Teologia do Acompanhamento em um Mundo Digital “Presença Fiel na Era das Telas” (Portuguese)

Esta palestra explora como a teologia e a espiritualidade fundamentam o discipulado digital à luz do acompanhamento. Examina a forma paciente, relacional e encarnacional com que a Igreja caminha ao lado das pessoas em sua jornada de fé, inspirando-se na experiência dos Discípulos de Emaús.

Presented by Priscilla Wanderley, Institute for Catholic Formation in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Spirituality for the Journey

“I know spirituality is important, but I am just so busy!” But we can’t sow what we don’t have. This session will identify the roadblocks and pitfalls in developing a personal spirituality and offer practical strategies for integrating spirituality into our everyday life and ministry. We will also provide a framework for understanding spirituality in a very practical way. It’s all about stopping and seeing!

Presented by Bob McCarty, pastoral ministry consultant and trainer and chair of the adult faith formation team at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, MD.  Maggie McCarty, freelance consultant in fundraising and non-profit management.

Resilient Ministry for a Busy, Tech-Saturated World

Explore tools for cultivating resilience, maintaining peace, and staying rooted in prayer while navigating the fast-paced and ever-changing demands of ministry in the age of smartphones and Artificial Intelligence. This session will include practical and spiritual suggestions for creating rhythms of rest and silence, strategies for intentional use of and appropriate boundaries for technology, and guidance on how to abide in God’s love and peace through the ups and downs of the day and year.

Presented by Patrick Manning, PhD., Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and the Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University.

Hybrid Ministry Formation

“May the God of peace sanctify you wholly” (1 Thes 5:23).  Practical examples of bringing together the Gospel, technology, relationships and fellowship in order to form others in evangelization, catechesis, and discipleship.  Dare to do something different, something more. 

Presented by Dr. Stella Maria Jeffrey, Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Catechizing Families in a Digital World

The digital world we live in evokes new challenges in catechizing students, parents, and families, but also new opportunities. This session addresses many of those challenges, offering new, practical, and engaging resources to help meet them and lead families to understand and love the Mass and understand and live the Faith.

Presented by Karen Bruskewicz, Director of Faith Formation at Catholic Brain.

The Shroud of Turin: The Passion, Death & Resurrection of Jesus

Learn about the Shroud of Turin from a theologian and Shroud expert.

Presented by Sean Fitzgerald, M.A. Director of Ministry Consulting at the Augustine Institute. 

Formación de la Fe a través de Las Pantallas (Español)

Dicen que el Covid nos enseñó a usar el Internet como fuente de catequesis y evangelización. ¿Y si te dijera que puedes usar software gratuito para informar e instruir a los fieles, combinando lo mejor de los recursos religiosos y seculares en la catequesis? Yo lo he hecho, y funciona. ¿Quieres intentarlo? Acompáñame en esta charla.

Presented by Juan Rodriguez, Youth Minister Consultant and Founder of the Youth & Young Adult Apostolate - Defenders of the Holy Trinity. 

Building Hope Amid Digital Noise

You and I are commissioned by our Faith to Build HOPE Amid Digital Noise. This discussion will examine how to do it. Every age has had specific challenges – our age is no different. I will explore in this presentation how and why today’s challenges decrease HOPE. I will also examine why HOPE is the only solution to the challenge.

Presented by Linda Kracht, Fortifying Families of Faith.

Storytelling with Digital Tools

Learn how to harness the power of story—through short videos, social posts, or blogs—to inspire, connect, and evangelize in compelling new ways.

Presented by Kendall McLaren, USCCB.

OCIA Difficult Situations

OCIA can be hard, and oftentimes, situations arise that can have you scratching your head. Amy will explore several such situations, from parents of an unbaptized child seeking Holy Communion to someone who seeks full communion in the Church but cannot provide a baptism certificate. Or maybe a family wants to join the Church at the same time, but has children of varying ages? And what about someone who just happens to wander through your door after being away from formation for a while? What do you do? Who do you call? Amy has the answers to all these difficult situations. 

Presented by Amy McEntee, Publisher at RCL Benziger.

The Digital Continent

Este taller invita a los participantes a explorar cómo la Iglesia Católica puede anunciar el Evangelio con autenticidad y esperanza en la cultura digital.   Arraigado en la enseñanza de la Iglesia y en la práctica pastoral, examinará cómo los espacios digitales pueden convertirse en lugares de encuentro genuino, acompañamiento y discipulado misionero. Los participantes reflexionarán sobre lo que significa estar plenamente presentes —fieles, humanos e intencionales— al utilizar herramientas digitales para renovar la vida católica y el testimonio en el mundo moderno.

Presented by Marilyn Santos, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Prácticas Efectivas para Cómo Seleccionar y Utilizar Recursos Digitales (Español)

El mundo digital abunda de muchos recursos, y nuestro papel es saber qué contenido es apropiado para nuestra comunidad/audiencia. En este taller, exploramos algunas prácticas recomendadas para cómo seleccionar y utilizar recursos digitales en nuestras comunidades ministeriales.

Presented by Bertha Peralta-Rodriguez, Project Consultant and Coordinator of the Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis program in Spanish for the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL).

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Our children are growing up in a world unlike any before it.  In this law enforcement–based awareness talk, Officer Alan Cybulski helps parents navigate social media, gaming, and emerging online risks with clarity and confidence, offering practical guidance to protect their children while preserving trust and healthy communication at home.

Presented by Officer Alan Cybulski, Town of Greenwich.

Track 3

Envolvendo Famílias e Jovens no Ambiente Digital (Portuguese)

Esta sessão é uma conversa dinâmica e prática, voltada para famílias e líderes de ministério que buscam soluções reais, não mais tarefas ou sobrecarga. Com base em iniciativas inovadoras desenvolvidas pelo Instituto de Formação Católica da Diocese de Bridgeport, a palestrante apresentará programas concretos, recursos adaptáveis e ferramentas inteligentes que já estão dando resultados em paróquias e dioceses. Os participantes verão como trabalhar de forma mais estratégica, aproveitar a criatividade e a tecnologia, e levar consigo ideias que podem adaptar, replicar ou aprimorar com confiança em seus próprios contextos ministeriais.

Presented by Priscilla Wanderley, Institute for Catholic Formation in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Resilient Ministry for a Busy, Tech-Saturated World

Explore tools for cultivating resilience, maintaining peace, and staying rooted in prayer while navigating the fast-paced and ever-changing demands of ministry in the age of smartphones and Artificial Intelligence. This session will include practical and spiritual suggestions for creating rhythms of rest and silence, strategies for intentional use of and appropriate boundaries for technology, and guidance on how to abide in God’s love and peace through the ups and downs of the day and year.

Presented by Patrick Manning, PhD., Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and the Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University.

Who Are the Saintly Seven?

Learn about the seven Black Catholic Americans on the path to sainthood. At present, there are no canonized African American saints. However, the Church honors many Black saints from other nations, including St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Martin de Porres, St. Monica of Hippo, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Charles Lwanga, among others. These holy men and women bear witness to the global richness of Black Catholic spirituality and sanctity. Currently, seven African American men and women are on the path toward sainthood. Each has demonstrated a life of virtue and deep faith, and their causes have been officially opened. Their lives stand as powerful testimonies to the pursuit of racial justice and reconciliation—both within the Church and in the broader society. 

Presented by Fr. Kareem Smith, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament in New Rochelle, NY.

Accompanying Children and Families Outside "Normal" Faith Formation

What do we do when a child shows up at 13-years old and has not made any of their sacraments? Do we stick them in faith formation with second graders and hope for the best? Do we close the door to them because they do not neatly fit in our preexisting faith formation structures?  This workshop will address the ins and outs of sacramental preparation (Order of Christian Initiation for Children of Catechetical Age) and faith formation for just these kinds of unique sacramental situations.  Children of Catechetical Age means any child between the ages of 7 and 18. You will walk away from this workshop with a concrete plan on how to accompany these children and families who are seeking to make sacraments and deepen their faith in God. 

Colin Petramale, college, high school, retreat, and parish minister.

Leading Parish Communities in Hybrid Ministry

From livestreamed liturgies to online small groups, discover how to integrate in-person and digital ministry for stronger, more connected parish life.

Presented by Sean Fitzgerald, Director of Ministry Consulting at the Augustine Institute. 

Digital Sabbath: Finding Rest in a Connected World

Practical and spiritual guidance on creating rhythms of rest and silence, offering strategies for disconnecting from technology to reconnect with God, family, and community.

Presented by Luigi Manente, Office of the Guilds.

Developing a Critical Eye, Using Catholic Values to Evaluate Digital Resources

How do I know a resource adheres to the teachings of the Magisterium? Which non-Catholic resources are worth considering?

Presented by Lynn M. Wilson, M.S. Ed., Sadlier Publishing.

How to Apply for JPII Fund - Grant Workshop

A 15-20 minute “how to apply” workshop for ministry leaders to learn how to make the most of the JPII Fund for Faith Formation grant opportunity.

Presented by Carol Incarnacao-Schirm, Associate Director for Grants & Communications at Foundations in Faith.

Digital Hospitality: Welcome the Stranger

When it comes to the digital world, folks struggle to combine it with the Parish Website. Here is where we can use this software to reach another group of parishioners who know how to use a computer or mobile devices. How about helping the ordinary parishioner to learn how to connect to the parish website? Let’s test these ideas using the Church's strength in Evangelization. 

Presented by Juan Rodriguez, Youth Minister Consultant and Founder of the Youth & Young Adult Apostolate - Defenders of the Holy Trinity. 

Fomentando la cultura católica en casa (Español)

“La creación de una cultura católica en el hogar” es un taller oral de 30 minutos, con 15 minutos de P&R, que ayuda a los participantes a construir una vida católica alegre, realista y fiel en el hogar—sin importar la situación familiar. Fundado en la Sagrada Escritura y el Catecismo, presenta el hogar como “Iglesia doméstica” y ofrece cinco pilares prácticos: oración, vida sacramental (especialmente la Misa dominical y la Confesión), virtud y discipulado, caridad y misión, y un ritmo litúrgico marcado por el domingo, los tiempos y los sacramentales. El taller nombra obstáculos comunes sin culpabilizar, enseña la “reparación y misericordia” mediante el perdón y la reconciliación, guía un ejercicio sencillo de “regla de vida familiar”, e incluye una oración final y envío misionero para vivir el hogar como un lugar donde Jesús es recibido, amado y compartido.

Presented by Deacon Edward Carrillo.

The Digital Continent (Español)

Este taller invita a los participantes a explorar cómo la Iglesia Católica puede anunciar el Evangelio con autenticidad y esperanza en la cultura digital.   Arraigado en la enseñanza de la Iglesia y en la práctica pastoral, examinará cómo los espacios digitales pueden convertirse en lugares de encuentro genuino, acompañamiento y discipulado misionero. Los participantes reflexionarán sobre lo que significa estar plenamente presentes —fieles, humanos e intencionales— al utilizar herramientas digitales para renovar la vida católica y el testimonio en el mundo moderno.

Presented by Marilyn Santos, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Integrating Digital Approaches in Faith Formation with Families & All Ages

This session will explore a variety of ways to develop faith formation programming - with families and age groups (especially adults) — that integrate digital platforms, media, and tools into the design of a program — not as an add-on, but as an integral feature of the program. The goal is to use digital approaches to expand the possibilities of reaching and engaging people in faith formation. 

Presented by John Roberto, Executive Director of the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL).

Finding Your Why 

Finding Your Why is a formation session that helps ministry leaders rediscover the deeper purpose that drives their work. Inspired by the leadership insights of Simon Sinek and the missionary vision of Evangelii Gaudium, it moves participants beyond programs to purpose. Leaders leave with renewed clarity and a vision rooted in faith and mission.

Presented by Ela Milewska, Director of Evangelization for the Franciscan Friars of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Our children are growing up in a world unlike any before it.  In this law enforcement–based awareness talk, Officer Alan Cybulski helps parents navigate social media, gaming, and emerging online risks with clarity and confidence, offering practical guidance to protect their children while preserving trust and healthy communication at home.

Presented by Officer Alan Cybulski, Town of Greenwich.

Building Catholic Culture

This workshop offers practical strategies to guide families in fostering a growing presence of faith within their existing daily and weekly routines. Drawing from First Witnesses and the Church’s vision of parents as primary witnesses, the session emphasizes that faith is handed on and nurtured through lived example. Participants will receive concrete, sustainable practices, such as creating “silent homilies” through sacred images in the home, using intentional conversation starters, and listening frameworks, sharing personal stories of faith, and incorporating simple prayer opportunities, that can be easily shared with parents and implemented without adding burden to busy schedules. Attendees will leave equipped with accessible resources and clear next steps to confidently support families in cultivating joyful, Christ-centered homes.

Presented by Todd T. Kellogg, M.Cat., LMFT, BCBA, Program Coordinator for First Witnesses, an initiative of the Institute for Catholic Formation at the Diocese of Bridgeport; Parish Catechetical Leader at St. Stephen.