2014 National Conference Program Guide

2014 National Conference Program Guide
Updated as of July 31, 2014
Welcome! We hope you find this program helpful in learning about all the wonderful
opportunities there are to learn, network and grown at the 2014 National Conference in
Memphis. Please check back often as we continue to update this guide with new
program features and information. For the most up to date schedule, please visit our
website at www.cta-usa.org/conference and see the program book available onsite at
the conference.
Conference Schedule
Friday
9am – 3pm
3:00pm – 7:00pm
3:30pm - 4:45pm
5:15pm – 6:30pm
6:30pm – 7:00pm
7:00pm – 7:45pm
7:45pm – 8:30pm
8:45pm – 9:45pm
Pre Conference Workshops
Exhibit Hall Open
Wide Open Friday
Ticketed Dinner & Program
Find your Chapter in Ballroom
Opening Liturgy and Welcome Address
Keynote with Kerry Kennedy
Caucuses & Receptions
Page 4-5
Prayer Sessions
Exhibit Hall (Closed during morning keynote)
Workshop Block A
Workshop Block B
Morning Keynote with Rev. James Lawson
Lunch & Exhibit Hall Time
Caucuses
Workshop Block C
Chapter Meetings – by Region
Workshop Block D
Ticketed Dinner & Evening Program
Page 20
Page 5
Page 3
Saturday
7:30am-8:15am
8:30am - 6:00pm
8:30am-9:45pm
10:00am – 11:00am
11:15am-12:15pm
12:30pm – 2:00pm
1:15pm - 2:00pm
2:15pm – 3:30pm
3:45pm-4:45pm
5:00pm – 6:00pm
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Pages 6-8
Pages 9-12
Page 3
Pages 13-15
Pages 16-19
Page 5
Sunday
7:00am – 8:00am
8:45am - 9:45am
9:45am – 10:30am
10:45am - 12:15pm
Donors Breakfast
Morning Address & 2014 Call To Action Leadership Award
Keynote with Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ
Page 3
Closing Liturgy
2
Keynote Speakers
Friday, November 7, 2014
Kerry Kennedy
Kerry Kennedy is the President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
She is the author of New York Times best seller, Being Catholic Now: Prominent Americans talk
about Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning published by Crown Books/ Random
House in September 2008 and Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing
Our World Random House 2000. Ms. Kennedy is a graduate of Brown University and Boston
College Law School and she is a member of the Massachusetts and District of Columbia bars.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Rev. James M Lawson, Jr.
James M. Lawson was invited to the South in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to teach
Gandhian nonviolence. He trained students like Diane Nash, Marion Barry, John Lewis and James
Bevel – joining them in the sit ins and the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating
Committee (SNCC.) Lawson worked closely with Dr. King and his Southern Christian Leadership
Conference (SCLC) starting in 1960. His request brought King to Memphis to stand with the striking sanitation
workers in 1968 – where King was killed. Lawson continued the work of SCLC. As a pastor in Los Angeles,
1975-1999, and continuing today, Lawson has been tireless in the nonviolent struggle for justice and peace.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ
Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ is the Distinguished Professor of Theology at Fordham University
in New York City. A former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the oldest
and largest association of theologians in the world, she is the author of many books and
articles. Her most recent work is on the wonder of creation, entitled Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of
Love.
3
Pre-Conference Seminars
Pre-registration is required for pre-conference seminars. There is an additional fee of $65 for these seminars.
Please use the number code when registering to indicate your choice for of pre-conference seminar (1.02,
1.03, etc.) Financial assistance is available. Please visit our website for more details.
Friday, November 7, 2014 • 9:00am to 3:00pm
1.01: AFRICAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH; DEBRA BRITTENUM
The intersection of Catholic education, social teaching and Jim Crow spawned evangelization in Black
southern communities. The day will focus on the shape the Black liberation struggle took in the life of Black
Catholic families and the contribution that Black life has made to Catholic theology and practice. The group will
be limited to 20 and will visit sites and landmarks in the Memphis community that illustrate this greatest story
seldom told. It is suitable for middle, high school and college students as well as adults interested in the vision
of Church through the eyes of those on the margins.
While travel to the sites is included, lunch will be in the community and on your own. Pre-registration is
required and space is limited.
1.02: KING OF KINGS: A SPIRITUAL REVIVAL WITH ELVIS PRESLEY; KATE CHILDS
GRAHAM
Elvis Presley once said, “All I want is to know and experience God. I’m a searcher, that’s what I’m
all about.” The King of Rock-and-Roll was drawn to Hinduism and Christianity, among other faith
traditions, and read thousands of spiritual books. During this day-long revival, participants will meditate on the
readings hat inspired Elvis, listen and sing-along to his gospel recordings, learn about his Catholic
connections, discuss cultural appropriation and tour Graceland, including the Meditation Garden.
While travel to the sites is included, lunch will be in the community and on your own. Pre-registration is
required and space is limited.
Kate Childs Graham is a columnist with the National Catholic Reporter, a board member of Call To Action and
a lifelong Elvis fan. A graduate of The Catholic University of America and the U.N.-mandated University for
Peace in Costa Rica, she is a communications strategist in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter:
@kchildsgraham.
1.03: BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS ALL GENERATIONS; Hosted by CTA 20/30 YOUNG
ADULTS
In the church justice movement, we have a lot to learn from each other across generations. We
have many differences, but we all have important stories to tell, and through sharing and listening to each
other’s experiences, we all grow in wisdom. Part workshop, part story-sharing, in this seminar we will learn and
practice ways to foster cross-generational dialogue. Participants will leave with tools to understand and engage
across age difference – in their churches, CTA chapters, workplaces or families, with special emphasis on how
our generational experience informs our hopes and needs in progressive Catholic community.
4
1.04: A PARENT DAY OF ADVOCACY, SUPPORT AND REFLECTION; CAITLIN RYAN, PHD
AND DEB WORD
This pre-session day will be spent with parents and families of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender children and is also open to those who advocate for LGBTQ persons. Education and
prayerful reflection the morning session will include a presentation by Dr. Caitlin Ryan on the Family
Acceptance Project’s award winning Best Practices approach to prevent suicide and homelessness
for LGBTQ youth. The afternoon will concentrate on parent stories, shared reflections and spiritual
direction.
Caitlin Ryan, PhD, ACSW is a Catholic clinical social worker who’s worked on LGBT health and
mental health for 40 years. She directs the Family Acceptance Project – a research and intervention initiative
to help ethnically and religiously diverse families to support their LGBT children to prevent risk and promote
well-being.
Deb Word is the Fortunate Families president, a member of the Memphis Diocesan Catholic Ministry with Gay
and Lesbian persons adhoc team, Safe house mom for Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, part of
the groundbreaking event More than a Monologue, contributor to a publication of the same name, and blogs at
thiscatholicmom.blogspot.com.
1.05: ORGANIZING FOR A BETTER CATHOLIC CHURCH; BOB HEINEMAN AND CHURCH JUSTICE
ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Over the past twenty years, Call To Action’s local chapters have been a major stimulus for making the Catholic
Church more just, inclusive and accountable. As faithful followers of Vatican II’s vision of the Church as the
“people of God”, CTA Chapters have succeeded in weathering the regressive policies of two Papacies. Now,
with fresh leadership in the Vatican, the time is ripe for Call To Action to grow into the majority movement to
Inspire Catholics and Transform the Church.
Evening Programs & Dinners
Join the community for dinner and enjoy the special programs that follow after. Tickets must
be purchased ahead of time for the dinner. Participants without tickets may join the program
portion that follows the dinner at no additional charge.
Friday: Dinner &
Vatican II Sing-A-Long
Hosted by CTA 20/30
Saturday: Dinner &
Film: At the River I Stand
Tickets: $40 per meal, per ticket.
5
Workshops – Block A
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 8:30am to 9:15am
From Sanctuary to Leader in Birthing a New Church: The Dignity Story
Marianne Duddy-Burke
This session will address how Dignity, born as a place to provide safety for lesbian and gay
Catholics, has transformed into a movement that addresses broader LGBT justice issues,
misogyny, and lay empowerment. We will examine how the crises moments of expulsion from
Catholic space, bishops' orders that priests not preside for Dignity, adding support for transgender people, and
allowing local groups to determine who should preside at liturgies all became opportunities to be the Church
we desired.
Marianne Duddy-Burke is Executive Director of DignityUSA, and a 32 year member of the organization, and a
longtime advocate for LGBTQ justice and church reform. She was last year's conference homilist. Marianne
holds a Masters Degree in Theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology/Boston College. She is married
and the mother of two daughters.
Francis and a Recovery of the Spirit of Vatican II
John Sivalon
This workshop will analyze the Exhortation of Francis "Evangelii Gaudium." It will look at his
vision coming out of the Synod on the New Evangelization and how they differ than those of the Synod Fathers
and those of the documents in preparation for the Synod. It will discuss all of this in terms of the main elements
that have shaped his identity: he is a Jesuit, a missionary and a Latin American.
John Sivalon was born and raised in Butte, Montana and graduated from Maryknoll College with a BA in
Sociology and from Maryknoll seminary with an M.A. and M.Div. in Theology. Following ordination, he was
assigned to the Africa Region where he worked in the Musoma Diocese. During his pastoral work in the Africa
Region he was appointed Justice and Peace Coordinator. Currently, he is a visiting associate professor at the
University of Scranton Department of Theology and Religious Studies. In 2012, Orbis Books published his
book, "The Mission of God and Postmodern Culture: The Gift of Uncertainty."
Embracing the Discomfort of Diversity
Mark Charles
At Pentecost God laid a foundation of diversity for his church when he allowed the disciples to
speak the languages of the nations. But today we often use the cultural value of assimilation to
achieve unity. This seminar will explore how indigenous Christians are contextualizing worship for
their cultures; using drums, chants, traditional dances, native languages and even different perceptions of time.
Learning that unity is not found in sameness but in celebrating our differences.
Mark Charles is the son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man who seeks to
understand the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and faith to help forge a path of
healing and reconciliation for the nation. He works as a speaker, writer and consultant and lives on the Navajo
Reservation.
6
The Black Madonna's Magnificat: Poor Women, Faith & Resistance
Onlielove Alston, M.Div, MSW
Through examining images of the Black Madonna and undertaking an interactive textual
reflection on the Magnificat we will explore the social implications of these powerful images and
their inspiration to women and marginalized communities. We will conclude with practical suggestions for how
we can answer the Biblical Call to justice as inspired by the model provided to us by Miriam Mother of
Yahshua. This workshop will include photos, video and lively discussion.
Onleilove Alston, is the Faith Community Organizer at Faith in New York, a speaker and writer. She has a
passion for creating materials to aid in holistic sanctification that leads to spiritual maturity, emotional health,
and prophetic justice. Founder of Prophetic Whirlwind: Uncovering the Black Biblical Destiny, she blogs at
Wholeness4Love.
A Question of Conscience
Fr. Tony Flannery
Fr.Tony has been ordered to remain silent and forbidden to minister as a priest because of his
refusal to sign a document that violates his conscience: namely that women cannot be priests and
that he accepts all Church stances on contraception, homosexuality, and refusal of the sacraments to people in
second relationships. After a year during which he attempted to come to some accommodation with the
Vatican without success, he has decided to take a public stance on the need for reform in the Church.
Fr. Tony Flannery is a native of Galway, and member of the Redemptorist Congregation for more than 50
years. He is the founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in Ireland.
Discipleship as Public Witness and Action for Transformation
Maria Teresa Davila
Through presentation, open discussion, and small group work this session hopes to encourage,
equip, and embolden laity to define the following of Jesus through public witness, action, and
activism. Issues that will be discussed are solidarity and relationship building, especially across
issues and with others with opposing views, identifying obstacles and fears, generating ideas and concrete
steps to motivate us individually and corporately.
MT Dávila, a Roman Catholic laywoman, is Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Andover Newton
Theological School. MT has written in the areas of Latino/a ethics and U.S. civil society, the ethics of the use of
force, the option for the poor in the United States, racism and theological ethics, and the use of the social
sciences for ethical reflection. She is currently studying how Christian leaders from various traditions relate
their discipleship to public witness and activism. She lives in Malden, MA, with her husband Rob and four
children, and attends St. Joseph's Parish in Malden
7
Good Catholics: The Battle over Abortion in the Catholic Church
Patti Miller, Katie Breslin and Catholics for Choice
Patricia Miller is the author of Good Catholics: The Battle Over Abortion in the Catholic Church. Her
writing on the intersection of sex, religion and politics has appeared in The Nation, Ms. and
Huffington Post. She writes about the politics of sex and Catholicism for Religion Dispatches and is a
former editor of Conscience magazine.
Katie Breslin is the Domestic Program Associate at Catholics for Choice where shepromotes CFC’s US
advocacy on the local, state and national levels, focusing on outreach, engagement, and relationship building
with the organization’s extensive network of activists and advocates. Her experience includes working on
political campaigns and in a congressional office. Ms. Breslin holds a bachelor’s degree in political science
from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC.
The Vatican and the Abuse Crisis
Jason Berry
Pope Francis's rhetoric on change has far outpaced the church bureaucracy in achieving deep
structural reforms. What are the key issues? How feasible is true change? What will it take to
develop a culture of justice within the church?
8
Workshops – Block B
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 10:00am to 11:00am
Immigrants as Workers
Jorge Mujica
Family Reunification or Worker's Visas? A presentation of the real needs and hopes of international workers in
the United States. "What good is it to be a citizen if I earn minimum wage and my wages get stolen?"
Born in Mexico City, Mújica has lived in Chicago since 1988. An accomplished journalist, he won two “First
Place” awards by the National Association of Hispanic Publishers. Has worked with labor unions, organizing
immigrant workers, and is one of the three conveners of the historic immigrant rights marches in 2006.
The Margin of Age
Liz England
A presentation focused on Catholic young adults. Presenters will reflect on their struggle with the Catholic
Church as an institution. It will touch on topics including marginalizaiton, rejection, and the feelings and issues
facing young adults in the church. We hope to engage participants on the questions: what does it look like to
be on the margins? Is their value to being on the outside? Is their wisdom in the margins? What lies ahead for
us?
Liz England is the Program Coordinator at FutureChurch. She holds a Master’s degree in Religious Studies
from John Carroll University and a Bachelor’s Magna Cum Laude from Hiram College. While at John Carroll,
Liz she worked as a Graduate Assistant to the Director of the Cardinal Suenens Center which exists to serve
the vision of Vatican II. Liz is a wife and a mom to twin boys.
LGBT equality in US Catholic Higher Education
Dave Fletcher, D. Min.
Is it appropriate for a Catholic university to include the phrase “sexual orientation” in its nondiscrimination clause? Conversely can a Catholic university fail to include “sexual orientation”
in its non-discrimination clause and still maintain that it is living up to Gospel values, and the magisterial
teaching of the Catholic Church? Come learn what a survey of 249 Catholic universities reveals about the
struggle for LGBT equality in the US Catholic higher education environment.
Dave Fletcher has served Barry University Enrollment Services for over 16 years, currently as Senior Director
of Graduate Admissions since 2003. He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Barry in 2012, writing on
inclusivity in the Barry community in light of magisterial teaching and the University’s founding and animating
documents.
9
Visions of Transformation
Austin Brown
Look closely at Peter’s life and we’ll find a blueprint for our journey towards reconciliation- both
personally and structurally. Attend this session to pinpoint your current point of tension and receive
real-life examples for making the most of where you are, even as you prepare to move forward.
Austin Channing Brown started her career as an Associate for Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil learning the
foundations of reconciliation ministry. Austin directed inner-city missions, led multicultural trainings for Willow
Creek Community Church, and served as Multicultural Ministry Specialist for Willow Chicago. She now writes
and speaks on racial reconciliation.
Modern Day Abolitionists: Engaging the Catholic Community in the Fight to Abolish the Prison
Industrial Complex
Jennifer Reyes Lay
One out of every 100 people in the U.S. is currently incarcerated, and while the US only makes up 5% of the
world population, it incarcerates 25% of the world's prison population. There are currently more African
American men incarcerated today than were enslaved before emancipation, and the U.S. incarcerates more of
its African American population than did South Africa at the height of apartheid. $50 billion of our tax money is
spent annually on incarcerations. This is due to the current system of mass incarceration, fueled by the prison
industrial complex. Come learn about how we got to where we are today and how we can work together to
abolish the prison industrial complex and imagine a new way of being neighbor to one.
Jennifer Reyes Lay is the current Executive Director of the Catholic Action Network for Social Justice in St.
Louis, MO. An Iowa native, she attended undergrad at St. Louis University and graduated with an Honors B.A.
in Theology and International Studies, with minors in Spanish, Women's Studies, and Philosophy. Jennifer is
dedicated to dismantling systems of oppression and creating communities of life. Her guiding motto in life and
work is "Gloria Dei Vivens Homo" (The Glory of God is the Human Being Fully Alive) ~ Irenaeus.
Embodying the Sacred in Birth
Peg Conway
Childbirth is a profound physical and spiritual passage in a woman’s life that mostly goes
unrecognized. Our culture regards birth as strictly medical, and our tradition’s most well-known
statement on the matter is that birth pain is God’s punishment on women. Using James Nelson’s
concept of “body theology” as a basis, this presentation will explore the physical process of birth as a means of
articulating its holiness in a way that is empowering and celebratory.
Peg Conway is the author of Embodying the Sacred: A Spiritual Preparation for Birth, and she offers retreats
for pregnant women based on this book. A former doula and childbirth educator, she is a certified celebrant
and writes a blog called Sense of the Faithful.
10
Mary Magdalene and the Spiritual and Social Empowerment of Women
Barbara Litrell
The Mary Magdalene Celebration in Sedona has, over the past 10 years, served as an umbrella
for exploring the real role of Mary Magdalene as a partner of Jesus, the role of women in church,
the hidden women of Scripture, the attributes of Mary Magdalene and the messages of Mary
Magdalene for women today - the most important of which is to throw off the outer garment and come into your
power.
Barbara Litrell is President of B. Litrell Communications Corp., a PR and event planning firm. Her expertise
was developed over 28 years in advertising with The New York Times and as publisher of national magazines
including McCall’s, Working Woman and Working Mother.In October 2002, she co-produced the first-ever
conference focused on women, business and spirituality in leadership roles. For the past 10 years she has
organized a Mary Magdalene celebration in Sedona aimed at the spiritual and social empowerment of women.
.
Churning Out Hope, Teaching Peace
Mary Fox
Gandhi advised: “if we are to teach real peace in this world … we shall have to begin with the
children.” It takes a deliberate effort to give children the gifts they need to confidently promote
peace in the world and in their own lives. This interactive workshop reflects on five aspects of
peacemaking and offers practical group activities for reinforcing the skills and attitudes necessary for a better
society.
Mary Fox is co-author of Peacemakers: The New Generation, a series of books with activities for teaching
children habits and attitudes of peacemaking. For over twenty years, she has run teacher-training workshops,
children’s retreats, day camps and overnight camps as well as the Children’s Program at CTA Conferences.
Small Faith Groups (IEC's) Keys to their success and longevity
John Chuchman, MA, CDOS, BT
Small Faith Groups, Intentional Eucharistic Communities are sprouting up all over the world as
people of all backgrounds seek Spiritual Growth and Nurturing lacking in Institutional Religions.
Though many are new, many have being Gathering for many years. This workshop reviews the background,
the history, the keys to success and longevity. Participants are welcomed to share their own experiences in
Small Faith Groups and Gather new ideas to enrich their efforts.
Grief Counselor, Poet, Author, Spiritual Companion, John Chuchman offers workshops, seminars, in-service
programs, and retreats on Grief, Grief Healing, Church, Spiritually, and Spiritual Growth for Grievers,
Caregivers, and Spiritual Travelers. John graduated from John Carroll University is a certified Bereavement
Counselor with a Master of Arts from Saint Mary's University, a certificate in Spirituality from Kino Institute and
has been ordained by the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit.
11
Cultivate Better Stories, Change Church: Strategies for Effective
Messaging
Ryan Hoffman and Nicole Sotelo
Good stories move us. They have the power to touch us deeply and provoke
action. As we encounter meaningful stories, they give us hope and courage to take action. For those of us in
the church justice movement, we can use compelling stories to spark change. Whether you are an
organizational leader or someone who posts on Facebook, this session will explore storytelling strategies and
help you build skills to cultivate a better church.
Ryan Hoffmann uses storytelling in his role as Director of Communications at Call To Action. Previously, Ryan
worked with enrollment marketing at Loyola Chicago and Catholic Theological Union. Ryan possesses
master’s degrees in Higher Education from Iowa State and Spirituality from Loyola Chicago. He can be
reached at ryan@cta-usa.org.
Nicole Sotelo uses the power of stories to create a better church. She writes for the National Catholic Reporter
and is author of Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace. A graduate of Harvard Divinity
School, she currently serves as a communications professional for women religious. You can contact her at
WomenHealing.com.
12
Workshops – Block C
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 2:15pm to 3:30pm
Francis and a recovery of the spirit of Vatican II
John Sivalon
This workshop will analyze the Exhortation of Francis "Evangelii Gaudium." It will look at his
vision coming out of the Synod on the New Evangelization and how they differ than those of the Synod Fathers
and those of the documents in preparation for the Synod. It will discuss all of this in terms of the main elements
that have shaped his identity: he is a Jesuit, a missionary and a Latin American.
John Sivalon was born and raised in Butte, Montana and graduated from Maryknoll College with a BA in
Sociology and from Maryknoll seminary with an M.A. and M.Div. in Theology. Following ordination, he was
assigned to the Africa Region where he worked in the Musoma Diocese. During his pastoral work in the Africa
Region he was appointed Justice and Peace Coordinator. Currently, he is a visiting associate professor at the
University of Scranton Department of Theology and Religious Studies. In 2012, Orbis Books published his
book, "The Mission of God and Postmodern Culture: The Gift of Uncertainty."
Embracing the Discomfort of Diversity
Mark Charles
At Pentecost God laid a foundation of diversity for his church when he allowed the disciples to
speak the languages of the nations. But today we often use the cultural value of assimilation to
achieve unity. This seminar will explore how indigenous Christians are contextualizing worship for
their cultures; using drums, chants, traditional dances, native languages and even different
perceptions of time. Learning that unity is not found in sameness but in celebrating our differences.
Mark Charles is the son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man who seeks to
understand the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and faith to help forge a path of
healing and reconciliation for the nation. He works as a speaker, writer and consultant and lives on the Navajo
Reservation.
The Black Madonna's Magnificat: Poor Women, Faith & Resistance
Onlielove Alston, M.Div, MSW
Through examining images of the Black Madonna and undertaking an interactive textual
reflection on the Magnificat we will explore the social implications of these powerful images and
their inspiration to women and marginalized communities. We will conclude with practical
suggestions for how we can answer the Biblical Call to justice as inspired by the model provided to us by
Miriam Mother of Yahshua. This workshop will include photos, video and lively discussion.
Onleilove Alston, is the Faith Community Organizer at Faith in New York, a speaker and writer. She has a
passion for creating materials to aid in holistic sanctification that leads to spiritual maturity, emotional health,
and prophetic justice. Founder of Prophetic Whirlwind: Uncovering the Black Biblical Destiny, she blogs at
Wholeness4Love.
13
A Question of Conscience
Fr. Tony Flannery
Fr.Tony has been ordered to remain silent and forbidden to minister as a priest because of his
refusal to sign a document that violates his conscience: namely that women cannot be priests
and that he accepts all Church stances on contraception, homosexuality, and refusal of the
sacraments to people in second relationships. After a year during which he attempted to come to some
accommodation with the Vatican without success, he has decided to take a public stance on the need for
reform in the Church.
Fr. Tony Flannery is a native of Galway, and member of the Redemptorist Congregation for more than 50
years. He is the founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in Ireland.
Discipleship as Public Witness and Action for Transformation
Maria Teresa Davila
Through presentation, open discussion, and small group work this session hopes to encourage,
equip, and embolden laity to define the following of Jesus through public witness, action, and
activism. Issues that will be discussed are solidarity and relationship building, especially across
issues and with others with opposing views, identifying obstacles and fears, generating ideas and concrete
steps to motivate us individually and corporately.
MT Dávila, a Roman Catholic laywoman, is Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Andover Newton
Theological School. MT has written in the areas of Latino/a ethics and U.S. civil society, the ethics of the use of
force, the option for the poor in the United States, racism and theological ethics, and the use of the social
sciences for ethical reflection. She is currently studying how Christian leaders from various traditions relate
their discipleship to public witness and activism. She lives in Malden, MA, with her husband Rob and four
children, and attends St. Joseph's Parish in Malden
A LA FAMILIA: LGBTQ Acceptance in the Latino Catholic Community
Lisbeth Melendez Rivera and Rosa Manriquez, IHM
The Human Rights Campaign will present a conversation about our families, the
Bible, sexual orientation and gender identity, and LGBT inclusion in Catholic and
Protestant Latino families and parishes/congregations. Utilizing "Before God, We Are All Family", as a tool for
dialogue, we will engage in barnstorming and strategic dialogue as to how to move our Church to speak out for
the LGBT community and beyond.
Lisbeth Melendez Rivera is a 20+ veteran of LGBT and labor movements. Currently, Lisbeth heads “A La
Familia” – a joint program of Unidos, the National Latino LGBT Human Rights Organization, The Human Right
Campaign, and the National Gay Lesbian Task Force. As such, she trains facilitators and leads facilitated
dialogues for Christian families of LGBT Latinos across the country. In addition, she currently acts as Program
Director for Unidos.
Rosa Manriquez is a member of the Immaculate Heart Community and a member of Call To Action national
board of directors.
14
Unplugged
Paul McComas and Maya Kuper
Recipient of numerous Novel of the Year, Book of the Month, and Critic's Choice
designations, Unplugged (2002) is now in development as a feature film. This stage version
combines riveting drama with original alt-pop and Western songs to chronicle 27-year-old rocker
and rape survivor Dayna Clay's bumpy journey out of depression, through the Dakota Badlands,
and into discovery, hope, full embrace of her bisexuality, and love.
Paul McComas is an award-winning author (five critically acclaimed books, plus three in process), actor,
educator, filmmaker and musician, and a progressive activist who's been honored by his home state
(Wisconsin); the Mental Health Association; and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, on whose
National Leadership Council and Speakers Bureau he serves. Info: www.paulmccomas.com
Good Catholics: The Battle over Abortion in the Catholic Church
Patti Miller, Katie Breslin and Catholics for Choice
Patricia Miller is the author of Good Catholics: The Battle Over Abortion in the Catholic Church. Her
writing on the intersection of sex, religion and politics has appeared in The Nation, Ms. and
Huffington Post. She writes about the politics of sex and Catholicism for Religion Dispatches and is a former
editor of Conscience magazine.
Katie Breslin is the Domestic Program Associate at Catholics for Choice where shepromotes CFC’s US
advocacy on the local, state and national levels, focusing on outreach, engagement, and relationship building
with the organization’s extensive network of activists and advocates. Her experience includes working on
political campaigns and in a congressional office. Ms. Breslin holds a bachelor’s degree in political science
from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC.
The Vatican and the Abuse Crisis
Jason Berry
Pope Francis's rhetoric on change has far outpaced the church bureaucracy in achieving deep
structural reforms. What are the key issues? How feasible is true change? What will it take to
develop a culture of justice within the church?
15
Workshop – Block D
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 5:00pm to 6:00pm
More Fire...Burn out Batty Boy
Dr. Winsome Chunnu-Brayda
This presentation examines the complex ideological challenges surrounding the political and social
discrimination of homosexuals in Jamaica. Aspects of the country’s social, religious, and political institutions
foster anti-homosexuality attitudes. This has implications for people who are GLBTQA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer, Asexual and Allies) and for the populace. Dancehall music, theories relating to
masculinity, politics, and the role of the church, as well as the impact of discrimination on HIV/AIDS reporting
will be discussed.
Winsome holds a Ph.D. Cultural Studies in Education (Education Policy) from Ohio University. She received an
M.A. in Political Science (International Relations) from Ohio University. Winsome also received a B.A. in Hotel
Management from Huston Tillotson College, an A.A in Hotel Restaurant Management form Hocking College,
and a Diploma from Western Hospitality Institute. Presently, she is the Associate Director for the Multicultural
Center at Ohio University.
The Coalition of People and Priests: Trends in Shaping the Future of the Church
Deborah Rose-Milavec and Fr. Tony Flannery
Deborah Rose-Milavec (Exec. Director, FutureChurch), Fr. Tony Flannery (Founder of the
Association of Catholic Priests), Sr. Christine Schenk (Emerita, FutureChurch) and Fr. Gerry
Bechard (Pastor and Founder of Elephants in the Room) discuss the most recent trends in
partnerships between lay people and priests working for reform. Can there be equality in partnerships
between people and priests? What do these partnership look like? How do they function? And what are the
advantages when it comes to the work of reform? Join us for a panel discussion where you’ll get to share your
ideas and questions.
Deborah Rose-Milavec is Executive Director of FutureChurch. She earned a Master’s degree in theology and
a B.A. in International Studies. She has worked for church reform most of her life, served and advocated for
victims of domestic violence, and travelled widely internationally promoting and teaching women’s and gender
studies to women and men in developing regions.
Fr. Tony Flannery was raised in County Galway Ireland. He has been a member of the Redemptorist
Congregation for fifty years and a priest for forty of those years. He is traveling preacher of parish missions,
novenas, and retreats with a large following. He is the founder of the Association of Catholic Priests of Ireland.
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Christ Vs Clericism
Deacon Norm Carroll
Norm Carroll studied 7 years to become a Franciscan priest. He was ordained a permanent
deacon in 1979; earned a D.Min. degree; published his first theological book, and presented 200
parish retreats throughout the U.S. He supported in private conversation ordination of women, and
was suspended before then joining the Episcopal Church.
The presentation will provide my personal story of oppressive monarchical church governance. Such control
ignored collegiality and compassion thereby fostering the injustice of exclusion especially toward women, the
LGBT community, and even the baptized. The Hebrew word zedakah translated as charity also means justice
to which all have a right especially the marginalized. Christ's church is supremely obliged to practice zedakah,
and lead us by example and teaching on our journey to Christ.
Ministering to Young Families: Building Progressive Christian
Community with Children & Teens
Christa Kerber and Becky Schwantes-An
Parents have been wondering how to strengthen our families & communities
through faith & parenting, and how to make CTA’s mission & activities accessible to families with young
children. We’ve brainstormed ideas for conference activities, online communities, & even summer camp. Now,
in this International Year for the Family, it's time for action! We welcome all parents to come share ideas &
experience to help CTA be a warm, welcoming, nourishing community of all families.
Christa is a long-time CTA member, and the mother of two boys, who are 7 and 12. She and her family live in
the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, and have participated in numerous CTA conferences together.
Becky Schwantes-An is a mother, clinical social worker and pastoral minister. She earned her master’s in
social work from Washington University in St. Louis and her master’s in theology from the University of Notre
Dame. Becky has provided pastoral care and coordinated faith formation in parish life and served families as a
therapist. Becky is a new mother to one energetic and inquisitive child and has been married to her partner for
four years; she is former chair of the CTA 20/30 Leadership Team and currently serves on CTA Maryland’s
Board of Directors.
Immigration Reform & Border Security: Does This Welcome the Stranger?
Martha Sanchez and Fred Dabrowski
The session will provide an overview of the militarization of the southern border that is being included as part of
proposed immigration reform, a policy of fear, racism and greed. In addition an update will be provided on the
status of immigration reform and what we can do to continue to influence immigration policies and proposed
legislation.
Martha Sanchez – coordinator for La Unión Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), member of the CTA Anti-Racism
Team, member of CTA-RGV chapter and other peace and justice organizations in the Rio Grande Valley, TX.
Fred Dabrowski – retired, member of CTA Board, member of the CTA Anti-Racism Team, co-chair of CTARGV chapter, member of other peace and justice organizations in the Rio Grande Valley, TX and in Muskegon,
MI.
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At Risk LGBTQ Youth
Deb Word, Jennifer Keane and Will Batts
Deb Word, Will Batts and Jennifer Keane, a former homeless shelter social worker will describe the issues that
discarded LGBTQ teens face and the methods MGLCC and others in the community are using to problem
solve. This will be an interactive session with a chance for the audience to participate in problem solving. Deb
will share stories of some of the almost 20 youth who have stayed in her home after being kicked out.
Deb is the Fortunate Families president, member of the Memphis Diocesan Catholic Ministry with Gay and
Lesbian persons adhoc team, Safe house mom for Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, part of the
groundbreaking event More than a Monologue, contributor to a publication of the same name, and blogs at
thiscatholicmom.blogspot.com.
Will Batts is the Executive Director for Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. MGLCC is the only
resource for the community in a 200 mile radius. As the director Will meets with, shares resources and
problem solves with folks of all ages, with a particular emphasis on discarded youth.
Jennifer Keane, social worker and former homeless youth shelter case worker.
Making Moral Economic Systems
Katherine Wojtan, Gilda Larios and Vicki Meath
Daily we see examples of immoral economics harming our communities
and environment, and denying basic human dignity. Often, the power of
these economic forces can seem too large for small communities or
individuals to confront, but such efforts do exist, and they are successful in challenging the current, inequitable
system. This session will explore the various ways Mary’s Pence grantees have challenged the unjust
economic system we live in through participatory, justice-oriented economic programs.
Katherine will be moderator. Panelist include:
Gilda Larios, of Mexico City, is the ESPERA Facilitator for Mary’s Pence, serving as liaison and coach to
ESPERA, a program partnering with women’s groups in Central America and Mexico to create local community
lending pools. Gilda was deeply involved in migration issues during the conflicts in Central America.
Vicki Meath works with Just Economics, an organization that educates, advocates, and organizes for a just and
sustainable economy that works for all in Western North Carolina. Specifically, Vicki promotes Living Wage
Certification Programs, training in advocacy skills, and membership based organization.
"A Reading from Catholic Boy Blues" and Discussion
Norbert Krapf
I will read from and discuss "Catholic Boy Blues: A Poet’s Journal of Healing," about surviving
childhood abuse by a priest. Fifty years later, the poems came in four interacting voices: the boy,
the man I became, Mr. Blues, an earthy choric mentor who speaks in the blues idiom, and the
priest. The reading will trace the complex arc from the 1950s abuse to a vision of healing
Norbert Krapf, Indiana Poet Laureate 2008-10, taught at Long Island University 34 years and directed the C.W.
Post Poetry Center. His 26 books include 11 poetry collections exploring his Indiana German-Catholic roots. A
Pulitzer Prize nominee, he won the Lucille Medwick Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America.
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Roman Catholic WomenPriests Creating Currents of Change in Inclusive
Communities
Suzanne Thiel and Bridget Mary Meehan
Please join our womenpriests for an overview of what we are doing beyond our
ordinations. We are servant priests who are also college professors, theologians,
chaplains, pastors, street ministers, lawyers, nurses, architects, artists, mothers and grandmothers. From
California to Germany and Canada to Columbia, the people of God are discovering inclusive, collegial ways to
worship in Spirit-empowered communities which honor the dignity of all. Discover the diversity of our ministries
and the unity of our vision as we speak to a new and renewed model of church in the 21st century. We have
come to tell our stories.
A panel of WomenPriests and members of RCWP and ARCWP worshiping communities and ministries (TBA)
Moderators: Suzanne Thiel and Bridget Mary Meehan
Cry Out with A Million Voices
Liz England
Presentation will focus on our call to work for justice in our church through gospel nonviolence and supporting
the oppressed. It will include an exploration of oppression in today's world, examples of those who face
oppression, and what we can do to support them and advocate for justice in our own communities.
Liz England is the Program Coordinator at FutureChurch. She holds a Master’s degree in Religious Studies
from John Carroll University and a Bachelor’s Magna Cum Laude from Hiram College. While at John Carroll,
Liz she worked as a Graduate Assistant to the Director of the Cardinal Suenens Center which exists to serve
the vision of Vatican II. Liz is a wife and a mom to twin boys.
Called to Action: Ordinary People Are Changing the World
Sharon Shepela
We are people of hope called to be people of action. How can we rise to this challenge? In a
dynamic, inspiring workshop filled with stories of people changing the world bit by bit, Sharon will
help you recognize why your decisions are important and how to find the networks to help you
and the practical skills to make you effective, while weaving in spiritual insights and laughter as
we answer the call for justice.
Sharon Shepela, Ph.D. is an award-winning professor of psychology at the University of Hartford and co-author
of the book, Courageous Resistance: the Power of Ordinary People. She is a Pace e Bene (nonviolent living)
trainer offering workshops, retreats and lectures described by CTA attendees as “Extraordinary! Life-giving!”
“Helpful and optimistic” “Animated, practical.”
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Prayer Sessions
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 7:30am to 8:15am
Celebrating the Waters of Change
WomenPriests and members of RCWP and ARCWP worshiping communites.
Contacts: Suzanne Thiel and Bridget Mary Meehan
Roman Catholic WomenPriests invite you to celebrate an inclusive Eucharistic
Liturgy. Let us celebrate together the currents of change as we are called to action
for peace and justice in our world and a renewed Church.
Laughter Yoga
Mayra Avila
Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing which brings more oxygen to the body and
brain making you feel energetic and healthy. Anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes and comedy.
Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group but with eye contact and childlike playfulness it turns into
real and contagious laughter. It is based on the scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake
and real laughter.
Mayra Avila, graduated from The University of Texas-Pan American in 2010 with a Master of Science in Social
Work and is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Texas. She is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and
has been conducting sessions and trainings in Texas and México since 2012.
Drawing into the Heart of God
Joan Horgan
This prayer session will use music, drawing, writing and a small amount of movement to help us
find a way to drop into the world of our own hearts and in doing so come into greater communion
with the heart of God. In the fully active lives we lead with much coming at us in any given
moment, the arts provide a way to return to the realm of the soul. No special art skills are needed – only
openness is important.
Joan Horgan is the Director of Campus Ministry at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY where she also
designs programs using the arts for retreats and evenings of reflection in the diocese. She has found the arts
to be a great gift to the spiritual journey; her own and that of others.
Climbing Jacob's Ladder: Praying with Sr. Thea Bowman
Bob Funaro
Listening with silence and with word, we shall experience the life of this great Franciscan
Sister of Perpetual Adoration. We'll let her light shine with song, silence, Word, and
sharing. Sr. Thea Bowman was truly fearless in knowing and in proclaiming the Good News,
in proclaiming the glory and power of the Creator. She truly lived until she died! Come spend
some time in meeting and greeting this great leader and walk with her "on the Journey
Robert L. Funaro. Ed.D, LLP has been ordained for 44 years from the Diocese of Paterson, NJ; is a
psychotherapist in Ada, individual, marriage and pre-marriage counselling, education, and therapy. Member of
Board -Call to Action and Commissioned by Federation of Christian Ministries. Published and has a web site:
www.thejourneyemerges.com. Local, state and national presentations on topics related to Theology,
Leadership, Psychology, and Education.
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