Leadership Institute Program - Track II

Stewardship of the Environment

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Today we face great environmental challenges as a nation and a global community. The Church seeks to make a distinct and authentically Catholic contribution to the discussion of environmental questions, including climate change, by lifting up the moral dimensions of these issues and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. This unique contribution is rooted in Catholic teaching and moral principles that call us to care for God's creation and to protect the poor and vulnerable who are often most affected by environmental harm.
 
COMING SOON: Webinar | Feedback * © 2011 Most Rev. William S. Skylstad. Used with permission

Presenter

Most Rev. William S. Skylstad

Bishop Emeritus of Spokane,
Washington, USA

Bishop Skylstad was born in Omak, Washington on March 2, 1934 to Stephen Martin Skylstad and Reneldes Elizabeth Danzl Skylstad. His education included seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum, and studies at Washington State University and Gonzaga University.

He was ordained priest of the Diocese of Spokane in 1960. Between 1960 and 1977, he held numerous positions as assistant Pastor, Pastor, Teacher and Rector at Mater Cleri Seminary, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Spokane. He was ordained bishop of Yakima in 1977, where he served until named Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane in 1990. He served there until his retirement in 2010. He has served as a priest for 50 years and a bishop for 33 years.

Bishop Skylstad was elected Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2001. In 2004 he was elected President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Catechesis & the Fathers of the Church

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In "Catechesis and the Fathers of the Church," we'll explore the content and methods employed by the most effective teachers in early Christianity. In years before mass media -- and through centuries of intense persecution -- they evangelized the world with remarkable success, achieving a Church-growth rate of 40% per decade. They taught by means of ritual, art, preaching, letters; they taught sometimes openly and sometimes in code; they taught most effectively by the example of their lives and deaths.

Webinar* | Q & A* | Feedback  * © 2011 Michael Aquilina. Used with permission

Presenter

Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina is executive vice-president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He is author or editor of more than twenty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion. His titles include The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, Signs and Mysteries: Revealing Ancient Christian Symbols, and The Resilient Church. With Scott Hahn, he has been co-host of eight series that air on the Eternal Word Television Network. Mike is past editor of New Covenant magazine and The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He blogs on early Christianity at FathersOfTheChurch.com. Mike has been married to his wife, Terri, for twenty-five years; they have six children.

Personal Prayer in the Catholic Tradition

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This one-hour presentation will explore, first of all, the fundamental meaning of personal prayer as a “space” in which we turn to God first of all to receive what God wants passionately to offer us: the divine life and love. Deeper than any particular requests we may bring to God, authentic prayer yearns for deeper communion with God the Father through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Next, Lectio Divina will provide a rich framework within which to consider the different kinds of personal prayer. Finally, suggestions will be offered about how to grow as a person who lives according to the invitation to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17).

Webinar* | Q & A* | Feedback * © 2011 Rev. Brian McDermott. Used with permission

Presenter

Rev. Brian McDermott, S.J.

Fr. Brian McDermott, S.J. is a Catholic priest and a member of the Jesuits, the Society of Jesus. He is currently the Rector (religious superior) of the Jesuit Community of Loyola University Maryland, and Affiliate Associate Professor in the Departments of Theology and Pastoral Counseling. He received his doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, in 1973. From 1973 to 2000, he was a member of the faculty of Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA, one of the two national Jesuit theological centers sponsored by the Society of Jesus for the training of Jesuits, other religious and lay persons for ministry in the Church. While at WJST, he taught systematic theology, Ignatian spirituality, and authority and leadership. For eight years (1991-1999) he was academic dean at the school. Fr. McDermott is the author of two books, What Are They Saying About the Grace of Christ? (Paulist Press) and Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology (Liturgical Press) and numerous articles and book reviews. He has produced two audio CD series for Now You Know Media, Inc: “Who Is Jesus?: An Introduction to Christology” and “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.” A third series on the dynamics of God’s grace is in production. He has been a spiritual director, helping people with their prayer lives, for thirty-seven years. Since 1996 he has been the director of tertians for the Maryland and New York provinces of the Society of Jesus. In that capacity he has accompanied fellow Jesuits as they made, for the second time, the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, prior to being fully incorporated into the Society of Jesus.

Life in Christ: Renewal of Moral Theology

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The moral life is fundamentally the human person’s response moved by attraction to beatitude as revealed in Christ. This presentation considers the renewal of moral theology as called for by the Second Vatican Council. The believer is sustained through the grace of Jesus Christ to live the life of virtue in such a way that the Beatitudes are the lived expression of faith. Attention is given to the manner in which the Holy Spirit prepares the believer to undergo the struggle and temptation which confronts the Christian in his or her attempt to follow the summons of Christ.

Webinar* | Q & A* | Feedback * © 2011 Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield. Used with permission

Presenter

Monsignor. J. Brian Bransfield

He is the Associate General Secretary of the Office of the General Secretary of the USCCB. At the time of recording this session entitled "Life in Christ: Renewal of Moral Theology", he served as Assistant General Secretary of the Office of the General Secretary and Executive Director of the Secretary of Evangelization and Catechesis. He earned the doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. He is the author of The Human Person: According to John Paul II and Living the Beatitudes: A Journey to Life in Christ available from Pauline Books.

 

Living the Beauty of Faith: How to Use the Adult Catechism in Adult Faith Formation Programs

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This presentation will focus on a variety of practical and concrete ways to use the Adult Catechism in adult faith formation programs. By situating adult faith formation as a graced moment within the New Evangelization, the presenter will provide an overview of the history of the USCCA, its structure, and potential uses in faith formation.

Webinar* | Feedback   * © 2011 Jem Sullivan, PhD. Used with permission

Presenter

Jem Sullivan, PhD

Jem Sullivan, PhD a former staff in the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB. At the time of recording this session entitles "Living the Beauty of Faith: How to Use the Adult Catechism in Adult Faith Formation Programs, she served as Coordinator of Assessment for the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB. As a catechist and teacher, she has served high school, young adult, and adult faith formation programs, as well as a professor in graduate level seminary courses. She is the author of two books from Our Sunday Visitor, one of which is A Study Guide to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.