Leadership Institute Programs - Track III

Track III - New Evangelization

An exciting new series of webinars focused on the "New Evangelization". The webinar topics and presenters were approved by the Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis and the Bishop Chair of the Bishops Committee on Catholic Education. Once posted, participants will be able to access the webinars online. Live Q&A sessions with a presenter panel will be held three times during the year.


Webinar Info and Links

NOTE: Certificate of Completion No Longer Available


Track III - Webinars

2012 Leadership Institute Question & Answer Sessions

September 11, 2012 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. [EDT]

LINKS:  Q&A Session

Featured panelists and webinars:

  • Very Rev. James A. Wehner, STD
    Overview of the Theological Foundations of the New Evangelization
  • Rev. Matthew Williams, M.Div. & Stephen Colella
    Go and Make Disciples: The Next Steps
  • Dr. Susan Timoney, STD
    An Evangelizing Laity
  • Rev.Eduardo C. Fernández, SJ, STL, STD
    Humbly Walking With God’s People
  • Facilitator: Michael E. Steier, DMin (USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis)

October 2, 1-2 p.m. [E.T.]


LINKS:  Q&A Session

Featured panelists and webinars:

  • Rev. Kenneth Boyack, CSP
    Engaging and Inviting Back Those Who Have Simply Slipped Away From Church Life and Sacraments
  • Rev. Allan Deck, SJ, STD
    Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers
  • Dr. Jem Sullivan, PhD
    Living the Beauty of Faith: How to Use the Adult Catechism in Adult Faith Formation Programs 
  • Leland Nagel (Facilitator)

November 6 1-2 p.m. [E.T.]


LINKS:  Q&A Session

Featured panelists and webinars:

  • Michael Theisen
    Reaching Adolescents with the Good News: A Relational Approach to Discipleship
  • Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP
    Identifying, engaging and welcoming Inactive Catholics
  • Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, D. Min
    Using Technology to reach out for Evangelization
  • Lee Nagel
    Taking Stock - Questions to Help Assess and Shape a Parish Faith Community for its Evangelizing Mission
  • Bishop John Michael Botean & Professor Richard Schneider
    Introduction to the Eastern Rite Churches Through Liturgy & Iconography
  • Lori Dahlhoff (Facilitator)

QUESTIONS: Contact Michael Steier via email at: @email

The Leadership Institute is jointly sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, and the National Catholic Educational Association.

Overview of the Theological Foundations of the New Evangelization


The concept "evangelization" is as ancient as the Church herself. However it is a concept not familiar to many Catholics, or it is associated with Protestant denominations. Considering the pluralistic challenges to theology and the syncretistic attitude that may be present even among those involved in ministry, evangelization is often reduced to a social call to action or a weakened pastoral activity seen as one among many. Father Wehner's presentation will identify the theological foundations of evangelization that provide the basis for Pope John Paul II's and Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic mandate -- the Church is called to embrace the "new evangelization" as the mission of the Church.

Webinar* | Feedback | Discussion Questions * © 2012 Very Reverend James A. Wehner, STD. Used with permission

wehner-james-frPresenter

Very Reverend James A. Wehner, S.T.D

Father Wehner is currently rector-president, Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. After completing seminary studies at the North American College, Father Wehner was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1995. He served as personal secretary to Bishop Donald Wuerl for two years then was assigned to graduate studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he earned the doctorate in sacred theology, summa cum laude, specializing in ecclesiology and writing on the new evangelization. He served as Rector of St. Paul Seminary, Pittsburgh, for six years, Director of Evangelization, Director of Clergy Formation, Director of the Permanent Diaconate, and Vocation Director. He was appointed Pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish in 2008. In 2009 the Holy See’s Congregation for Catholic Education appointed Father Wehner the 15th Rector/President of the Pontifical College Josephinum. Father Wehner held that post until the summer of 2012, when he was appointed rector-president of Notre Dame Seminary. Father Wehner recently published The Evangelization Equation by Emmaus Publishing.

 

Go And Make Disciples: The Next Steps


It has been thirty-six years since Pope Paul VI promulgated his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, and nineteen years since the National Conference of Catholic Bishops published Go and Make Disciples, and we have to ask ourselves, “what difference have these documents made for the Catholic Church in the United States?”  Business as usual is not working!  The Holy Father has once again called the Church to a New Evangelization, beckoning us to renewed “missionary dynamism” which will forge new pathways to bring our post-modern world into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church.  This workshop will equip us with a new lens by which we can understand, teach and live the New Evangelization in our various complimentary ministries.

Webinar*  | Feedback   * © 2012 Rev. Matthew M. Williams, B.S., M. Div. and Stephen Colella. Used with permission

williams-matthew-frPresenter

Rev. Matthew M. Williams, B.S., M. Div

Fr. Matt Williams is the Director of the Office for New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults (ONE). He was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for the Archdiocese of Boston in May of 2003.  In 2006 he was asked by Cardinal Seán O’Malley to chair a committee for the faith formation of youth and young adults. The findings of this committee became the groundwork for the creation of the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults. In January of 2008, Cardinal Seán commissioned the ONE office and appointed Fr. Matt as the first director.

Fr. Matt has been involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for more than ten years. He is a founding member of Lift Ministries (www.Liftedhigher.com), a monthly intergenerational gathering where participants encounter the Lord through the Eucharist, His Word, Praise and Worship, and the gathered community.  Fr. Matt is also a weekly Co-Host on the Archdiocese of Boston’s “The Good Catholic Life” radio show (www.TheGoodCatholicLife.com).

Fr. Matt has a great passion to preach the Gospel, especially to youth and young adults; helping them to relate the Gospel to their daily lives.

He was born and raised in Braintree, MA and attended Sacred Heart Parish, where his parents and sister continue to worship. Fr. Matt graduated from Xaverian Brothers H.S. in 1992, and Stonehill College (1997) where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on accounting. In 1997 he entered St. John’s Seminary and began his preparation for the priesthood.

AND

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Stephen Colella


He is Assistant Director of the Office for New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults for the Archdiocese of Boston. He has been married for 15 years to his wife Kari who also works at the Archdiocese as the Coordinator of Marriage Ministries. Together they present on a variety of topics for various audiences. In 2009 they were invited by the Pontifical Council for the Laity to present on marriage at the 10th International Youth Forum in Rome.

Stephen has worked for the Archdiocese of Boston for over 12 years, including two years as the Annual Catholic Appeal Manager in the Development Office. 

Stephen has a B.A. in Philosophy and Ethics from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has taken courses towards an M.B.A. from St. Joseph’s College. Stephen is also a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and, together with his wife, serves as the local Boston representative.


Identifying, engaging and welcoming Inactive Catholics


The presentation by Fr. Frank describes the broad cultural issues behind people who do not regularly practice their faith, and talks about three specific segments--young adults, young married people, and older alienated Catholics--giving ways to listen to their concerns, involve them, and build bridges between them and the church.  The presentation will help all nuance their ideas about "inactive Catholcis."

Webinar*  | Feedback | Discussion Questions© 2012 Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP. Used with permission

desiano-fr-frankPresenter

Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP


Father was ordained a Paulist Priest in 1972 and since has served in many parts of the United States, including as pastor in downtown New York and Chicago.  He earned a D. Min. from Boston University, completing his thesis on “Parish Based Evangelization,” in 1990.  He served as President of the Paulist Fathers, a consultor to the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization, and now is President of Paulist Evangelization Ministries, an apostolic arm of the Paulist Fathers. His is a noted speaker and preacher and has written many books and articles.  Among the most recent are “Why Not Consider Becoming a Catholic?” and “Mission America: Challenges and Opportunities for Catholics Today.”(NCCHM).

 

Reaching Adolescents with the Good News: A Relational Approach to Discipleship


How does the Church effectively connect, engage, and proclaim the Good News of our Catholic faith with teens today in a manner that moves them toward discipleship? This presentation will discuss some important principles and strategies to assist parish leaders in apprenticing young people into serving as agents of evangelization.
 
Webinar
* | Feedback | Discussion Questions * © 2012 Michael Theisen. Used with permission

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Michael Theisen


He has been engaged in adolescent catechesis and youth ministry for over 25 years, authoring more than fifteen books and numerous articles. His experience extends from volunteer roles and staff positions at the parish, diocesan and national levels. He is a frequent speaker and trainer throughout the U.S. Michael is the Director of Membership Services for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) in Washington DC and is extensively involved in both the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis, and the Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth national initiatives. Michael resides with his family in Rochester, NY.

 

An Evangelizing Laity


The New Evangelization presents both parishes and individual lay Catholics the opportunity to strengthen our identity as evangelizers and to recognize three distinct groups of people with whom we share the Good News. This presentation presents a parish-based vision for the New Evangelization and tools for implementation.

Webinar* | Feedback | Discussion Questions  * © 2012 Susan Timoney, STD. Used with permission

timoney-susanPresenter

Susan Timoney, STD


Susan is Assistant Secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington. She earned her doctorate in theology and at the Angelicum University in Rome where she specialized in Theology and Catholic Spirituality. Formerly she served as Vice President for Education Parish Service (EPS), a Scripture and Theology program for Adult Catholics based in Washington D.C.

Susan is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Theology at Catholic University and works with the Air Force Chaplain’s Office in leadership training for Catholic communities on military bases. She lectures widely on issues related to evangelization and parish life. Susan is married and lives with her husband in Washington D.C.

 

Humbly Walking With God's People


Expanding about the evangelizing leader's need to be self-aware, ingenious, loving, and heroic, so as to help spark the cultivation of these virtues in others, this presentation reflects on each of these attributes as they relate to the spiritual life of the minister, especially within intercultural settings. Various pastoral examples provide a way of sharing how concretely these virtues are lived in service to others, afford an opportunity to examine oneself in light of them, and model some pedagogical tools such as the use of images, Sacred Scripture, background texts, self-reflective points to consider, and even a quiz!

Webinar*  | Feedback  * © 2012 Eduardo C. Fernández, SJ. Used with permissions

fernandez-eduardo-frPresenter

Eduardo C. Fernández, SJ


He teaches pastoral theology and missiology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union.  A native of El Paso, Texas, he earned a Masters in Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.  He is past president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS).  His ministerial experience includes high school and university teaching, parish and campus ministry, and retreat work.  Along with his many articles, he has also authored La Cosecha: Harvesting Contemporary United States Hispanic Theology (1972-1998) (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000), now in Spanish translation, and also co-authored, with James Empereur, SJ,  La Vida Sacra: Contemporary Hispanic Sacramental Theology (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 2006).  His two latest books are Mexican American Catholics (Paulist Press, 2007), awarded a 2008 Catholic Press Association Book Award in the category of pastoral ministry, and Culture-Senstitive Ministry: Helpful Strategies for Pastoral Ministers (Paulist Press, 2010) with Kenneth McGuire, CSP and Anne Hansen.  In 2011 he was also awarded the ACHTUS Virgilio Elizondo Award for “for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy.”


Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers


The evangelization of today’s diverse and often deeply secular cultures is the challenge that the Synod on the New Evangelization will tackle in October 2012.  Everyone who teaches on behalf of the Church requires appropriate attitudes, knowledge and skills in intercultural  situations in order to competently engage today’s cultural pluralism and secularism.  Jesuit Father Allan Deck will lead us through a discussion of  the recent Guidelines for Intercultural Competence endorsed by the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity. He will unpack each guideline and place it in the context of parish, school and Catholic organization come.

 Webinar  | Feedback

Leadership Institute - Fr Allen DeckPresenter

Rev. Allan Deck, S.J., STD


Father Allan Figueroa Deck currently serves as Cassasa Chair of Catholic Social Values at Loyola Marymouth University in Los Angeles. He served as Executive Director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. A native of California, Father Deck has earned doctoral degrees in Theology and Latin American Studies. He has been on the faculties of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and Loyola Marymount University. Father Deck has also served as administrator of a barrio church and Diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Orange. He is the author or editor of five books and more than 40 articles on Hispanic ministry, faith and culture, spirituality and Catholic social teaching. He was a co-founder and first president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS) and served as first president of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM).

Engaging and Inviting Back Those Who Have Simply Slipped Away From Church Life and Sacraments


Over fifty-five percent of Catholics rarely or never attend Mass or attend a few times a year. The presentation will address some of the reasons for the dramatic decline in Mass attendance, and then offer various strategies and approaches that will assist parishes and dioceses to invite and welcome Catholics whose faith is currently not nourished by the Eucharist and the other sacraments.

WebinarFeedback * © 2012 Rev. Kenneth Boyack, CSP. Used with permissions.

boyack-fr-KennethPresenter

Rev. Kenneth Boyack, C.S.P


Father was ordained for the Paulist Fathers in 1979 and currently serves as the Vice President of Paulist Evangelization Ministries, www.PEMDC.org. He received an M.A. in Theology and a D.Min. from The Catholic University of America. The author or editor of seventeen books, including Awakening Faith: Reconnecting with Your Catholic Faith (co-authored with Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP), Fr. Boyack is the general coordinator for Living the Eucharist, a new Lenten spiritual renewal program for the whole parish.


Using Technology to reach out for Evangelization


The new digital culture offers the Church a vast panorama of opportunities to reach, connect and inspire people to come to know Jesus. This digital culture is already woven into the fabric of a new civilization that is transforming how people think and what they think about today. We have a golden opportunity to innovatively bring the beauty of faith into concert with searching hearts and minds of the 21st century. This session explores creative opportunities and possibilities for parish and diocesan ministry.

WEBINARFeedback

zukowski-angela-annPresenter

Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski MHSH, D.Min

Sister is a member of the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart (Towson, MD). Zukowski has been involved with distance education for over 40 years.  She began with Cable TV in 1971 and continued to advance into radio, satellite communication, multimedia, computer technologies and now the Internet and ISDN conferencing and courses. Her current work in this area is the new Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation online courses in English and Spanish. She has served as visiting professor and Board Member at Crec Avex (Lyon, France).   She is co-director of the Caribbean School of Catholic Communications (Trinidad / Tobago, West Indies). She served as the past World President for the International Catholic Association for Radio and Television known as UNDA from 1994-2002 and in 1998 and 2001 Chairperson for the Unda/OCIC Planning Committees for the World Congresses in Prague (1994) (Czech Republic), Montreal (1998- Canada) and Rome (2001- Rome,Italy). She was a member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (Vatican) 1994-2002.

She is the Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (1978- present) and Professor in the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Dayton (a Catholic / Marianist University). Awards include the Lackner Award, recognition by NCEA as one of the influential Catholic Educators in the 20th century, the President's Medallion for Lifetime Achievement in Communications awarded by the National Catholic Association of Communicators,the NCCL Technology Award for her lifetime contribution for the advancement of new communication technology and catechesis. She has also received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal from Pope John Paul II in Rome, the Distinguished Communicators Award from the Salesian Guild, the Honorary Prize of Julian Kulenty from the National Catholic Film Association Conference. She has published several books including her most recent publication (2007) Communicatio Socialis: The Challenge of Theology and Ministry in the Church published by Kassel University (Germany).

She gives workshops, seminars and lectures around the world.  She serves as an international consultant on transformational leadership, dialogue distance online learning, organizational strategic planning to Church, education and non-profit organizations, as well as, media education with special emphasis on religion and film. Currently she is a working with the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference for Social Communications exploring new avenues for the use of the Internet for ministry serving as a consultant to FABC-BISCOM. Currently Zukowski is engaged in research and the design of prototypes for interactive e- learning for Catholic education, adult faith, lay ecclesial leadership and catechist formation. Her current research is to identify the Best Practices for Applying Educational Technology in Catholic education.

 

Taking Stock — Questions to Help Assess and Shape a Parish Faith Community for Its Evangelizing Mission


Affirming the value of assessment in the improvement process, participants begin with the 2002 document Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. This document contains three goals, 31 objectives, and 156 strategies. Each strategy can be the basis of an assessment question. Utilizing this tactic, participants can also address the questions in Pope Benedict's Porta Fidei, in the Lineamenta for the 2012 Synod on the New Evangelization, and in Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization by the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. The webinar concludes with a reference to the list of propositions from the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.

Webinar* | Feedback *© 2013 Leland Nagel. Used with permission.

Leadership Institute - Lee NagelPresenter

Leland Nagel

Lee has held a variety of positions on both the diocesan and university level. He is the former Director of Education for the Diocese of Green Bay. Lee is completing his dissertation at the Alliant International University in San Diego, California for his doctorate in Leadership and Human Behavior, currently he is the Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. His messages are motivational and inspirational. A faith-filled storyteller, Lee Nagel is an educator by profession and a catechist by vocation, a teacher by trade and an evangelist by Baptism.