Workshops: FOCUS 2002

FOCUS on Faith

F-1
4:15
Global Solidarity: Building Bridges Toward Peace
Solidarity is needed in our world now more than ever. Karin and Mike will discuss how to forge relationships that cross barriers of race, class, and geography. Lets talk about the challenges and gifts associated with creating a renewed sense of global interdependence and building bridges.

Ms. Karin McClelland-Anderer, is currently the Midwest Recruiter for the Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful (MMAF) and studying for her master of Divinity at Catholic Theological Union. She has worked with families in the South Bronx, and directed a national faith-based volunteer program.

Mr. Mike McClelland-Anderer is an administrator and teacher at the San Miguel Middle School in the Back of the Yards. He has been an educator and community organizer in inner-city neighborhoods across the country for the past 12 years.

F-2
4:15
Our Daily LivesàSacred Enough Ground for the Journey
We live in challenging times! Finding balance is difficult in the midst of the demands of our lives and concerns for the world. Give yourself time to go inside for a while. Slow down. Wake Up. Light the fire! Cultivate a spirituality that recognizes a God who is there at each turn of the road.

Sr. Mary Ruth Broz, RSM is co-director of Wellstreams, a Center of Feminine Spirituality in Chicago. She has a master's from The Jesuit School of Theology and a doctorate of Ministry from St. Mary of the Lake. She helps people connect faith and life.

F-3
2:30 & 4:15
The Creed: A Prescription for Living
Do you ever feel like you missed the class where they taught the basics of Catholicism? You're not alone! In a creative, reflective way, Johnpaul will lead a discussion on Catholic beliefs and traditions, and what is truly the Catholic faith.

Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM is an ordained Franciscan Friar of the Sacred Heart Province. He holds a master's in Counseling & Liturgy and Marriage & Family Counseling, and a doctorate in Theology. He also works as a spiritual associate at several parishes.

F-4
4:15
Catholics on the Fringe: Recovering, Curious, Disenfranchised, Wanna-be, Returning and/or Confused Young Adult Catholics
Many of us are curious about the Catholic faith. Some want to know more, to go beyond what we learned as kids, and to get answers. Others are searching for a reason to return to more active participation, or see if Catholicism is for them. Come to discuss these issues and more.

Fr. John Cusick is the Director of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago and resides at Old St. Patrick's Church. Ordained in 1970, he was a faculty member of Niles College Seminary and was associate pastor of Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge for 7 years.

F-5
2:30
Eucharist: Becoming Christ's Body in the World
When Catholic's come to the table of the Lord, we enter into communion with God and one another. What a gift, and what a mystery! Kate will discuss the evolution of the sacrament of Eucharist, Catholic beliefs about it, and God's call to become the Body of Christ in the World.

Ms. Kate DeVries has been the Associate Director of the Young Adult Ministry Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago for over 13 years. Before working in the Young Adult Office, she was a special education teacher. Kate holds a master's in Divinity from Catholic Theological Union.

F-6
2:30
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Spiritual People
Recognizing that all people are "hard-wired" for spirituality, this session will help you get plugged in, recharged, and energized to be the spiritual being you are meant to be.

Ms. Julie Gruszka works for O'Connor Partners as an IT&Telco/Office Administrator. She has been volunteering with Young Adult Ministry for 5 years, and instrumental in organizing the FOCUS conference the past 3 years.

Mr. Jim Doherty just completed his first year at Mundelein Seminary. Previously he was VP of Marketing for a hotel chain. He credits the World's Largest Block Party and Theology-on-Tap for helping him re-connect with his faith.

F-7
4:15
Finding Your Place in the Catholic Church
Do you need a social life? Want to share your time and skills? Are you looking to grow? How about getting more involved with the Church? Come to discuss how to get connected, find others to share your faith with, and learn strategies for fuller participation in the Church.

Ms. Michelle Doyle is a CPA for McCullough, Rossi & Co., Ltd. She has much volunteer experience, including directing Volunteers-in-Action for the Young Adult Ministry Office. She serves on the Finance Committee and as chairperson for fundraising at Old St. Patrick's Church.

F-8
2:30
Catholics in Conversation with Muslims and Fundamentalists
It took 400 years for Catholics to respond creatively to modernity. How are Muslims and fundamentalists reacting to the modern era? Can Catholics talk to Muslims and to fundamentalists?

Mr. Bill Droel is a part-time Pastoral Associate at Sacred Heart in Palos Hills and is an instructor at Moraine Valley Community College. Bill has been involved in ecumenical groups for 34 years.

F-9
2:30
Laborers in the Vineyard
Working for the Church can be a labor of love, accompanied by fun times, intense heat, unexpected droughts, discernment of good and bad grapes, and delicious surprises. Diane will discuss working for the Catholic Church in professional or volunteer ministry.

Ms. Diane Michutka Fraser is Associate Director of Charis Ministries, a young adult outreach program of the Chicago Jesuits. She holds an undergraduate degree in communications from Eastern Michigan University and a master's degree from the Washington Theological Union.

F-10
4:15
Catholics and Muslims in Dialogue
This workshop will consist of "Islam 101," a brief discussion of Catholic-Muslim relations. A significant amount of time will be given for questions and answers. Come for a real dialogue.

Ms. Rita George is the Associate Director of Archdiocese Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. She has a master's in Theological Studies from Weston Jesuit School of Theology with a specialization on Catholic-Muslim relations.

Dr. Hasham A. Hassaballa has been an active member of the Catholic-Muslim Dialogue between the Archdiocese and the Council of Islamic Organizations for several years. Dr. Hassaballa is an internal-medicine resident at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's.

F-11
2:30
Suffering: A Catholic Response
The story of Job wrestles with the question of why bad things happen to good people and has challenged, perplexed and comforted readers for 3,000 years. We will explore a Catholic response to suffering, which moves us to more radically place our faith in God alone.

Mr. Al Gustafson is the Director of the Crossroads Institute and a founding partner of the Career Transitions Center of Chicago. He is an adjunct professor at Benedictine University and president of a private foundation for young children at risk.

F-12
2:30
Cyber-Connections for Everyday Faith
Where are spiritual resources that can help make faith relevant to everyday life? Where is good, Catholic information that speaks our language? What are other young adults saying about faith? Mike Hayes will suggest resources, including the Paulist young adult site: bustedhalo.com.

Mr. Mike Hayes is the Associate Director of the Paulist Young Adult Ministry and the Operations Director of their internet venture bustedhalo.com. He first got involved in young adult ministry as a student at Fordham University. Previously, he was a radio sportscaster.

F-13
4:15
GORP - God's Options Require Passion
Do you have a passion for life? Vocations are God's options for life and discernment is the way to know where God is calling you. Could religious life be where your passion can be fanned into flame? Sign-up for a fun filled 1 à hours to discover the joy of discernment.

Sr. Peter Mary Hettling, C.S.J. is Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago. The other presenters are all vocation directors from religious communities coming from different lives: a hydraulic engineer, a teamster, and a horticulturist. They met on the trail marked Religious Life.

F-14
4:15
When Life Becomes Broken and Fragmentedà
àWhere do you turn? Have you ever found the need for healing in your life? When you have offended others, have you found it difficult to approach them and say "I'm sorry"? Come to explore these and other issues related to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Fr. Frank Jenks is pastor of Ascension parish in Oak Park, where he has directed adult retreats and formation days. He previously worked at St. Mary of Vernon, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Our Lady of Wayside parishes.

F-15
4:15
Practical Prayer in Everyday Life
Do you have difficulty finding time to pray? Do you often ask yourself, "where do I begin?" Discover practical ways of integrating prayer into everyday life. Learn to pray by using scripture, song or by simply having a conversation with God.

Ms. Beth Knobbe is a benefits consultant with Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire, IL. In her spare time, she enjoys tutoring, reading, and bicycling. She is an active member of Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago.

F-16
2:30
Choosing Jesus As Your Spiritual Guide
So much has been written and said about Jesus that it is often easy to confuse the teaching about Jesus with the teachings of Jesus. Drawing from the Gospels, this workshop will focus on "the Jesus method" for spiritual growth, and the wisdom of this extraordinary spiritual teacher.

Mr. Bob Kolatorowicz directs programs in spirituality at Old St. Patrick's Church linking contemplative spirituality and action on behalf of social justice. He has degrees in Urban Studies, Philosophy and Theology. He lectures at local colleges and leads workshops and retreats.

F-17
2:30
Who Me, Evangelize?
The call of our Baptism is to share the Good News. What does this mean at home, at work, in one's relationships? Evangelization isn't the work of the few, it is for all of us. Learn some practical tips on how to live out your Baptism.

Ms. Dawn Mayer is currently a Pastoral Associate at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, and Holy Family Parish in Inverness. Previously, she was the Associate Director of the Office for Evangelization. Dawn also co-hosts a radio program with Fr. Pat Brennan.

F-18
4:15
The Many Paths
Did you know that there are more than 4,200 religions and faith groups in the world? Or that Christians make up 33% of the world's population? Or that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world? Join us to explore and discuss the beliefs and traditions of major world religions.

Fr. Paul Novak, O.S.M., who was ordained a Servite priest in 1990, is presently on the faculty of De LaSalle Institute, and assists at Old St. Patrick's Church. He has done vocation ministry for his religious order, and was an Associate Pastor at St. Domitilla in Hillside.

F-19
2:30
Contemplative and Ordinary: A Primer for Those Seeking God in Their Everyday Life
Contemplation is the way that we know with our hearts the presence of God in our lives. We will look at the works of Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Tom Stella, Kathleen Norris, Paul Wilkes and others who have gifted us with their wisdom about contemplative life outside monastery walls.

Mr. Tim O'Brien is the Executive Director of The Crossroads Center for Faith and Work, an adjunct professor of non-profit management at Spirtus College. He holds a bachelor's in Accounting & Business and a master's in Organization Development.

F-20
4:15
Defending Human Dignity: The Foundation of Social Justice
At the heart of Catholic social teaching is a profound respect for the dignity of the human person. This workshop will explore the social justice implications of topics often viewed as only "personal" or "private" such as sexuality and abortion.

Ms. Nora O'Callaghan is an Attorney and Director of the Respect Life Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She oversees activities and educational efforts in Catholic churches and schools on the consistent ethic of life, and is the pro-life spokesperson for the Archdiocese.

F-21
4:15
Why Christians Should Bother with the Old Testament
The Old Testament is packed with issues that speak to life today. Let's enjoy cherishing God as we are cherished, listening to the voice that speaks within, acknowledging isolation and loneliness when separated from love, and reflecting on what opens our hearts.

Sr. Mary Ellen O'Dea is a Dominican Sister, and has worked as a teacher, principal, director of family religious education, facilitator of small faith communities, university chaplain, and Scripture free lance speaker. Presently, she works as a spirituality coordinator.

F-22
2:30
Five Points of Light
For 2000 years, the Catholic tradition has sought to express itself in meaningful fashion to its contemporary culture. Examining how this was done in five different eras may help us to understand our part and to boldly reformulate our faith today.

Fr. William O'Shea is currently pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville. He taught scripture and ethics at Rosary College and grew up in St. Philip Neri parish in Chicago.

F-23
4:15
"Simply Lupe" Woman of Color, Woman of Power
Join us for a critical assessment of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" (Lupe) and the implications for women and men in the Church. Come learn about "Lupe" and her message. Lupe: Young, Latina, Pregnant and with an Attitude! Your typical "church lady?"

Mr. Javier Orozco, S.F.O. is a lay minister at DePaul University where he coordinates Residence Hall ministry. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Religious Studies department. His professional training is in Classical Philosophy, Theology and Pastoral Ministry.

F-24
4:15
Finding Peace of Mind in Our Crazy, Mixed Up World
In a world shaken since 9/11, we will explore how we are called to act through reflection on Scripture so that we can best serve God with our gifts. We will also examine resources for getting involved in peace and justice activities.

Mr. William Purcell is the Director of the Office for Peace and Justice at the Archdiocese of Chicago. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Divinity from the University of Notre Dame, where he has assisted in teaching Theology. Bill is married with 2 children.

F-25
2:30 & 4:15
A Catholic Response to World Tragedies for Sure! Excuse Me, and what about Other Faith Responses?
Truth claims by major faith groups, what they teach their members about others and how they evangelize have cascading effects on world events. Catholics in relationship with other faith groups have a role in the social construction of a preferred future. What might that be?

Fr. Bob Richter is a program evaluator for National Guard at-risk youth programs, previously he served as Associate Pastor and as a US Army chaplain. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. Currently he is in residence at a parish in Maryland.

F-26
2:30
Is Your Liturgyà'Catholic'?
Our Eucharistic Liturgy gathers all people before God and one another to give thanks. We will explore the implications of planning and celebrating Catholic liturgy in the U.S. Come to experience musical, linguistic and cultural treasures that others bring or that we inherit from other countries.

Mr. Ed Rivera is the Director of Liturgy and Music at Providence of God Church in East Pilsen and is the Director of Second Sunday Convivencia a ministry for Catholic Young Adult Latinos. Ed completed his undergraduate studies in Theology and Philosophy at Loyola University.

F-27
2:30
God's Word: Episode II - The New Testament
Do you want to make the Bible an important part of your spiritual life? How do you start reading it? Where do you begin? What basic information would help you appreciate it more? We'll begin with the New Testament and learn how the Word of God can inform and inspire our lives.

Mr. Eric Schwister is a Campus Minister at the Illinois Institute of Technology and is completing a master's degree in the New Testament. He is married and has two sons.

F-28
2:30
The Fundamentals of Judaism
Steve will present an introduction to the traditions and faith of modern Judaism. He will address Judaism from the Roman occupation of ancient Israel at the time of Jesus to the destruction of the Second Temple. There will be a discussion about the current Middle East situation.

Mr. Steve Smith practices law and teaches at the Northwestern University School of Law. He is a board member and past President of the First Friday Club of Chicago. Steve is a leader in the Jewish-Catholic Couples in Dialogue group and is married with three children.

F-29
2:30
Pray All-Ways
Is your prayer life in a rut? Last year's FOCUS keynoter, Michael will help open your heart to a richer communication with God. Fr. Michael will explore techniques and practical styles of prayer that illustrate how we can take the ordinary experiences of our lives to God.

Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ is a retreat master, storyteller, actor, director, writer, and spiritual leader. He is the Director of Charis Ministries, the Ignatian spirituality for young adults. He holds a MFA from Yale, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Mary of the Lake.

F-30
4:15
How Religion Works
Whether you are Catholic, Buddhist or a Druid, religions all function the same way. Enrich your own Catholicism by better understanding the mythic foundations on which it stands. Santa Claus will be present and all Druids are welcome!

Fr. Michael Wanda is the associate pastor at St. Louise de Marillac in La Grange Park, IL. Michael has been a speaker for Young Adult Ministry for several years. His talks have covered such diverse topics as ecclesiology, Christology, and sacramental theology.

F-31
4:15
Everything I Need to Know about Liturgy I Learned at Thanksgiving Dinner
How does the family of God gather for family meals? Explore the heart and warmth of authentic Liturgy and the spirit that moves us beyond ritual to a deep relationship with a loving God. We'll use the Family Feast as the model set forth by Christ, through which the Church gives thanks.

Mr. Elliot Wimbush is a speaker, musician and leader of worship in the Archdiocese of Chicago and nationwide. Elliot's passion for the Word and God's people, has fueled 15 years in pastoral ministry. He is celebrating the release of his album, "Here's One."