2006 NCCYM—Special Track on Adolescent Catechesis

Best Practices in Adolescent Catechesis: Methods, Models, and Meanings

Sponsored by the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis: A Collaborative Effort by NCCL, NCEA, and the NFCYM.

Adolescent catechesis is an integral component of comprehensive youth ministry. This track will highlight some of the best methods (content) and models (process) occurring in adolescent catechesis throughout the country. Each Best Practices workshop will feature four presenters sharing their best practice on specific focus areas.   

Note: Attendance of workshops in this special track is open to all conference attendees without any additional cost.

Workshop Round A—Friday, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

A-15: Best Methods—for the Faith Theme of “Jesus Christ”

Presenters

  • Barb Legere—St. John the Evangelist, Spencerport, NY
  • Rich Mazzara—St. Mark the Evangelist, San Antonio, TX
  • Dr. Carole Goodwin—Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Archdiocese of Louisville
  • Rev. Jon G. Pedigo, S.T.L.—Pastor, St. Julie Billiart Parish, Diocese of San José

A-16: Best Parish Models—for Comprehensive Adolescent Catechesis

Presenters

  • Debra Gausmann—St. Joan of Arc, Yorktown, VA
  • Dorothy Distel—St. Thomas More, Henderson, NV
  • Leroy Orie—Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville, VA
  • Christine Coniglio and Erin Ebersold—St. Matthew, Livonia, NY

Workshop Round C—Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

C-15: Best Methods—for the Faith Theme of “Sacraments”

Presenters

  • Leslie Barkin—St. Catherine's, Mendon, NY
  • Steve Polly—Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Dodge City, KS
  • Nora Bradbury-Haehl—St. Paul's, Webster, NY
  • Maryann Hakowski—Holy Spirit Parish, Virginia Beach, VA

C-16: Best Diocesan Models—for Development and Training for Adolescent Catechesis

Presenters

  • Sandy Velasco Scott—Diocesan Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Diocese of San Jose, CA
  • Michael J. Hagarty—Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Raleigh, NC
  • Terry Reeder—Campus Minister and Theology Teacher, Nazareth Academy, Rochester, NY
  • Dr. Carole Goodwin—Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Archdiocese of Louisville

Workshop Round E—Saturday, 4:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

E-15: Best Methods—for the Faith Theme of “Church”

Presenters

  • Sue Versluys—Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Rochester, NY
  • Lara Dyer—Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, Colorado Springs, CO
  • Jen and Chip Williamson—St. Susanna Church, Mason, OH
  • Leslie Barkin—St. Catherine's, Mendon, NY

E-16: Best Models—Facilitated Dialogue on Adolescent Catechesis by National Leaders

Moderator

Dan Mulhall, USCCB

Invited Panelists

  • Bishop Richard Malone—Diocese of Portland, Maine
  • Maura Hagarty—Development Editor, St. Mary's Press
  • Carmen Cervantes —Instituto Fe y Vida
  • D. Scott Miller—Director of Adolescent Catechesis, Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Michael Carotta—Religious Education Consultant, Harcourt Publishing

Concurrent Sessions—Round B (Friday) and Round D (Saturday) 2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

B-6, D-6: Adolescent Catechesis: What the Church Needs Now

Presenter

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, STL, Th.D., Portland, Maine

Our Catholic vision of comprehensive youth ministry calls for a strong catechetical component. It is critically important for teens to be growing in their knowledge of the faith! Most of us committed to the faith formation of teens have been struggling to find ways to accomplish this mandate. The National Study of Youth and Religion has alarmed us with its claim that “On most measures of religious faith, belief, experience and practice, Catholic teens as a whole show up as fairly weak.” We have the message.  We have the motivation. What are the means?  Let’s talk!