“Prophets of a Future Not Our Own will be the theme of a Ministry Formation Day set for Saturday January 28th, 8:30-2:30, Queen of Saint Hall at the Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.
The day is sponsored by the new Diocesan Leadership Institute, and is open to all those serving in ministry. “If you serve in youth ministry, religious education, liturgy, or any parish/school ministry, you are invited and encouraged to attend,” said Evan Psencik Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Faith Formation. Psencik said the day will feature “three rounds of presentations styled after TED talks.”
Round One, “Modern Day Prophets”, focuses on the Church as Prophet, Young People as Prophets, and The Prophetic Family. Round Two, ”Prophetic Praxis,” will explore topics including Praying with Young People, Pastoral Care in Crisis, and Reaching the Margins. Round Three, “Prophetic Engagement,” will reflect on Engaging Others (en Espanol) Engaging Liturgies, and Engaging Technology.
Speakers and Topics
Round One:
Sr. Maureen Sullivan, O.P. – The Church as Prophet
Sr. Maureen Sullivan, O.P. is a Dominican Sister of Hope from New York. She received her M.A. in Theology from Manhattan College in the Bronx and her Ph.D. from Fordham University, also in the Bronx. She is Professor Emerita of Theology at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire.
Patrick Donovan – Young People as Prophets
Patrick is the director of The Leadership Institute and has more than 25 years of ministry experience.
Chris Padgett – The Prophetic Family
Chris Padgett is a popular speaker, musician, professor, and author who has traveled around the world for nearly two decades giving concerts, talks, keynotes, and retreats to all ages about the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. A convert to Catholicism, he also teaches at Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as Catholic Distance University. He and his wife, Linda, have nine children and live north of Syracuse in Constantia, NY.
Round Two:
Fr. Sam Kachuba – Praying with Young People
Fr. Sam Kachuba was born and raised in the Diocese of Bridgeport, where he attended Catholic schools in the diocese before entering St. John Fisher Seminary. He earned his undergrad in philosophy at Fordham University and then studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He is currently the pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Fairfield.
Dr. Greg Bottaro – Pastoral Care in Crisis
Dr. Gregory Bottaro is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Catholic Psych Institute. He received his Psy.D. (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, a graduate school in Arlington, VA that integrates Catholic philosophy and theology with sound, empirically validated psychology.
Dr. Ansel Augustine – Reaching the Margins
Ansel Augustine is the director for the Office of Black Catholic Ministries in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Previously, he served as the associate director and coordinator of Black Catholic youth and young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ CYO Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office. Ansel has his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies and Doctorate in Ministry.
Round Three
Armando Cervantes – Engaging Others (en Español)
Armando M. Cervantes holds a BA in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Public and Community Service, an MA in Pastoral Theology, and just recently received his Executive Master in Business Administration from Chapman University. He is the Director of Youth and Young Adult ministries for the Diocese of Orange, advocating and empowering ministry in various language communities.
Fr. Joseph McQuaide – Engaging Liturgies
Rev. Joseph McQuaide is the Vice Chancellor and Coordinator for the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware. He has a Master’s degree in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm in Rome and is currently pursuing studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
Evan Psencik – Engaging Technology
Evan is the coordinator of youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Bridgeport and brings his winning charm and sunny disposition to all those he meets.
There is a $10/per person charge, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. To learn more and for registration, visit: www.formationreimagined.org
