Light" as a beacon to teens. Dr. Doris Kieser Doris M. Kieser, PhD is Assistant Professor of Theology at St. Joseph's College at the University of Alberta. She has been teaching ethics and theology for over 15 years, most frequently in the areas of bioethics and sexuality. She is also a psychological counsellor who maintains a small practice in Edmonton, working primarily with adolescent girls and women. Her research includes elements of both theology and psychology, particularly the unique features of adolescent development, moral decision-making, and human flourishing. All of her work is imbued with a commitment to authenticity and the love of God flooding our hearts.

8-A. Mining the Minefield: Embracing the Liturgy's Gifts for the Baptized Finding and embracing the treasures which the liturgy offers to the baptized is an important means for moving the discussion of liturgical celebrations beyond the deep divides or mundaneness we sometimes experience. This presentation will bring to the fore some of the liturgy's countercultural gifts meant for all people: equality of persons, the universal gathering of all creation, unity in diversity, selflessness, dignity and the multiple real presences of Christ. Dr. Christine Mader Dr. Christine Mader has served the Catholic Church in Canada for almost forty years in volunteer and professional ministry. She has held posts in numerous parishes and in four diocesan offices in Canada, most recently, the position of Director of Liturgy and Adult Formation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary. Christine has coupled this lengthy pastoral service with extensive formal studies in theology, music, education and facilitation, completing her doctorate in systematic theology with a thesis on the Laity in the Documents of the Second Vatican Council. With her husband, Antal Prokecz, Christine is now co-founder, co-owner and co-director of STEP – The Science of Theology Engineered Professionally, a Canadian theological consulting company.

9-A. God, Campfire and Star Wars What do Star Wars, Superman, Hercules, and the stories of the Bible have in common? Why are they so effective and meaningful? How can these stories be used by today's teachers, parents, and Catechists to deepen the faith of our society? Fr. Mike will deal with these and other questions in his discussion of the usefulness and effectiveness of what is commonly called "secular" and "popular" culture in evangelizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike Mireau Fr. Michael "Catfish" Mireau is a Diocesan Priest serving the Archdiocese of Edmonton since Ordination in 2002. He has served the communities of St. Theresa's, St. Michael's (Leduc) and currently St. Pius X and St. Angela Merici in Edmonton. He has also been involved with Camp Encounter for 17 years, currently as Chairman of the Board. Prior to entering the Seminary, Fr. Mike earned a Masters Degree in Mathematical Physics, studying the Big Bang, General Relativity, and Modern Cosmology. Many of his published works, including his weekly homilies, can be found on his website - fathercatfish.com. Fr. Mike is the proud owner of his dog Nemo, the cutest dog in the universe.

11-A. Journey to Jerusalem: An Invitation to Catholic Education This session explores the necessity of the promotion of culture as spiritual mentorship. Fr. Stefano Penna Fr. Stefano Penna is the Dean of Theology at Newman Theological College. As a ordained priest since 1986, he has served in both rural and urban parishes and worked as a chaplain to medical care facilities and college students. Early studies in Dogmatic Theology at Rome's Gregorian University led Fr. Penna to a very busy schedule as a lecturer and preacher across Western Canada with a particular focus on faith formation of Catholic educators. Through his doctoral studies at Yale University, Fr. Penna has pursued research in the Philosophy of Religion and Modern Philosophical Theology. Constantly awed by the Mystery of the Eucharist, Fr. Penna rejoices to taste the beauty of the Lord in art, music and literature - though he claims his deep delights are his nephews and nieces.

12-A. I'm Spiritual, but I'm Not Religious How often have you heard someone say this? Or perhaps you've said it yourself. What does the sentence mean? What is spirituality? What is religion? At what level do these converge? This workshop is an exploration of these terms, and an attempt to understand better the spiritual landscape of contempary Canada. (Presentation will be offered once in English and once in French.) Archbishop Gerard Pettipas Archbishop Gerard Pettipas was installed as Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan in 2007. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor, a Master of Divinty from the University of St. Michaels's College (Toronto School of Theology), and a Master of Arts in counseling and spirituality from St. Joseph's College, Connecticut. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. As a Redemptorist, Archbishop Pettipas's ministrial assignments have included: parish ministry, vocation promotion, director of novices, mission preaching team adn the Redemptorist Youth Mission Team. Currently is also the chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation of Catholic Entities Party to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

13-A. From Out of the Shadows: Reflections on Laity and the Mandate for Ministry Since Vatican II, we have become accustomed to hearing about the 'universal call to holiness' and the 'priesthood of all believers.' In a Church where laity were traditionally overshadowed by a focus on the hierarchy, the Council invited the baptized out of the shadows into the light of their baptism. Almost 50 years later, we are still uncovering the depths and implications of that invitation. In this presentation, we will explore what it means to ‘stand in the light' as laity in the Church. Sandy Prather Sandy Prather, B. Ed, M.Th., teaches and facilitates in the areas of faith and spirituality. She draws upon her theological training and faith perspective to 'break open the ordinary' so that we might know God 'amidst the pots and pans.' She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and a Master's of Theology degree from Newman Theological College. Sandy is the Director at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, Alberta, a position she has held for eighteen years. In addition, she has taught as an adjunct lecturer at Newman Theological College. Sandy is an Associate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a member of the National Committee on Adult Faith Education for the Canadian Catholic Bishops. Sandy and her husband Bob reside in Sherwood Park, Alberta and are blessed with four children and ten grandchildren

14-A. Embracing the Gospel; Engaging Our World This session will consider the call to the new evangelization and invite participants to identify opportunities to bring the light of the Gospel to bear upon issues of the day. What does the Church teach concerning the meaning and stages of evangelization? What is the core message we are summoned to announce to our world? As a people who are "washed, anointed and sent", how might we engage our society with the liberating truth of the Gospel? Archbishop Richard Smith Archbishop Richard Smith studied at St. Mary's University and at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987, he pursued further studies in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian Institute in Rome and earned a Licence in 1997 and a Doctorate in 1998. After some fruitful years of ministry in Halifax, he was appointed Bishop of Pembroke on April 27, 2002 and ordained to the episcopate on June 18, 2002. Pope Benedict XVI, on March 22, 2007, appointed him to the Metropolitan See of Edmonton. Archbishop Richard Smith was formally installed as eighth Archbishop of Edmonton on May 1, 2007, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.